ACCIDENT TO WIREMAN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4888, 9 October 1925, Page 3

ACCIDENT TO WIREMAN.

REPOST OF CONSIDERATION BY BOARD. Concerning the recent accident to Mr H. Thornton, one of the board’s wiremen, at Waitoa,, a copy of a letter sent to the district electrical engineer was read at the Thames Valley Power Board meeting on Tuesday as follows: —■ “Thomton was preparing to treat the oil. in the transformer, which appatently had not been made dead. ■ The operator •at the factory station reported that he isolated the factory supply from the board’s supply in Thornton’s presence. Thornton’s assistant reported .that Thornton appeared very anxious to get the work carried through as quickly as possible, in order that the factory would not be delayed. In .his anxiety to do this he omitted .to take the necessary precautions.. The 11,000-vol|t supply to the transformer is controlled by a ' Kelman oil switch and a change-over switch at the main line across the road. Thornton most likely pushed the lever controlling the Kelman switch, and without looking at the indicator on the switch concluded that the switch, was out. It apparently was not out, nor was the isolation switch .across the'road, and the transformer leads were not earthed. Thornton was working on the transformer unscrewing the cover bolts. Apparently, while using the spanner - he came in contact with one of the 11,000-volt leads. A flash over seems to have occui red, because ..the voltage chart at Waihou sub-station indicated a- severe disturbance at &32 a.m., which was as near as. can be ascertained the time that .the accident happened. The flasjh over, caused the Kelman to trip automatically. In a further letter the engineer wrote: “Harold Thornton has been with .the board since June 5, 1923. He has been employed on construction work on all kinds of lines, and holds a.master wireman’s license for electrical installations. I looked upon him as a careful and capable young man, and one who was competent to Carry out the work he was engaged " upon, otherwise he would not have been given this work to do. With regard to the drying out .of the\trans=formers, he was actually instructed . upon three transformers in the service, and did eight others by himself after that, two of these latter being controlled by Kelman switches similar to that in use at the Waitoa factory. A copy of the, safety regulations issued to Thornton is enclosed. kOther safety instructions had alsp been issued, and had been signed by Thornton.” t ‘ Mr Strange asked if aything burther could be done to safeguard the men when working on the lines. There was no doubt’ that Thornton had been. fully instructed, but there might be others whose knowledge ' •should be tested. Mr Thomas thought it would be ad-vantageous-to make the men give practical of their knowledge in the presence of the engineer occasionally. ? The chairman produced a copv of the instructions issued, and said he did not see that the board could do much more. . The engineer could, of course,.-when On his rounds, test the knowledge of the meh. Mr Flatt: When an accident occurs is any kind of. inquiry held ? The Chairman: Yes. Investigations are made immediately. Mr Price thought that all accidents, even of a minor, nature, should be reported to the board, and any em.--jloyee who failed to. report should be instantly-dismissed. He moved , that instructions be issued that all a . c . c *" ’ dents be reported.—Seconded by Mr Flatt and carried. Replying to Mr Strange the engineer said that low tension live wires could be handled, with safety, but a disconnection should be made even in such a case as that, ' Mr Strange: Eighty volts will kill some men, while with others it would take 400 volts. On the motion of Mr Price a resolution was passed expressing sympathy. with Mr Thornton and wishing him'a speedy recovery.