A 29 year old class-A mechanic employed by a public electrical utility company was electrocuted while performing maintenance at a substation. The maintenance work included replacement of a three way connector. The grounding of the conductors and corresponding switches and breakers was completed. After discussing the additional work to be done, the foreman moved about 150 feet away from the accident site to engage in other activities. The victim and the lead mechanic were in the bucket of an aerial truck about 20 feet off the ground getting ready to remove the bolts and plates at the three way connector. Without consulting the foreman, the crew moved a ground wire from the original grounded position to a secondary grounded position. As the bolts were then being removed, the horizontal conductor with the grounding wire attached separated from the three way connector. The victim contacted the grounded horizontal conductor with one hand and the energized connector with the other and was electrocuted.
Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report: 29 Year-Old Mechanic Electrocuted in Indiana
1986
8 pages
Report
No indication
English