safetman1
10-26-2007, 09:32 AM
Please keep Jason in your thoughts and prayers
Vero electric worker shocked by live wire
By Henry A. Stephens (Contact)
Friday, October 26, 2007
VERO BEACH — A city electric worker was shocked Thursday morning by a live wire while doing some preventive maintenance on a power switch at State Road 60 and 23rd Avenue.
Jason Erwin, 28, of Palm City, was transferred later to Orlando Regional Medical Center's Burn Unit for evaluation, city officials said.
Indian River County Assistant Fire Chief Brian Burkeen said Erwin was conscious and talking after the shock, but said he had "pretty significant burns on both hands," most in the thumb and palm area.
City Transmission and Distribution Director Randall McCamish said Erwin was up in a bucket about 10:20 a.m. Thursday, trying to move a switch from the east side of a power pole to the north side to avoid contact with tree limbs if the crew ever had to replace the fuse.
McCamish didn't know the details of how Erwin was shocked, and Erwin declined to comment later. But somehow, McCamish said, Erwin got near the top of the switch, which was connected to a line carrying 7,620 volts east-west along S.R. 60.
That much power, McCamish said, was enough to have shocked Erwin through the air, if he was close, without physical contact.
"This probably jumped out and got him," McCamish said.
The bottom of the switch, leading north across S.R. 60 at 23rd Avenue, had been cut off for the work, McCamish said, adding he didn't know why the top line was still live.
Firemedics first took Erwin to the Indian River Medical Center emergency room, where he was listed in fair condition before the transfer to Orlando.
"When you get a high-voltage shock, (doctors) won't know how you're doing internally for two or three days," McCamish said.
Records show Erwin joined the city as a lineman in August 2006 following similar work for Florida Power & Light Co. from 2000 through 2005.
Vero electric worker shocked by live wire
By Henry A. Stephens (Contact)
Friday, October 26, 2007
VERO BEACH — A city electric worker was shocked Thursday morning by a live wire while doing some preventive maintenance on a power switch at State Road 60 and 23rd Avenue.
Jason Erwin, 28, of Palm City, was transferred later to Orlando Regional Medical Center's Burn Unit for evaluation, city officials said.
Indian River County Assistant Fire Chief Brian Burkeen said Erwin was conscious and talking after the shock, but said he had "pretty significant burns on both hands," most in the thumb and palm area.
City Transmission and Distribution Director Randall McCamish said Erwin was up in a bucket about 10:20 a.m. Thursday, trying to move a switch from the east side of a power pole to the north side to avoid contact with tree limbs if the crew ever had to replace the fuse.
McCamish didn't know the details of how Erwin was shocked, and Erwin declined to comment later. But somehow, McCamish said, Erwin got near the top of the switch, which was connected to a line carrying 7,620 volts east-west along S.R. 60.
That much power, McCamish said, was enough to have shocked Erwin through the air, if he was close, without physical contact.
"This probably jumped out and got him," McCamish said.
The bottom of the switch, leading north across S.R. 60 at 23rd Avenue, had been cut off for the work, McCamish said, adding he didn't know why the top line was still live.
Firemedics first took Erwin to the Indian River Medical Center emergency room, where he was listed in fair condition before the transfer to Orlando.
"When you get a high-voltage shock, (doctors) won't know how you're doing internally for two or three days," McCamish said.
Records show Erwin joined the city as a lineman in August 2006 following similar work for Florida Power & Light Co. from 2000 through 2005.