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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1471894.015 - Power Electronics Usa, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Bakersfield District Office
Site Address:
Power Electronics Usa, Inc.
15241 Lost Hills Rd.
Lost Hills, CA 93249
Mailing Address:
1510 N Hobson St., Gilbert, AZ 85233
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 221114
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 09/10/2020
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 10/02/2020
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 1559818 | ||
| Inspection | 1472213 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $16,200 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $16,200 |
| Current Penalty | $16,200 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $16,200 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citation Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 29400002 B | 09/10/2020 | 09/22/2020 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | Z - Issued |
Investigation Summary
On March 17, 2020, a Service Technician (Employee #1), with the assistance of a second Service Technician (Employee #2), was assigned to repair a fault on an inverter system that was part of a solar power plant. They replaced an Inverter 2.2 (#6) card on the #4 DU Disconnect Switch of the deenergized system. At 5:30 p.m., the system was energized to check the reading from the inverter card inside the cabinet. They found that the card had a bad reading. The employees then started conducting a job briefing in front of the live open panel box in close proximity to energized parts, to determine the next steps of the troubleshooting. They discussed that the cable connection at the card was possibly not making good contact. They were going to disconnect and test the cable. Employee #1 reached in and inadvertently moved the inverter card that was still unscrewed. The card fell off, touching the ground on the inverter and causing an arc flash. The voltage at the system was 690 Volts AC. Employee #1 was not wearing gloves, eye or face protection. Employee #2 was standing next to him and was wearing eye protection but no gloves or face protection. They were both wearing fire resistant clothing. Employee #1 suffered serious first and second degree burns to his face, left hand, and eyes. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment for about a week. Employee #2 received minor burns to the left hand and face. He was treated without hospitalization.
Keywords: Burn, Electric Arc Flash, Electrical Fault, Energized, Eye, Eye protection, Face, Glove, Hand, Panel, Power Plant, Protective Clothing, Reaching, Repair, Service Technician, Troubleshooting
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1471894.015 | 24 | M | Hospitalized injury | Electricians |