Inspection Detail

Inspection: 15044639 - Publishers Paper Co

Inspection Information - Office: Or-E-Salem 1054100

Investigation Summary

An employee at a paper mill was replacing a fuse in a type W Westinghouse SEZE 1 combination motor controller/starter located in the plant's motor control center. Before opening the starter, the employee had opened an external switch. However, he did not know that the switch had malfunctioned and had not deenergized the circuit. When he was replacing a 20-ampere fuse, the employee caused an electrical fault on two phases of the 480-volt, three-phase circuit with the screwdriver he was using. (Because of the design of the starter, it was impossible for him to use his nonconductive fuse puller.) The ensuing electric arc burned the employee. He was hospitalized with first- and second-degree burns on his face, neck, and hands.

Keywords: BURN, FUSE, ELECTRIC ARC, E GI IV, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRICAL WORK, LOCKOUT, ELECTRICAL CABINET, ELECTRICAL FAULT