Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1426592 - H Castillo Paint Contractor

Inspection Information - Office: Houston North Area Office

Investigation Summary

AN EMPLOYEE WAS MOVING AN ALUMINUM LADDER ALONG THE OUTSIDE OF A BUILDING. HE HAD BEEN CAULKING THE BUILDING SO THAT HE COULD PAINT IT. WHEN THE EMPLOYEE WAS MOVING THE LADDER, IT CONTACTED A 35,000-VOLT OVERHEAD POWER LINE. HE WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND, AND THE LADDER BECAME WELDED TO THE POWER LINE WITH ITS FEET ON THE GROUND. THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY AND THREE OTHER EMPLOYEES HEARD A LOUD ZAP AND CAME RUNNING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. A FEW FEET FROM THE LADDER, THE OWNER STARTED TO ASSIST THE INJURED EMPLOYEE. HE RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRIC FIELD GRADIENTS IN THE EARTH AND WAS ELECTROCUTED. ANOTHER EMPLOYEE, WHO WAS STANDING NEARBY, WAS UNABLE TO MOVE HIS FEET AND RECEIVED ELECTRIC BURNS.

Keywords: ELECTRICAL, LADDER, ELECTRIC SHOCK, BURN, ELECTROCUTED, OVERHEAD POWER LINE, E C, METAL LADDER, POTENTIAL GRADIENT