Inspection Detail

Inspection: 14980239 - Williams Electric Company

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Raleigh

Investigation Summary

AN EMPLOYEE WORKING ALONE WAS ATTACHING 120-VOLT CONDUCTORS TO AN ENERGIZED TRANSFORMER MOUNTED ON A CONCRETE PAD AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE. HE WAS WORKING IN A SQUATTING OR KNEELING POSITION ON MUDDY EARTH IN FRONT OF THE TRANSFORMER. THERE WAS A SHALLOW TRENCH 30 TO 36 INCHES DEEP AND 6 TO 8 INCHES WIDE FOR UNDERGROUND CONDUCTORS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE EMPLOYEE'S POSITION. HE WAS WEARING RUBBER GLOVES WITH LEATHER PROTECTORS. NO INSULATION WAS PROVIDED ON THE SPADE LUGS TO WHICH THE CONDUCTORS WERE BEING ATTACHED. USING A HAND WRENCH TO TIGHTEN THE BOLTS INSIDE THE TRANSFORMER, HE HAD MADE THE TWO LINE CONNECTIONS AND APPARENTLY WAS BOLTING THE THREE NEUTRAL CONDUCTORS TO THE NEUTRAL SPADE WHEN HIS BODY CONTACTED ONE OR BOTH OF THE ENERGIZED SPADE LUGS. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING HIM STAND UP, STAGGER AWAY FROM THE TRANSFORMER, AND FALL TO THE GROUND; HOWEVER, NO ONE REPORTED SEEING THE ACTUAL MOMENT OF CONTACT WITH ENERGIZED PARTS. A FOOT-PRINT-SIZED SECTION OF DISPLACED SOIL AT THE LIP OF THE TRENCH INDICATED THAT HIS LEFT FOOT MAY HAVE SLIPPED INTO THE TRENCH, CAUSING HIM TO FALL INTO THE TRANSFORMER. HE HAD ELECTRICAL BURNS ON HIS UPPER ABDOMEN AND RIGHT FOREARM.

Keywords: ELECTRICAL, ELECTROCUTED, SLIP, E PTD, ELEC UTILITY WORK, TRANSFORMER