The following was taken from OSHA's site. It reports on an electrocution that should not have taken place.

Accident Search Detail

Accident 014392328 - Electric Shock - Ground Fault in Hand Lamp

Accident 014392328 -- Report ID: 0625700
Inspection: 300397965
Open: 10/08/1997
SIC: 7363
Hutco, Inc. .

An employee of a contract labor firm was working with a fitter on the port liquid mud tank in the double bottom of a ship in dry dock at a shipyard. Shortly before
10:30 PM, another employee (a fitter) replaced the light bulb on a portable hand lamp in the space. The first employee picked up an extension cord set and the
hand lamp so that he could connect them. He was electrocuted. The hand lamp and the extension cord were grounded. However, after the accident, the duplex
receptacle used with the extension cord was tested and found to have reversed polarity and an open ground. The employee had been supervised by the shipyard
supervisor and had been using equipment supplied by the shipyard.
Review: X Keywords: electrical,electrocuted,ground fault,equipment grounding ,shipyard,electric light, port,reverse polarity,cord set,e m,
Inspection
Age
Sex
Degree
Nature
Occupation
1
300397965
24
M
Fatality
Electric Shock
Occupation Not Reported

Joe,

I admittedly, know nothing of the requirements for a location such as this. I would think that GFCI protection would be required and could have prevented this tragedy. I am curious as to why it was not mentioned. Is it not required for some reason?

Bill

Bill:

I believe that Article 305 could have been applied to this situation.

305-6(a) Receptacle Outlets.

All 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that are in use by personnel shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

If a receptacle(s) is installed or exists as part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and is used for temporary electric power, ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel shall be provided.

For the purposes of this section, cord sets or devices incorporating listed ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel identified for portable use shall be permitted.

In review of said article i see that it now includes 30A 125V in the 99 cycle.