Worker suffers minor injuries in electrical accident

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Worker suffers minor injuries in electrical accident

By Dee Riggs
World staff writer

Originally published January 6, 2011 at 10:10 a.m., updated January 6, 2011 at 11:05 a.m.

This story previously reported the incorrect name of the building's owner. The error has been corrected in this version.

WENATCHEE — An worker suffered minor burns to his face at about 7:50 a.m. today when electricity arced inside an electrical panel he was working on at 521 S. Columbia Street.

The worker was treated at Central Washington Hospital, said Mitch Barnes, a batallion chief for the Wenatchee Fire Department. Barnes did not know the name of the injured worker this morning, so his condition was not available from officials at Central Washington Hospital.

The building is being remodeled, Barnes said. It is owned by Hamilton Investment Group, LLC.

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Mateo1147 2 years, 4 months ago

I am truly sorry to hear about this workers injuries. This is what we call an arc flash burn in the trade. I would be interested to know if the reporter could have gleaned a few more details before going to press. Was this worker and electrician? Was he working for an electrical contractor, a general contractor or the owner of the building?

Depending on the circumstances of this construction accident L&I could and should issue citations for violation of electrical safe work practices and allowing unqualified and or unlicensed people to work on a live electrical panel. Some very inexpensive safety equipment would have saved this worker from his injuries and possibly far worse. Please view this video to see what can happen in an arc flash event. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qq7U7tFsvQ

bigdaddyjwa 2 years, 4 months ago

This is why as a electrician you should know better then to work in a hot pannel. Plus I would have waited till a little later in the day to work in the pannel if it needed to be hot so I would be a little more alert then 1st thing in the morning.