Inspection Detail

Inspection: 307051243 - The Heffron Company, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

On October 2, 2003, Employee #1 was installing evaporator tubing under the first floor of a building for a refrigerant leak detection system. He was routing the tubing over HVAC duct work in the mechanical room, and had to climb on the duct work and around the refrigeration piping system. He apparently fell against a water valve, causing water to pour out and saturate the area. Coworkers heard water gushing from the valve and rushed to the scene. At that same time, Employee #1 contacted an energized metal pipe hanger that had previously been installed. The coworkers realized he was being shocked and contacted an electrician to cut off the power to the room. Cowoerks then retrieved Employee #1 and performed CPR until medical personnel arrivewd. Employee #1 was transported to the local hospital, where he died. The metal hanger was anchored into the concrete decking for the first floor. The hanger had contacted a conductor that was installed in the PVC piping in the concrete deck when it was installed. When the building's power was turned on, approximately a month before the accident, the metal hanger became energized because all the conductors were routed through the floor in PVC pipe.

Keywords: INSTALLING, CPR, WORK RULES, ELECTROCUTED, STRUCK AGAINST, CONSTRUCTION, ELEC CIRC PART--MISC, ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, WATER