Derek Bell, Kansas City Power & Light Jim Phillips, Brainfiller KCP&L s Senior Director Corporate Safety Derek Bell examines two recent arc flash events that resulted in life changing and potentially life threatening injuries to veteran employees performing routine tasks. In addition to explaining what happened and why, Derek will explore the emotional toll these events had on the injured employees, their families and coworkers. Jim Phillips, one of the foremost experts in arc flash hazard calculations, will follow Derek with a review of these events from a technical and regulatory perspective. Safety Conference March 28, 2018 1 2 2 1
Timeline Employee received ticket from DSO to investigate blank meter Meter on door led employee to believe it was low voltage (600 volts or less) cabinet Walked to meter location with volt meter and leather gloves Did not have key to open meter can Decided to turn blank meter ticket over to measurement tech to investigate Returned to truck but decided to get a voltage read for DSO Returned to meter 3 3 Timeline (continued) Opened outer door Took voltage read at CT test blocks but got abnormal read Opened second inner door Set volt meter down Stuck the lead of volt meter in grounded mesh strap and removed right hand and went to primary voltage with lead in left hand 7200 volts went to ground through volt meter and arc flash occurred Outer door Inner door Volt Meter 4 4 2
Findings Outside of cabinet was labeled Danger High Voltage; however, label did not indicate actual voltage Employee was unfamiliar with this type of switchgear and meter on door led him to believe it was low voltage (600 volts or less) cabinet Employee wearing FR base layer, FR thermal layer and FR outer layer; however, was not wearing required hard hat, face shield, safety glasses, or rubber gloves Recommendations Affix labels to cabinets reading Primary Voltage 7200v/7620v Initial and subsequent annual refresher COPO training for all with Troubleman title Review event findings with all applicable employees to reinforce importance of wearing PPE 5 5 6 6 3
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Event Summary Employee sent ticket for reconnect (Meritex Caves). After locating meter can, employee cut red seal on meter can and removed meter can lid. With both line and load disconnects in on position, employee lifted bypass handle picking up load resulting in arc flash. Result Employee suffered second degree burns to face, neck and both forearms requiring extensive medical procedures and recovery time. Findings Arc flash occurred. Employee admitted fault to witness. Employee removed his short sleeve shirt and walked to his truck. Employee returned to event location wearing longsleeve shirt (FR) and requested ambulance 9 9 Lessons Learned Inattention, rushing and not following written procedures result in severe, lifechanging/life threatening events. Wear all required personal protective equipment based on voltage level. Conclusion Employee was inattentive and failed to follow procedure; consequently, he lifted bypass handle and picked up load resulting in arc flash. Employee performed above action not wearing required personal protective equipment including hard hat; safety glasses; hi viz, long sleeve, button up shirt; balaclava; face shield; and low voltage rubber gloves and protectors. 10 Larue 4/20/2017 10 5
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