Date: June 25, 1990  
                                                        Info Alert # 5  
  
  
                           INFORMATION ALERT  
  
  
HAZARD SUMMARY:  FATALITY - ELECTROCUTION  
  
  A worker was electrocuted while working on a live 550 volt  
  electrical panel when he came into contact with energized components  
  while reaching around the panel to grasp the on/off switch for the  
  panel.  The design of the panel made access to the on/off switch  
  awkward.  The worker was not wearing any personal protective  
  equipment.  Another worker trained in the use of artificial  
  respiration was not conveniently available.  
  
  
LOCATION(S) AND SECTOR(S) WHERE HAZARD MAY BE ENCOUNTERED  
  
  Electrical rooms, substations and power panels in all sectors.  
  
  
APPLICABLE SECTION(S) OF INDUSTRIAL REGULATIONS  
  
  This fatality could have been prevented if power to the panel had  
  been disconnected and locked out prior to working on the panel, or  
  if proper personal protective equipment had been worn as required by  
  subsections 46(1) and (2) of the industrial regulations.  Subsection  
  46(1) states that:  
  
     "Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the power supply to  
     electrical installations, equipment or power lines shall be  
     disconnected and locked out of service prior to any work being  
     done on, or in proximity to, the installations, equipment or  
     power lines."  
  
  Subsection 46(2) states:  
  
     "Where it is not practicable to disconnect and lock out the power  
     supply to live electrical installations, equipment or power  
     lines,  
  
     (a)  rubber gloves, mats, shields or other protective equipment  
          adequate to ensure the safety of all workers shall be used  
          while the work is being performed; and  
  
    (b)   a person other than the worker doing the work who is trained  
          in the use of artificial respiration, shall be conveniently  
          available while the work is being performed.  
  
  
NOTE:  "Information Alert" is produced by the Industrial Health and  
       Safety Branch, Ministry of Labour for use by Ministry  
       inspectors, health and safety associations and other interested  
       groups or individuals in Ontario.  The goal of this publication  
       is to communicate hazard information as soon as it becomes  
       available to prevent serious injury to workers.  Reproduction  
       and use of these alerts is encouraged.