Watched a guy in Tampa almost get fried because he skipped the lockout tagout

He was working on a 480v panel he swore was dead, but someone flipped the breaker back. The arc flash blew his tools across the room. Now I physically lock every disconnect myself, no exceptions. Anyone else seen a close call that changed their routine?

3 comments

3 Comments

hill.margaret21d ago

Honestly, how often does that actually happen? Sounds like a story to scare new guys. Most places have procedures, and people aren't that stupid. I've seen plenty of guys work hot and nothing goes wrong because they know what they're doing. Locking out every single time just seems like overkill and slows everything down for a maybe problem.

mason_lopez21d ago

My cousin's crew in Texas lost a guy last year, @hill.margaret.

robin59121d ago

Ever wonder if the guy who flips the switch knows you're working on it? Procedures don't stop a new guy from thinking he's helping by turning a machine back on. That's how "maybe problems" become real ones.