Inspection Detail

Inspection: 307168658 - Metal Etc Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

At or about or about 9:22 (a.m. or p.m. was not specified) on May 26, 2006, three employees, employed by Metals Etc, Inc., were panel that were in close proximity of the energized buss bars within the electrical panel. The employees cut the six wires using a metal housed, claw type metal shearer, a cutting tool that utilized both hydraulic pressure and 220 volts of electricity for cutting power. The metal shearer weighed 40 pounds and was approximately 2 feet in length. One employee was standing on a 6 foot fiberglass ladder in front of the electrical panel to cut the copper wires, while the second employee was standing in between, and to the side of the electrical panel and the ladder, with both of his arms stretched upwards to support the front of the 40 pound metal shearer six copper wires and either made inadvertent contact with the energized buss bars or, the claws of the shearer were in such close proximity to the energized buss bars that it caused an electrical explosion. Although it was determined, the six copper wires that they were cutting, were not energized, the buss bars within the electrical panel were energized with 440 volts. The Safety Supervisor of the of the two laborers stated that he had a conversation with another company's employee the day before the accident happened at the job site. He stated that the electrical power was cut off within the electrical panel. The employee of the other company denied making that statement. Working under the assumption that the panel was not energized, the Safety Administrator instructed his employees to cut the six copper wires. The Safety Administrator of the two injured employees also stated that he did not test the panel to determine if the panel was energized or not energized, nor did he instruct his employees to test the panel to determine if the panel was energized, or not energized, prior to commencing work and instructing his employees to cut the wires that were in the electrical panel. As a result of the electrical explosion, both laborers received 2nd and 3rd degree burns to their face, neck, chest and arms of their bodies. The Safety Administrator also received splatter burns to his face and arms. After the accident, emergency medical assistance was called. The fire fighters and paramedics arrived shortly after the call. The injured laborers were stabilized and transported by the paramedics to County USC Medical Center Hospital, where they were admitted for days and transferred to Grossmans Burn Center for further treatment. Conclusions: As a result of the investigation, the following conclusions were arrived at: 1) two of the employees working as laborers, were not properly trained to work in electrical panels. 2) The electrical panel was not tested, prior to performing work to determine if it was energized or not energized. 3) The electrical panel was not locked by positive methods or procedures to prevent the unexpected or inadvertent energizing of equipment or appliance. 4) The casual factor leading to the accident was the fact that the metal cutting shearers made inadvertent contact with the buss bars or that they were so close to the buss bars that caused and electrical arc.

Keywords: BURN, CHEST, ELECTRIC ARC, METAL BAR, LADDER, EXPLOSION, NECK, ARM, FACE, UNTRAINED