The power the experiment was controlled turning wheel leading large rheostat inside
the test area. As
the co-worker disconnected the power, second worker called 911 for help. Attached the top the support was test cable with a
bottle distilled water fixed the end. Electricity was directed the cables from
an electrical transformer that stepped the power 26,000 volts 300 amps.
The incident occurred Tuesday, June 18, 1996. about 8:45 a. The supports were built very close the fence and reached
over the top height feet.
. The victim arrived for work the laboratory at
8:30 a. and was instructed his supervisor (an engineer) remove three cable samples that
had been aging for one year.m. Rescue efforts succeeded in
restoring heart beat, and the victim was transported the local trauma center where was
admitted with severe head injuries. died his injuries eight hours later. The extension-cord interlock was then
disconnected, tripping the power relay and shutting down the power.
Apparently neglecting deenergize the power, the victim climbed the ladder where could
reach the plastic supports where the cables were connected.3
The cable-aging experiment was located one the larger fenced areas.
CAUSE DEATH
The county medical examiner determined the cause death from electrocution and fall
from height. went the victim and saw that the power was still on. He
connected bonding wire from the ladder the fence, electrically grounding the ladder. The main power switch was the back wall inside the fenced test area.m. The victim started use wrench
to disconnect the jumper wires from the cables, contacting the live 26,000 volt circuit. The cable then ran out the water second support the opposite side. The victim was familiar with the experiment, had de-
energize every two weeks changed the distilled water baths. Finally, the worker would
enter the area and use pole connect grounding wire transformer terminal. The area was
then considered safe work in. this process,
samples high-voltage electrical cable were artificially “aged” placing them under an
electrical load while immersed water., the victim
moved foot high rolling metal ladder with handrails the fence outside the test area. The cables were mounted inside the fenced-in test area
on supports made plastic piping. The
cables were mounted side-by-side the supports, and the ends were electrically connected in
series with short length bare copper jumper cable. The cable ran down into water bath, soaking the
insulation. The workers started
cardio-pulmonary resuscitation until the police and EMS arrived. The
usual procedure for shutting down the power was first turn the rheostat down until power
registered meter visible through the fencing. co-
worker who was working nearby heard the victim yell “Oh God!” and saw him fall off the ladder
and land head first the floor
