Substation operator dies in suspected electric shock at Kurreli, Chhattisgarh

What happened

A station operator employed under a contract company at the Kurreli power substation in the Takhatpur area of Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, was found unconscious in the substation office the morning after a night duty. He was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Early reports say the death is suspected to have been caused by an electric shock, but the cause had not been confirmed when the report was published. Police from Hirri police station attended the scene, began panchnama proceedings and are investigating the circumstances.

Contributing factors

Local reports allege that essential safety equipment was not provided to the operator during duty; the source states this requires investigation. Contractor arrangements, availability of safety equipment and adherence to safety procedures are under scrutiny. The cause has not been confirmed.

Lessons learned

1. Operators on overnight duty at substations should have scheduled check-ins and welfare monitoring, so that an unresponsive worker is detected promptly.
2. Contractors should issue, record and verify the required personal protective and safety equipment before work begins, and operators should be able to show it was provided.
3. Where an electrical death is suspected, the scene should be preserved and the cause established by investigation before any cause is publicly stated.

More lessons on worker safety and safe systems of work, from every incident on the register.

Source

in.headtopics.com