The morning of May 17, 2010, Stratus staff was on site with a private utility locator (Locator) to identify subsurface utilities and/or structures in preparation for forthcoming drilling activities. As part of the investigation, the Locator was tracing the electrical service to the forecourt lighting. The Locator approached a light standard in the southern corner of the site. When he approached, he noticed that the electrical access port cover at the base of the light was missing and that the wires had been previously “pulled” out of the access port. He identified a black, white, and green wire sticking out of the port. He was knowledgeable with electrical wiring techniques and understood that the green wire was the grounding conductor in place for safety reasons (per NEC Article 250) and he should be able to expose the copper of the ground lead (without breaking the connection) to attach a signal transmitter for tracing the wire back to the circuit breaker panel (across the forecourt).  

When the Locator attempted to remove the wire nut at the wire splice for the green wire, he received a “mild” shock. The line locator immediately initiated Stop Work, explained the situation to the Stratus staff, and after discussion developed a plan to safely push the wires into the light standard without further incident and to partially isolate the wires from subsequent exposures. The Locator was wearing gloves and not injured or burned. The station manager was informed of the incident and the deficiency with the cover plate on the light standard since changes/modifications were under the control of the retail operations.

Additional details can be read through the secure login under the Incident and Near Miss Projects.