Utility Electrician Suffers Arc Flash Burns

A Utility electrician suffered second and third degree arc flash burns to the arms, face, and torso. The incident occurred at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, Omaha Public Power District, in Omaha, Nebraska.

The arc flash occurred when the electrician used a high voltage detection device (hot stick) in a spare 480 V breaker cubicle, which caused a phase-to-phase short resulting in the arc. Entry into the 480 V cubicle was not part of the pre-planned job and approved work scope and was not discussed during the pre-job briefing. The electrician took this action without consulting with his crew leader, the other electrician assigned to this task, or anyone else. It is surmised that the electrician decided to enter the 480 volt breaker cubicle to determine if the hot stick was functioning properly.

Click here or on the image above to read the entire report outlining the events that took place, along with recommendations for how to avoid this or handle a situation like this should it arise at your workplace.