Another worker lost their life

[Davebones]

Just saw on EC&M a contractor electrocuted at commercial building last week in Phoenix . Don't know the details exactly about what happen . Did want to say I still hear electricians talk about how they still work it " HOT " . This is especially true with the small contractors . Been told by one journeyman his boss tell's them ( I thought you were a Electrician ) when they talk about shutting down power ...

 

[mgookin]

So sorry to hear that. Nobody should ever die because they got out of bed one morning and left to go earn an honest day's living.

 

[Besoeker]

Just saw on EC&M a contractor electrocuted at commercial building last week in Phoenix . Don't know the details exactly about what happen . Did want to say I still hear electricians talk about how they still work it " HOT " . This is especially true with the small contractors . Been told by one journeyman his boss tell's them ( I thought you were a Electrician ) when they talk about shutting down power ...

Very sad.

"I thought you were a Electrician?"
"Yes, I am an electrician, not an insulator. I do things the right way or not at all."

 

[Davebones]

It's sad but there still is a lot of contractors that say their policy is not to work things " HOT " but their guys feel the pressure to get it done so they end up working it energized .

 

[gadfly56]

It's sad but there still is a lot of contractors that say their policy is not to work things " HOT " but their guys feel the pressure to get it done so they end up working it energized .

And the bonus is that then the employer puts on his angel face to the regulatory and investigative agencies, points to the "official" training course and policy manual and says the employee violated company policy.

 

[Saturn_Europa]

Tragic situation.

The few close calls Ive had have been miss labeled equipment and me being in a rush and verifying power as an afterthought late into the task.

I always have to remind myself to be careful and thorough. Its easy to get complacent after work on electrical equipment for so many years.

 

[ramsy]

And the bonus is that then the employer puts on his angel face to the regulatory and investigative agencies, points to the "official" training course and policy manual and says the employee violated company policy.

Brings back memories of feeling expendable, years after the military tour was over. Being expendable was just moved from one industry to another, until I took control of my own work environment as an independent contractor.

 

[JFletcher]

I dont have any of that bravado bs. If I dont feel safe, if it ISNT safe, call someone else. Your emergency is not my problem if I cant kill power when I feels it's needed. I'd rather come at midnight or 3am and kill the whole damned building if that's what it takes.

I cant believe that any insurance co would pay squat for life insurance, medical, workman's comp, etc. for doing something patently stupid.

Your inconvenience is not worth my life. If you dont get that, well, there's a hundred other sparkies in the phone book.

It is sad to hear that another electrician lost his life doing this. Prayers to his family. If there is a news article, I would like to read it.

 

[Besoeker]

Your inconvenience is not worth my life. If you dont get that, well, there's a hundred other sparkies in the phone book.

Probably so. But I wouldn't that same fate on any of them.

 

[oldsparky52]

I dont have any of that bravado bs. If I dont feel safe, if it ISNT safe, call someone else. Your emergency is not my problem if I cant kill power when I feels it's needed. I'd rather come at midnight or 3am and kill the whole damned building if that's what it takes.

I cant believe that any insurance co would pay squat for life insurance, medical, workman's comp, etc. for doing something patently stupid.

Your inconvenience is not worth my life. If you dont get that, well, there's a hundred other sparkies in the phone book.

It is sad to hear that another electrician lost his life doing this. Prayers to his family. If there is a news article, I would like to read it.

Since we don't have a "like" button, consider this a like button post. :thumbsup:

 

[Jraef]

Typical of the general media, no details. They did say that they had to wait for the entire area to be shut down before the first responders could go in, so it sounds as though it was some sort of downed line or something. Sad reality of our trade, I feel for his family.

 

[01Sundevil]

His name was Frank....

His name was Frank....

His name was Frank:
1) a 25 year electrician.
2) Good enough to bend, thread, and install 2" rigid in foundry conditions (Hot and Dangerous).
3) Very good at low voltage controls.

Basically not a hack electrician that cut corners. He was installing a new feeder to an existing 480v SES. Word is that he tripped and fell into the SES. Most of the area's older SES have 4" concrete house keeping pad (Utility company requirement), which at times are trip hazards.

It's just a sad reminder that the customer can be mad that you want to shut off power to complete your work, but your Family will appreciate it when you get home.

 

[Saturn_Europa]

His name was Frank:
1) a 25 year electrician.
2) Good enough to bend, thread, and install 2" rigid in foundry conditions (Hot and Dangerous).
3) Very good at low voltage controls.

Basically not a hack electrician that cut corners. He was installing a new feeder to an existing 480v SES. Word is that he tripped and fell into the SES. Most of the area's older SES have 4" concrete house keeping pad (Utility company requirement), which at times are trip hazards.

It's just a sad reminder that the customer can be mad that you want to shut off power to complete your work, but your Family will appreciate it when you get home.

Thank you for posting and if you knew him , I am sorry for your loss.

 

[01Sundevil]

Thank you for posting and if you knew him , I am sorry for your loss.

Thank you. He worked for a different company than ours, but we would end being at the same facility working sometimes.

 

[GinaDobson]

Very sad news!

 

[electrofelon]

What is a SES?

 

[dionysius]

What is a SES?

This is my answer but I will stand corrected if a more experienced answer comes in.

SES (Service Entrance Section) I believe but it is mainly seen in the acronym form.

To me it may be the switchboard or the first major panel that the utility lines reach after the point of service.

 

[dionysius]

His name was Frank:
1) a 25 year electrician.
2) Good enough to bend, thread, and install 2" rigid in foundry conditions (Hot and Dangerous).
3) Very good at low voltage controls.

Basically not a hack electrician that cut corners. He was installing a new feeder to an existing 480v SES. Word is that he tripped and fell into the SES. Most of the area's older SES have 4" concrete house keeping pad (Utility company requirement), which at times are trip hazards.

It's just a sad reminder that the customer can be mad that you want to shut off power to complete your work, but your Family will appreciate it when you get home.

Thank you for this info. Can you fill us in on any more detail re why SES hot etc???? So sorry to hear this bad news.

 

[big john]

Had a customer ask me to troubleshoot a malfunctioning switchgear breaker on a hot bus.

They had a half-dozen of their guys with hands in this thing while energized, street clothes, and not a stitch of PPE between them.

I told them I probably knew what the problem was, but I was told I would be working on dead gear, and wasn't touching it unless they provided me a 40 calorie suit or de-energized.

"We don't have any arc flash PPE because we had a study done that said the rating was 'Dangerous' so no PPE would be sufficient." ...So your solution instead is to screw with it anyway with absolutely no PPE on? It's mind boggling.

 

[jumper]

What is a SES?

New acronym for me also.

This is my answer but I will stand corrected if a more experienced answer comes in.

SES (Service Entrance Section) I believe but it is mainly seen in the acronym form.

To me it may be the switchboard or the first major panel that the utility lines reach after the point of service.

Yep, same as service equipment. I suppose it is a common acronym in the Southwest, IDK.

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Asset606.aspx