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Department of Public Works Employee Electrocuted Attempting to Read a Water Meter
Located
Behind an Apartment Boiler
On
June 30, 2003, a 37-year-old male Department of Public Work employee
was electrocuted while attempting to read a water meter that
was located behind an apartment boiler. The boiler room was lit
by one overhead 40-watt light bulb. The meter was located near
ground level. There was approximately a two-foot gap between
the boiler and the back wall. He placed his water meter logbook
on top of the boiler. The boiler's low water cutoff switch was
bracketed on a water pipe near the boiler. It is unknown if the
switch cover was on the switch when the victim tried to maneuver
between the water pipes and the boiler to read the water meter.
During his attempt to read the water meter, he contacted exposed,
120-volt energized low water cut-off switch terminals with his
right chest. Following contact with the terminals, he collapsed
and became wedged between vertical pipes coming from the boiler.
The low water cutoff switch cover was found hanging under the
victim's chest. A cigarette lighter was found on the floor under
the body. A screwdriver, not the type used by DPW employees,
and a small metal screw was found near the victim's body. He
was found by an apartment complex resident who alerted an apartment
complex employee. The apartment complex employee contacted 911.
The power company was notified and turned the power off to the
boiler room. The victim was declared dead at the scene.
It
is imperative that inspectors, installers, repair personnel,
owners and operators use extreme caution when working around
boilers and pressure vessels. Even though it may seem that equipment
is not in operation and not a danger, an energized control such
as this one may prevent a person from going home to his or her
family. Help prevent this sort of tragedy.
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