Zapped Worker Rescued

Friday, January 16, 2009 01:52 PM

Yellow arrow points to leg of worker who is entangled in pipe bridge after being zapped ( photo Opinion250staff)

(Click on video icon for a clip of Human resourcesz manager Rick Lewis describing what happened as the worker tried to erect a scaffold)

Prince George, B.C.- WorkSafe B.C. has started its investigation into how a 32 year old man came in contact with a high voltage line while erecting a scaffold this morning on Canfor property.

The man, a 32 year old who is employed by a Prince George company, was on contract to erect scaffolding to the pipe bridge linking the Intercon and P.G. Pulp Mills. The scaffold was necessary in order to make some repairs to a chemical pipe.

( at right, the reflective material on the left wrist of the worker entangled in the bridgeis visible, his right leg dangles as he waits to be rescued)

The metal scaffold material came in contact with the line, and the worker was hit with 69 thousand volts. “The right shoulder of his coveralls was on fire” says one worker who was in the area at the time. The jolt blew power to all industries in the park at the end of Pulp Mill Road.

The worker was left entangled in the pipe bridge, one leg dangling. It was determined he was conscious, but the extent of his injuries is not yet known.

(At left, B.C. Hydro workers start the task of isolating power to allow a rescue)

B.C. Hydro brought in special equipment so they could carry out a high angle rescue.

Human resources manager for Canfor, Rick Lewis, says all contractors doing work for Canfor have to pass stringent safety requirements and in this case, the contractor is a well known and respected Prince George firm. Lewis says nothing like this has ever happened on the site before.

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Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 01:52 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: metalman on January 16 2009 2:32 PM

I hope he is okay.
metalman.

Posted by: Lamb on January 16 2009 2:45 PM

I echo that. I hope he is ok.

Posted by: acrider54 on January 16 2009 4:08 PM

Me too! Look up for Christ sake. 60,000 volts will do you in quick. Why did these workers not identify the hazards before they started work?

Posted by: Big-Wayne on January 16 2009 4:51 PM

I hope he's ok also & good question acrider54
what was his training like that he didn't understand the danger involved?

Posted by: Denaljo on January 16 2009 5:06 PM

The old mantra at Canfor was " Safety comes first"; the new mantra is "Risk Management is #1." Safety falls through the cracks when it takes time and costs money. I hope everything works out OK for the worker.I hope the pulpmills dont sue him for lost production.

Posted by: Moses on January 16 2009 6:58 PM

Posted by: snowman4 on January 16 2009 8:01 PM

To all the people who comment on this story make sure you know all the facts behind it. Acidents happen! have some respect for him and his family

Posted by: downnotout on January 16 2009 9:57 PM

The pulp mills themselves are very concerned about safty. The same does not always apply to the contractors that they employ but I do have to agree with snowman accidents do happen and it is to bad that their is a person involved. Get better soon and I hope you do not have to deal with WCB to long. If you do remember this. WCB is trained to save themselves as much money as possible so have your doctor go over you with a fine tooth comb. From your fillings in your teeth to your big toe nails. Do some research on what can go wrong with you if 60000 volts pass through your body. Make sure this is done ASAP. Been through this and the above is free advice which I hope for your sake you heed.

Posted by: Jim13135 on January 17 2009 6:42 AM

'Safety falls through the cracks when it takes time and costs money'

That's by far the stupidest comment I've read on this site in weeks.

Wait, scratch that - this one's even more stupid:

'I hope the pulpmills dont sue him for lost production.'

You know absolutely nothing about the circumstances, yet you make a blanket statement about safety policy and compliance at the mill(s).

Perhaps you wouldn't think it was so stupid if you had ever spent years [that's right years] trying to get some simple safety jobs performed at one of the mills??

As for the suing for lost production...well they probably have insurance to cover that one.....at least the contractor company better hope so.

Posted by: diplomat on January 17 2009 8:21 AM

Denaljo: "Safety falls through the cracks when it takes time and costs money'"

That's by far the stupidest comment I've read on this site in weeks.

I fully agree. It was an ACCIDENT! Of course Denaljo will never have one.

Posted by: MrPG on January 17 2009 12:21 PM

Safety is ultimately the responsibility of those doing the job. They have to speak up if they feel a situation is unsafe.

Posted by: Eagleone on January 18 2009 5:38 AM

People I knew on the scene said he made a lot of noise yelling for help for the first bit and then went quiet once the shock set in waiting for his rescue... apparently his cloths were on fire for a bit, so they were using a 2x4 to try and put it out which likely didn't help the guy much other than the fire was out... it was all they could use I guess... I also heard speculation that if they could have just disconnected the power lines they could have got the guy out of there quicker, but Hydro couldn't get approval? and there was a hold up because there was another way, but it took longer, and meanwhile you know the rest of the story.... My sources said he looked nearly hypothermic when they got him out and his leg took most of the charge... usually its your internal organs that suffer the worst in these situations. I think the guy has a case to sue for a lot of money if he survives then next few weeks.