Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report: 29 Year-Old Electrocuted at Ice Cream Plant in Tennessee

摘要

A 29 year old maintenance man with 6 years of experience was electrocuted while trouble shooting an electrical problem with a popsicle wrapping machine at an ice cream manufacturing facility. The victim pushed the reset button on the machine and the machine restarted, ran for about 10 minutes, and then shut down again. After obtaining an electrical testing device to test the circuits, the man removed the metal cover from the machine control box housing three reset controls and a fuse. He was seated on a metal platform 12 inches high while working on the machine. The floor was wet. Two of his fingers contacted the 230 volt energized circuit in the control box and he was electrocuted. Recommendations arising from this accident include: institution of a training program in hazard recognition and control, especially for workers who are located near or on energized equipment and in wet work areas; and the development and implementation of a comprehensive occupational safety program which would include safe methods for trouble shooting equipment which is malfunctioning.