Contractor Injury

1
Contractor Injury Electrical Arc
FlashWashington Site

• What Happened?
• On 3/15 contractor installed a 15 HP starter into
  a live 480V MCC
• Wore hard hat and safety glasses and used a
  regular screwdriver w/o an insulated shaft
• Received 1st and 2nd degree burns to face and
  both hands
• Fortunately, did not receive electrical shock or
  eye damage
• Contractor expects to recover fully with only
  minor scarring of hands

2
Contractor Injury Electrical Arc
FlashWashington Site

• Background
• Experienced Journeyman with 20 yrs. exp.,
• Very familiar with site 10 yrs. experience
• Trained on required PPE for Hazard Risk Category
  3 electrical tasks
• Insertion of motor starter into live MCC a common
  practice at many sites

3
Contractor Injury Electrical Arc
FlashWashington Site

• Preliminary Investigation Results
• Root/Contributing Causes
• Contractor Personal Performance - failed to
  utilize proper PPE and proper tool (V-rated
  gloves, V-rated screwdriver, FR coveralls, flash
  suit hood, etc.)
• Site Procedures did not not adequately address
  guidelines for working on electrically energized
  equipment

4
Contractor Injury Electrical Arc
FlashWashington Site

• Preliminary Investigation Results
• Corrective Actions to be finalized after
  receiving final safety report from electrical
  contractor.
• Recommendations
• Sites should critically review procedures for
  working on energized electrical equipment to
  ensure necessary guidance, approvals,and
  oversight exist. (See NFPA 70E, Article 130 and
  draft procedure from Wyandotte, WYN032.043)

5
MCC2 Contains total of 66 motor starters.
Shutdown of entire MCC affects 4 of 7 reactor
systems and other critical tank farm equipment
6
3 phase, 480V starter for 15 HP agitator motor .
Starter was removed to drill holes for future
mounting of control relay
7
Exposed 480 V buss bar with starter removed
8
Rear view of starter. Incident occurred
while tightening this hold-down screw from the
front
9
Uninsulated screw driver contacted electrically
energized wire
10
from the front
Signs of melting at screwdriver tip. Temperature
likely exceeded 2500 F
11
Soot residue on helmet and safety glasses
12
PPE requirements poster located in MCC. Approx.
4 feet from starter
13
Duffle bags containing required PPE V-rated
gloves, FR coveralls, flash suit hood,
etc. Located in MCC. Approx. 10 feet from
starter