Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report: Rubber Worker Electrocuted After Striking Bank of Electrical Transformers with a Piece of Steel He Was Carrying, July 8, 1985

摘要

A 20 year old male maintenance laborer at a rubber products plant was electrocuted on July 8, 1985 when a piece of angle iron he was carrying struck an uninsulated supply wire at the top of a transformer. He was carrying a piece of angle iron about 20 feet in length to a steel rack located in the outside yard. The piece of metal was slightly elevated in front of him. Forty feet from the outside rack, the victim had to make a 90 degree turn to avoid three high voltage transformers. The transformers were enclosed by a 6 foot high cyclone fence with a top border of barbed wire. The transformers were approximately 3 feet higher than the fence enclosure. Each transformer carried 4160 volts. As he negotiated the turn, the angle iron turned horizontally approximately 130 degrees. The front tip struck the uninsulated supply wire at the top of the center transformer, electrocuting the victim. He was found on the ground beside the transformer several minutes later. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed by coworkers, and an emergency medical service transported the victim to a hospital; he was pronounced dead on arrival. Recommendations include protecting the transformers in accordance with existing regulations, and the implementation of a comprehensive occupational safety and health program.