Steven A. Koffel, 47, of Canton, Ohio, was fatally shocked when his hand touched a live wire in a control panel while repairing an air compressor inside Pretium Printing, state police at Hazleton said Monday. Koffel, a service technician employed by Gardner Denver, was called to Pretium Printing in the Humboldt Industrial Park to repair machinery, plant manager Jack Brown said.

Hazle Township Fire Chief Scott Kostician said the department was called in for assistance around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. The department set up a landing zone for a medical helicopter but Koffel was taken to Hazleton General Hospital by ambulance. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Article Source: citizensvoice.com

Toronto Const. Tony Vella said police initially responded to a call from a co-worker who said a male had been electrocuted on the 15th floor of the hotel at 280 Bloor St. W. The caller said the victim had difficulty breathing.

An EMS spokeswoman said he was taken to a local hospital, but was without vital signs.

Police said the man was not an employee of the building. He was a contract worker doing work in the boiler room for a connected building that was shared by the hotel.

Staff Sgt. Shawn Meloche added that police received the call shortly before noon.

“It looks like some kind of industrial accident,” Meloche said.

The Ministry of Labour has sent inspectors to investigate the incident, confirmed William Lin, a spokesperson for the ministry.

An employee at the hotel front desk would only say, “Things are a bit chaotic.”

An employee at the Fox and Fiddle pub attached to the hotel described a number of EMS workers converging on the hotel and taking a man out on a stretcher.

With files from Lesley Ciarula Taylor

Article Source: thestar.com

Forty-eight-year-old Paul Thompson of Pittsburgh was working at the facility on Industrial Boulevard Wednesday when he somehow came in contact with high voltage power lines.

Thompson and a co-worker had just finished painting the outside of the building and were on the roof when the accident happened.

Diane Belitskus, the executive director of the Allegheny Valley Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said that the co-worker told her he tried desperately to revive the man.

“He saw burn marks on the man and he wasn’t hopeful he was going to be OK,” Belitskus said.

Thompson was working for Modern Painting and Decorating, which is based in Springdale.

Article Source: wpxi.com

Police and firefighters responded to Dona Michelle Drive and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard about 10:20 a.m. and found John S. Hudson, 35, unconscious, said Fire Rescue Lt. Danielle Spradlin.

Hudson had been working on an electrical line from an insulated bucket truck when his body came in contact with the 7,620-volt power line, police said. The shock caused severe burns.

His co-workers lowered him to the ground and began CPR until Fire Rescue workers arrived and took him to University Community Hospital. Hudson was stabilized and taken by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital.

In 2008, 35 people were killed while installing and repairing electrical power lines in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Article Source: tampabay.com

The fire department was eventually successful in retrieving Mavridis from the lift platform subsequent to Atlantic City Electric company employees turning off the power feeder to the high voltage lines. A substantial number of city residents and businesses were without power while the rescue was completed, however, power was eventually restored to most city residents. Mavridis was treated and transported to the cardiac unit, of Atlanticare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Division, in Galloway Township. Mavridis suffered chest pains as a result of the incident, medical status is currently unknown.

The immediate area of the incident has been barricaded as the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is expected to respond and conduct a separate investigation. The scissor lift sustained extensive damage as a result of the incident and was welded to concrete boardwalk pedestrian ramp, during the contact with the high voltage power lines.

Article Source: capemaycountyherald.com

The fitter was working on the screening level of a processing plant. He was shocked by a 240V double insulated hand-held impact power tool which was being prepared for storage after use.

The contract worker was removing the drive socket from the metallic chuck of the impact tool. He was not wearing gloves, and held the drive socket in one hand and the tool pistol grip handle in the other.

The worker received a 240V electric shock across the body from hand to hand, resulting in large area burns to the left hand and a single point burn to the right hand. He was hospitalised for three days.

According to investigations, the tool was plugged into a 20m, heavy duty, 10A extension lead which was plugged into a 240V socket outlet on a lower level of the plant. Electrical protection did not operate to remove the power.

