Inspection Detail

Inspection: 108904657 - Jersey Central Power & Light Co.

Inspection Information - Office: Avenel Area Office

Investigation Summary

A TWO-PERSON ELECTRIC UTILITY CREW WAS ASSIGNED TO REPAIR AN OVERHEAD POWER LINE. THE CENTER PHASE CONDUCTOR OF THE 7200-VOLT, THREE-PHASE OVERHEAD LINE WAS OPEN, AND ONE END OF THIS CONDUCTOR WAS HANGING DOWN OVER A TREE ABOUT 6 FEET FROM THE GROUND. THE OTHER END OF THE CONDUCTOR WAS STILL IN A TREE. THE CREW CHIEF OPENED THE SUPPLY SIDE OF THE CENTER PHASE AND ONE OUTSIDE PHASE CONDUCTOR BY OPENING THE CORRESPONDING FUSED CUTOUTS. THE OTHER PHASE CONDUCTOR WAS LEFT ENERGIZED SINCE IT FED TWO BUILDINGS AND DID NOT EXTEND TO THE POLE WHERE THE BREAK WAS. THE CREW CHIEF TOLD THE OTHER POWER LINE WORKER TO DON HIS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND TO GO UP IN AN AERIAL LIFT TO REPAIR THE CONDUCTOR. THE CREW CHIEF THEN GOT SPLICING TOOLS AND A COIL OF WIRE AND WENT TO THE CONDUCTOR THAT WAS HANGING DOWN FROM THE TREE. WITHOUT USING ELECTRICAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, HE CONTACTED THE DOWNED CONDUCTOR WITH HIS RIGHT HAND AND WAS ELECTROCUTED. THE CONDUCTOR WAS ENERGIZED BY VOLTAGE BACKFEED FROM TRANSFORMERS IN THE BUILDINGS.

Keywords: VOLTAGE BACKFEED, ELEC PROTECT EQUIP, OVERHEAD POWER LINE, ELECTRICAL, POWER LINE WORKER, ELECTROCUTED, LOCKOUT, E PTD, ELEC UTILITY WORK