Inspection Detail

Inspection: 307160119 - Unified Western Grocers Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 10:55 a.m. on February 06, 2004, Employee #1, 43-year-old male, with 15 years of experience as an electrician was working with Employee #2, a 33-year-old male with over a year of experience as a general mechanic in the carpenters shop of Unified Western Grocers Inc that is primarily engaged in the distribution of food and general merchandise to mostly independent grocery stores in several western states and several countries. The two workers were cutting wires to remove them from a work area about to be demolished. Employee #1 and the lead electrician were discussing the wires twelve of which that had to be removed from a Federal Pacific Electrical Panel Type M-3392-1, Serial Number 588468, and 277/480 Volts. About the same time Employee #2 came by and joined the conversation. Then the lead electrician asked Employee #1 to have Employee #2 to help him. Employee #1 had already cut eleven wires and was going for the last one when suddenly an electrical explosion occurred, injuring both employees. Employee #1 sustained injuries to the upper extremities and face, as well as first, second and third degree burns. Employee #2 sustained injuries to the upper extremities, and first, second and third degree burns. After the incident Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was summoned was called and the paramedics arrived soon after the emergency call was made. Emergency Medical Services transported both employee's to Santa Marta Hospital, where they were stabilized and then referred to the Grossman Burn center and transferred by ambulance, where they were treated and released several days later. The casual factor leading to the incident was the fact that the employees were not provided with suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safeguards such as approved insulated gloves, suitable barriers, suitable eye protection or approved insulating material. Employee's #1 and #2 were wearing company provided uniforms made out of 65/35 polyester/cotton blend. Responsible supervision had not made a proper determination of the hazards due to the condition of the panel. The two Employees were permanent employees of United Western Growers.

Keywords: SHOCK, PPE