Inspection Detail
Inspection: 310418546 - Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office
Site Address:
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
2501 Hwy 193
Cool, CA 95614
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 770000, San Francisco, CA 94177
Union Status: Union
SIC:1623
NAICS: 237130/Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 05/16/2008
Emphasis: S:Construction (Cship)
Case Closed: 07/02/2009
Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
---|---|---|---|
Accident | 362337149 |
Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Violations | 3 | 3 | ||||
Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
Initial Penalty | $36,900 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $36,900 |
Current Penalty | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $10,000 |
FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
# | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 01001 | Serious | 2941 F01 B | 06/30/2008 | 07/14/2008 | $10,000 | $7,200 | $0 | 07/23/2008 | F - Formal Settlement | |
2. | 02001 | Serious | 2941 H04 | 06/30/2008 | 07/14/2008 | $0 | $7,200 | $0 | 07/23/2008 | D - Govt Dismissed | Citation has been deleted. |
3. | 03001 | Serious | 2946 A | 06/30/2008 | 07/14/2008 | $0 | $22,500 | $0 | 07/23/2008 | D - Govt Dismissed | Citation has been deleted. |
Investigation Summary
On January 11, 2008, an employee of Pacific Gas and Electric reported storm damage to power lines at pole #074530 along Highway 193. A crew consisting of Employee #1 and three coworkers was sent out to make repairs. Due to the wet conditions, the boom truck could not get close enough to the site without becoming stuck in the mud. This meant that the crew had to climb the pole. They held a short safety meeting, which covered de-energizing, grounding, and hot stick work to open cut-out fuses. However, the crew members later stated, neither the pole nor the guy was tested to see if they were de-energized. Employee #1 and one coworker, who was also the acting foreman for the crew, climbed the pole, with Employee #1 working on top. Another coworker served as the groundsman for the two on the pole. The fourth coworker remained with the boom truck, on the opposite site of the Highway 193. When Employee #1 climbed above the first level of crossbraces, which supported telephone cables, he was within working distance of the cut-out fuses. According to the foreman, Employee #1 was positioning himself with his left knee resting against the telephone cables when he reached out with his leather-gloved left hand and grabbed the downed metal guy. The groundsman heard a crackling sound, looked up, and saw that Employee #1 could not release his hand from the guy. The foreman and the groundsman used a hot stick to try and free Employee #1 from the energized wire. The groundsman reported that during this time the amperage continued to build. He and the foreman then heard a loud noise and saw a fireball envelop Employee #1, after which he fell onto the telephone cables. The coworker who had stayed with the truck called 911, and Emergency Services arrived within 8 to 10 minutes. Employee #1 was electrocuted.
Keywords: ELEC PROTECT EQUIP, REPAIR, POWER LINE WORKER, WORK RULES, ELECTROCUTED, CONSTRUCTION, GUY, ELEC CIRC PART--MISC, ELECTRICAL FAULT, UTILITY POLE
# | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 310418546 | Fatality | Electric Shock | Electrical power installers and repairers |