OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14511141

E GI V,STEAM CLEANER,ELECTRICAL,ELECTROCUTED,GROUND FAULT,WET OPERATION,EQUIPMENT GROUNDING

1985-05-07T00:00:00

Event: E GI V,STEAM CLEANER,ELECTRICAL,ELECTROCUTED,GROUND FAULT,WET OPERATION,EQUIPMENT GROUNDING
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 14511141
Report ID: 625400

Event description

ELECTRIC SHOCK - GROUND FAULT IN STEAM CLEANER

Investigation abstract

Two oil well drilling employees were using a Delco portable steam cleaner. One o f the employees was holding the steam nozzle while the second employee plugged t he cleaner into an extension cord set. The employee holding the nozzle, who was standing in water and mud, was electrocuted. The plug on the steam cleaner's pow er supply cord had been wired with the ungrounded circuit conductor and the equi pment grounding conductor reversed. This ground fault energized the frame of the cleaner and the pressure nozzle (through the metal-clad pressure hose). The equ ipment was not approved for wet or conductive locations. It was regularly rewire d and taped when water would cause employees to receive electric shocks.

Victim

#1 Fatality Age 37 M

Nature of injury
10

Part of body
4

Event type
13

Source
15

Occupation code
999

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
13

Hazardous substance
8870

Task assigned
1

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