Be safe out there

[jonathn1]

I have been blessed to receive the information from this site for many years now. One foundation he has always preached to us is safety. I wanted to pass on the event so we could all take note and remember that safety is for all of us.

We had an incident recently that proves even the best can make mistakes and when they do its their protective clothing that can make a difference.
Recently an Electrical Contractor was running wire in one of our buildings. He was well trained and knew the dangers involved. At some point he contacted a live circuit and created an Arc Flash. It was severe enough to cause 1st and 2nd degree burns to his hands and face. His eyes were damaged and it was still unknown how badly as he was taken to the hospital by paramedics.
I mention this only because the current practice where I work is to wear a face shield and gloves when working around live equipment. Had he followed our procedures he would not have been hurt. I know I have been guilty of taking short cuts myself in my years of working on equipment. But the safeguards are in place if we would choose to follow them. It goes to show that no matter how experienced you are mistakes can happen! Even to electrical contractors. More importantly is the following of guidelines in the places we go do our work. It might be inconvenient to wear but it could save you a trip in the ambulance.
Thanks Mike for the years of information I have received. The information has supplied me with the necessary tools to do my job safely. May we all learn that information is vital but putting it into practice is where its value takes its shape.

 

[jcole]

Well said jonathn1.

I to have learned alot from this site.

Saftey is a big deal where I work. I follow and know the rules or find another job.

The deal with some contractors is that time is money and money is time. The dollar signs dancing in there heads keeps them and there people unsave at times. Money can impede a persons thinking ability.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Well said jonathn1.

I to have learned alot from this site.

Saftey is a big deal where I work. I follow and know the rules or find another job.

The deal with some contractors is that time is money and money is time. The dollar signs dancing in there heads keeps them and there people unsave at times. Money can impede a persons thinking ability.

This is so true...

 

[zog]

I have been blessed to receive the information from this site for many years now. One foundation he has always preached to us is safety. I wanted to pass on the event so we could all take note and remember that safety is for all of us.

We had an incident recently that proves even the best can make mistakes and when they do its their protective clothing that can make a difference.
Recently an Electrical Contractor was running wire in one of our buildings. He was well trained and knew the dangers involved. At some point he contacted a live circuit and created an Arc Flash. It was severe enough to cause 1st and 2nd degree burns to his hands and face. His eyes were damaged and it was still unknown how badly as he was taken to the hospital by paramedics.
I mention this only because the current practice where I work is to wear a face shield and gloves when working around live equipment. Had he followed our procedures he would not have been hurt. I know I have been guilty of taking short cuts myself in my years of working on equipment. But the safeguards are in place if we would choose to follow them. It goes to show that no matter how experienced you are mistakes can happen! Even to electrical contractors. More importantly is the following of guidelines in the places we go do our work. It might be inconvenient to wear but it could save you a trip in the ambulance.
Thanks Mike for the years of information I have received. The information has supplied me with the necessary tools to do my job safely. May we all learn that information is vital but putting it into practice is where its value takes its shape.

Thanks for sharing this story, hopefully it will make a postive impact on someone. I am sure things will change at your company after this incident.

 

[electricalperson]

people always take short cuts. the biggest short cut and the most dangerous is safety. nobody ever wears arc flash gear and all it takes is one screwdriver to fall across those 480 volt busses and you wil become a crispy critter. im guilty of that myself im afraid to admit (dont kill me zog) we have an arc flash gear set at a place i work at a lot and i wear it when im there.

i want to save up money to buy an HRC 3 flash suit. might be a little more than what i need but i like the hood and added safety. salisbury makes a good product

 

[Besoeker]

Safety is not an optional extra. It is paramount. Electricity kills.

 

[zog]

people always take short cuts. the biggest short cut and the most dangerous is safety. nobody ever wears arc flash gear and all it takes is one screwdriver to fall across those 480 volt busses and you wil become a crispy critter. im guilty of that myself im afraid to admit (dont kill me zog) we have an arc flash gear set at a place i work at a lot and i wear it when im there.

i want to save up money to buy an HRC 3 flash suit. might be a little more than what i need but i like the hood and added safety. salisbury makes a good product

Do you have an employer? If so they are required per OSHA to provide you with the PPE, self employed you are on your own. Get the HRC 2 kit from salisbury, around $250, comes with FR coveralls, gloves, hard hat, arc rated facesheild, arc rated head sock, and a nice bad for it all. HRC 2 may not cover everything you do but it is easy to work in and offers good protection, better than nothing or a big suit you will find all sorts of excuses not to wear. If I am standed on a desert island (That has power and electrical system of course) and can only take 1 PPE bag with me, it is the HRC 2 kit.

 

[mike@mikeholt.com]

Jonathn, I'll keep your friend and his family in my prayers.