Inspection Detail

Inspection: 307596296 - Dow Chemical, Gulf Coast Pipeline

Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on August 11, 2004, Employee #1, of MP Dumesnil Construction, was helping to install a new water line under a highway intersection. A natural gas pipeline that belonged to Dow Chemical also ran under the intersection. Employee #2, who worked for Dow, was there to make sure the pipeline was not damaged. A coworker using heavy equipment to dig a trench came too close to a power pole and undermined it. This caused an energized 28-kilovolt overhead power line to drop to the ground, striking Employees #1 and #2 as it fell. Employee #2 was killed; Employee #1 sustained second- and third-degree burns and was hospitalized.

Keywords: CLEARANCE, OVERHEAD POWER LINE, WORK RULES, ELECTRIC SHOCK, ELECTROCUTED, CONSTRUCTION, ELEC CIRC PART--MISC, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT