BRIANS HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING

ELECTRIC SHOCK - GROUND FAULT IN PORTABLE LIGHT

AN EMPLOYEE WAS FEEDING COPPER TUBING FOR A LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS LINE THROUGH A HOLE IN THE FOUNDATION OF A HOUSE. THE EMPLOYEE WAS OUTSIDE THE HOUSE IN A 4.5-F OOT HOLE THAT HAD WATER AND MUD IN IT. INSIDE THE HOUSE WAS A SHEET METAL DUCT A ND A DEFECTIVE TROUBLE LIGHT, WHICH HUNG ON A COPPER COIL THAT WAS IN CONTACT WI TH THIS DUCT. THE TROUBLE LIGHT HAD A GROUND FAULT, ENERGIZING THE COPPER COIL A ND THE METAL DUCT. WHEN THE EMPLOYEE HAD FED THE COPPER TUBING THROUGH THE HOLE A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 6 FEET, IT CONTACTED THE ENERGIZED DUCT AND, IN TURN, BECAME ENERGIZED. THE EMPLOYEE, WHO WAS HOLDING ONTO THE ENERGIZED TUBING, WAS ELECTRO CUTED. THE TEMPORARY WIRING BEING USED TO SUPPLY ELECTRIC POWER DID NOT HAVE A G ROUND-FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER INSTALLED.