Inspection Detail

Inspection: 15004302 - Carolina Power & Light Company

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Raleigh

Investigation Summary

A LINEMAN WITH AN ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPANY RESPONDED TO A TROUBLE CALL DURING A SEVERE WEATHER PERIOD. HE WAS TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF A POWER OUTAGE TO TWO RESIDENCES AND MAKE ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS. WORKING ALONE, THE EMPLOYEE HAD TO CHANGE THE FUSE IN AN ELECTRICAL CUTOUT. THE LINEMAN WAS WORKING FROM THE GROUND USING A 40-FOOT FIBERGLASS EXTENDO ROD (HOT-STICK). THE AREA WAS WET FROM HEAVY RAINS. AS THE EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING THE FUSE, THE ENERGIZED PHASE CONDUCTOR INADVERTENTLY MADE CONTACT WITH A METAL BRACKET ON THE POLE CAUSING CURRENT FROM THE 13,200-VOLT CONDUCTOR TO GO TO GROUND THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE ON THE POLE. THE CURRENT ENERGIZED THE AREA AROUND THE POLE AND RENDERED THE EMPLOYEE UNCONSCIOUS. HE FELL INTO 2 FEET OF WATER AND DROWNED.

Keywords: OVERHEAD POWER LINE, ELECTRICAL, POWER LINE WORKER, POTENTIAL GRADIENT, E PTD, ELEC UTILITY WORK, SYSTEM GROUNDING, DROWN