KCP&L teaches local first responders about electrical safety

Wednesday, April 27, 2016
7,200 volts of electricity arcs between the line and the grounded pole held by KCP&L lineman Glen Maughmer. Gabe Franklin/Daily Mail

Nevada Daily Mail

Monday afternoon, Kansas City Power and Light employees Glen "Clifford" Maughmer and Shawn Spiwak gave a safety presentation to employees of the Nevada Fire Department, Police Department, and public works. Also in attendance were members of Sheldon Board of Aldermen, Sheldon Fire Department, and Vernon County Ambulance District.

Afterwards, Nevada Fire Chief William Thornton said, "I think we should just remind people the dangers of dealing with or being around arching or down power lines. If they should come across either situation, dial 911, so the proper authorities can be notified, and the problem can be isolated or fixed." Thornton also thanked KCP&L for allowing their safety crews to travel to Nevada and other locations to give their presentation.

Following introductions, Spiwak gave a brief explanation of electrical theory and distribution systems. He explained that electricity is always looking for the shortest path to the ground even if that includes you.

Spiwak explained that should you be involved in an accident and power lines are on your vehicle, the safest thing to do is to stay put until help arrives. If the vehicle catches fires, jump away from the car and land with both feet at the same time, do not fall back into the car. Shuffle your feet or bunny hop away from the vehicle. The point is to not create a path through yourself for electricity that may be flowing through the ground.

Spiwak explained to the first responders present, that removing an electric meter does not always shut off power to the building. Some meters, especially in commercial applications, simply measure the electricity flowing through the cable; the electricity does not flow through the meter.

He also explained the functions of reclosers. A recloser detects grounds created by objects coming into contact with the power lines like limbs, ladders, or squirrels. The recloser shuts off the power and then turns it back on to check to see if the ground cleared. This first instance happens quickly enough that most people never know it happens. The second and third times are increasingly longer.

Spiwak told the first responders present that if they are called to a sub-station fire, the safe course of action is to stay away, keep everyone back, and to let it burn. KCP&L employees will not even go near the station until the power is disconnected and the equipment will be ruined anyway.

He noted that an increasing phenomenon is for power poles to catch fire at ground level. Thieves have been stealing the copper grounding wire between the ground and as high as they can reach. If something fails, the system then uses the pole as a ground and it will often catch fire at ground level. Spiwak advised staying clear of all pole fires and to wait on KCP&L to respond and shut off the power.

He reminded the attendees that anyone who does any digging, should call 1-800-344-7483 or visit http://www.mo1call.com/ to request a locate for any utility lines that may run through the planned excavation area.

Spiwak is a rare survivor of a contact burn, which is where electricity ran through his body to ground. He was injured in May 2008, while working storm clean up north of Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Mo. His crew was dispatched at approximately 2 a.m. to a property where a downed tree pulled down a power line that ran along the backside of the property. The downed line caused the nearest system fuse to blow, which should have de-energized the circuit.

Another crew checked a nearby fuse that should have been and was open, but in the darkness they missed something. The line supplied by the fuse had been hit by lightning causing the wire to fail, swing up, and weld itself to its supply, bypassing the fuse and energizing the circuit.

Spiwak had climbed the original pole and was pulling the power line up with a rope. It made contact with his elbow and 7,200 volts of electricity travelled through him and out his knee, which was in contact with the pole's ground wire. He was rescued by his crew and taken by ambulance to the hospital. His injuries continued to "burn" for three days even though the doctors had not expected him to live past noon on Saturday.

He spent 10 weeks in the hospital the first time and lost his right arm, right leg, and left ring finger where his wedding ring had been. Doctors told him he had suffered fourth and fifth degree burns. Not only was his flesh burned, but his bones as well.

He spent a year and a half in and out of the hospital and underwent numerous surgeries.

He went back to work a year after his accident in the training department. He said, "I wanted to tell my story."

Following Spiwak's accident, the other linemen got together and formed a committee with the intent to improve safety. Numerous changes have been inspired by Spiwak's accident. Maughmer told attendees that "anytime you have something going on, communicate." A miscommunication almost cost Spiwak his life. Neither crew had actually tested the line to see if it was energized.

Electricity, while essential to our lives, should not to be taken for granted. If there is an electrical problem, call a qualified electrician; do not try to fix the problem yourself. If there is an emergency such as a fire or vehicle accident, call 911 and stay away from any downed electric lines.

For more information on electrical safety, go to: http://www.kcpl.com/about-kcpl/safety. More pictures of this event are available at www.nevadadailymail.com/gallery/kcpl2016demo

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