The power tool and extension lead had in date inspection tags. However, the power tool chuck insulation failed due to fine dust/grim contamination on the inside of the tool. Additionally, an external metallic screw in the power tool pistol grip handle cover had penetrated one of the insulated supply conductors.

According to the DPI, where the use of electric power tools can not be eliminated, there should be tools that substitute the hazard of portable 240V tools with a portable tool that gives rise to as low as reasonably practical risk.

These alternatives include extra low voltage battery-operated power tools. Additionally, any tool used must be fit for purpose, and maintained in a satisfactory condition.

Aricle Source: safetowork.com

The stone structure’s original historic section dating back to 1917 on South Street sustained severe damage Monday around 9 a.m. after an explosion ripped through the basement and first floor. Other blasts also took place in nearby manholes under South Street. No one was hurt and the cause of the explosions remains under investigation by Jersey Central Power & Light.

Officials who got their first look today at the devastation inside said it was worse than a similar underground electrical blast in 1994 that closed the library for six weeks.

Morristown Business Administrator Michael Rogers and Fire Chief Gary Desjadon said Monday’s explosion caused the following damage: an 8-inch-thick concrete first floor slab heaved upward and cleaved; walls buckled; furniture was blown apart; interior and exterior doors were blown off hinges; windows were shattered; books and materials were mangled and strewn about and a water pipe burst.

“It’s far-more extensive than I thought. It’s a bomb-like explosion,” Rogers said. “All I can say is we are incredibly fortunate nobody was killed.”

Library director Susan Gulick, who has worked there since 1985 and became director four days before the 1994 explosion, said, “This is so much worse (than 1994). A big cement floor slab heaved up. Metal doors are all bent like chocolate in the sun. It just makes you sick. I don’t know why the street keeps blowing up, but it’s got to stop.”

Subterranean electrical and manhole explosions have plagued Morristown over the years. After manhole blasts in December and February, the Morristown Council demanded that JCP&L discuss the issue at a meeting in March.

Monday’s explosions occurred just as library employees evacuated after seeing lights flicker and a smoking manhole. Firefighters arrived just as the blast blew doors off and shattered windows.

The town closed the library due to the damage. A notice posted on the building declares it “unsafe for human occupation.”

JCP&L spokesman Ron Morano said Monday there was a “fault,” meaning malfunction, of underground wires serving the library and a church next door, but later said it was too early to speculate what caused the blasts.

Then late today Morano said the utility now believes a “cable fault” did not cause the blast because such malfunctions typically may blow off a manhole cover, but would not have caused an explosion that produced as much damage as in the library. He said JCP&L has not yet been given access to the library’s interior for examination, and the utility will hire an “independent expert” to assist in its investigation.

“We’re as interested as anyone else in fully understanding what led to (Monday’s) incident and to determine what steps can be taken, if necessary, to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future,” Morano said. “There still remain too many unknowns as to speculate a root cause, including a JCP&L cable fault.”

“A cable fault wouldn’t cause the level of damage we’ve seen,” he said. “We know our cables were damaged. We don’t know that that’s what led to the events that transpired. We’re not shifting any blame. The investigation needs to be completed.”

Rogers said there has been a history of these types of underground incidents. “They’re going to have some explaining to do.’’ he said. “This is not a normal occurrence and we find it unacceptable.”

Most of the “priceless” archives in the building’s damaged section may be salvageable, but the library likely will remain closed for “many months,” said Rogers and Gulick. It is hoped that newer library wings not directly damaged could reopen sooner.

• Underground explosion closes streets in Morristown

Article Source: nj.com

“He was lying here,” Stiemsma told TODAY’S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray. “It looked like he was dead or close to it.”

When the 21-year-old man touched his company’s bucket truck, a crippling jolt of electricity sent him flying and knocked him out. The tree is near a power line, although it’s unclear what part of the truck came in contact with an electric current.

Stiemsma called 911.

“My wife came running out and started giving chest compressions,” Stiemsma said.

The dispatcher gave instructions to a couple with no CPR training.

