The symbol above is the international safety symbol which means "Caution, risk of electrical shock".
The APSB was just made aware of this fatal accident that occurred back in late October 2012 at an aluminium extrusion company in the Southern United States. Here is the story:
An electrical contractor was working on a scissor lift with light fixtures when he was electrocuted.
Firefighters were dispatched in the early afternoon. "We were called to an industrial accident...for a worker who had been electrocuted. When we got there one of his co-workers was doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We took over CPR on the patient," local Fire Department Battalion Chief said. "Emergency Medical Services showed up and we assisted them with patient care. They then transported" the worker to a nearby hospital where he passed away.
A nearby worker on another scissor lift observed the deceased worker grab a 277 Amp live wire.
One can only assume that the worker believed the 277 Amp wire was not energized.
High voltage power lines are common throughout our plants. The hazard of coming into contact with an energized line is a hazard that we want to avoid at all cost.
The Occupational Health & Safety Administration has a Powerpoint presentation by Wayne State University titled: "Overhead and Underground Power Lines" that is worth viewing. It can be downloaded here.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR training is important safety tool for any individual. Safety knowledge or the lack thereof can save lives or even take lives. Below is a short video from the American Red Cross titled: "How to Perform Compression Only CPR"
One can only assume that the worker believed the 277 Amp wire was not energized.
High voltage power lines are common throughout our plants. The hazard of coming into contact with an energized line is a hazard that we want to avoid at all cost.
The Occupational Health & Safety Administration has a Powerpoint presentation by Wayne State University titled: "Overhead and Underground Power Lines" that is worth viewing. It can be downloaded here.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR training is important safety tool for any individual. Safety knowledge or the lack thereof can save lives or even take lives. Below is a short video from the American Red Cross titled: "How to Perform Compression Only CPR"
Please Comment.
3 comments:
It is of course very sad that this accident happened.
I want though point that the article mixes voltage and current.
The 277 Amp wire does not neccesary be a high voltage line it its right definition. Also below 500 V and even less, 277 Amps are possible through a line.
Mark that it the Amps that is the most dangerous for the hart (normal advized limit 5 mA) and not the high potential in itself.
I am interested to see results of further investigation of this accident, like:
-Has there (not) been used further insulation below the lift or in the upper platform
-How could the lift come in contact with another potential
-Was the operator using the right safety equipment
-Was there done a Safe Job Analyses together with the area resposibles?
Not to blame someone, but to learn!
It is of course very sad that this accident happened.
I want though point that the article mixes voltage and current.
The 277 Amp wire does not neccesary be a high voltage line it its right definition. Also below 500 V and even less, 277 Amps are possible through a line.
Mark that it the Amps that is the most dangerous for the hart (normal advized limit 5 mA) and not the high potential in itself.
I am interested to see results of further investigation of this accident, like:
-Has there (not) been used further insulation below the lift or in the upper platform
-How could the lift come in contact with another potential
-Was the operator using the right safety equipment
-Was there done a Safe Job Analyses together with the area resposibles?
Not to blame someone, but to learn!
cant smell it, cant hear it, can feel vibration or danger signs with those live wires...I was an electrical engineer for toyota for 3 years here in Japan and I have to say that many a time I welded my nippers and wire cutters shut from cutting unknown live wires. Luckily the Japanese only run on 100V`s...Great fireworks but leaves you very shaken!!!
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