Inspection Detail

Inspection: 108160912 - Charles Beecroft Trenching, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Arizona Division Of Occupational Safety And Health (Adosh)

Investigation Summary

A HELPER WAS WORKING WITH A JOURNEYMAN POWER LINE WORKER AT AN ELECTRIC SWITCHING CABINET. THE EMPLOYEES WERE TO REPLACE FOUR 1/0, 12470/7200-VOLT CONDUCTORS THAT TERMINATED AT THE CABINET. ONE A-PHASE CONDUCTOR WAS LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CABINET. ANOTHER A-PHASE CONDUCTOR AND THE B- AND C-PHASE CONDUCTORS WERE LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CABINET. THE HELPER WAS SENT FOR RUBBER BLANKETS, WHICH WERE PLACED OVER THE A AND B PHASES ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CABINET. THE C PHASE WAS NOT COVERED. THE SWITCHES FOR THE CONDUCTORS WERE OPENED AND TAGGED. THE JOURNEYMAN THEN INSTALLED THE GROUND CABLES AND CUT ALL FOUR CONDUCTORS. A TWO-PERSON CREW AT A SPLICE PIT REQUESTED THE CABLE CUTTERS THE JOURNEYMAN HAD BEEN USING, AND THE HELPER WAS SENT TO TAKE THE CUTTERS TO THE OTHER CREW. WHILE THE HELPER WAS GONE, THE JOURNEYMAN MOVED FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CABINET TO THE NORTH SIDE. WHILE HE WAS WORKING THERE, THE HELPER RETURNED AND CONTACTED THE ENERGIZED FEEDER BLADE FOR THE C-PHASE CONDUCTOR. HE RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK AND SEVERE BURNS. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A BURN CENTER, WHERE HE DIED OF HIS INJURIES.

Keywords: ELEC PROTECT EQUIP, E GI III, ELECTRICAL, ELECTROCUTED, PANELBOARD, ELECTRICAL WORK, UNTRAINED