Stiemsma is heard on the 911 recording asking, “How do you check for breathing?”

“You’ve just gotta look listen and feel for it, get down by their face and see if you feel anything,” replied Communication Officer Dave Zirbel.

Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Homan arrived at the home on Airport Road with a defibrillator. He administered at least two shocks before paramedics arrived.

The Beaver Dam Fire Department further assisted with the desperate, seemingly bleak rescue attempt.

“For the start of a very bad day, I think we gave him the best chance he could get,” said Fire Chief Alan Mannel.

Survival seemed dim even as a medical chopper flew the victim to Madison. But on Friday, the man was said to be talking with his family and improving at University of Wisconsin Hospital.

“He’s had banter a little bit with his folks and girlfriend,” said Bob Biel, owner of K&B Lawn and Tree Care. “It’s your worst nightmare to see one of your fellas go down like this.”

The Stiemsma’s were thankful to learn the victim is expected to recover.

“I would positively say he was brought back to life,” Fred Stiemsma said.

Article Source: todaystmj4.com

The two companies, Salonika Associates LLC and Alfred Dunner Inc., have offices at a building on 200 Walsh Drive. Both specialize in making women’s clothing.

The violations total $51,750.

Of that, OSHA issued $46,350 worth of violations against Salonika Associates LLC., the distribution center for Alfred Dunner Inc. The violations include allegedly having an inadequate lockout/tagout program that details specific procedures on operating equipment to prevent injury, a lack of machine guarding, a deficient hazard communication program, electrical circuit boxes not being covered, electrical switches not being clearly marked and inadequate respiratory protection program.

Against Alfred Dunner Inc., OSHA issued $5,400 worth of violations.

“All of these violations leave workers vulnerable to hazards that can result in injury and illness,” said Phillip Peist, director of OSHA’s Parsippany office, in a statement. “By establishing an effective comprehensive workplace safety and health program that engages employees to proactively evaluate, identify and eliminate hazards, the companies will be better positioned to ensure an overall safe and healthful work environment.”

Alfred Dunner Inc. manufactures women’s clothing and accessories and Salonika serves as the company’s distribution center. Both have offices on 200 Walsh Drive. 

Brian Buccieri, director of human resources for the company, said during a telephone interview that the company disagrees with OSHA’s findings. 

“Those citations are under contest,” he said. He declined to elaborate. 

Buccieri said he didn’t know how many employees currently work for the company. 

The violations identified by OSHA were based on findings from an inspection it did at the facility last Nov. 2.

Article Source: dailyrecord.com

A Jersey City manufacturer has been cited for three dozen violations and fined nearly $160,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), federal authorities said.

Importers Service Corp., located on Suydam Avenue, failed to lock out energy sources and exposed workers during the maintenance and repair of equipment to potential injuries. Importers Service Corp. manufactures gum products used by the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and technical industries.  

OSHA initiated its inspection on Nov. 10 as part of a program designed for industries with high injury and illness rates. The company, which OSHA says has 36 employees, received citations for two willful violations, with a penalty of $98,000; 33 serious violations, with a penalty of $60,500; and one other-than-serious violation, which carries no penalty, OSHA said in a statement.

A representative of Importers Service Corp. did not immediately return a call for comment.

“Each of these violations leaves workers vulnerable to hazards that can result in serious injury and illness,” said Phil Peist, director of OSHA’s Parsippany Area Office. “The company has a legal obligation to provide a safe and healthful environment for workers.”

The willful violations address the company’s deficient lockout/tagout system, which is used to control the release of hazardous energy. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.

The serious violations include a lack of training, electrical hazards, inadequate personal protective equipment, failing to implement an adequate hazard communication and respiratory protection program, and failing to properly handle confined spaces.

OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

“By establishing an effective comprehensive workplace safety and health program that engages employees to proactively evaluate, identify and eliminate hazards, employers are better positioned to prevent workplace hazards,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.

OSHA officials said Importers Service Corp. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The investigation was conducted by OSHA’s Parsippany Office. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at (800) 321-5742.

Article Source: nj.com