Condition improves for workers who were shocked while putting up Xmas lights
Nov 26, 2007
RED DEER, Alta. -- The company that employed several workers who were shocked with electricity while putting up Christmas decorations says the men's conditions are improving.
King's Energy Services Ltd. president Jason King says other workers at the site jumped into action after four co-workers were zapped by 25,000 volts of electricity on Saturday.
Two of the men were initially listed in critical condition.
King says one of those men may be allowed to go home as early as this week, while the other man is now in serious but stable condition.
He says five workers were trying to reposition one of the metal-framed light displays outside the Red Deer business when it came close to the overhead power line.
Occupational Health and Safety has issued a stop work order to the company against putting up any more of the Christmas decorations.
Names of the men haven't been released.
Four people suffered electric shock, including the two who were critically injured.
A fifth worker had inadvertently grounded himself due to the way he was holding onto the display and wasn't hurt.
He, along with the two less-badly injured workers, began treating the pair who were more-seriously shocked.
"Because of the quick actions of everyone who was involved, I would highly suggest they saved the lives of two people," said King on Monday.
"They were able to get mobilized," King said. "They did an initial triage assessment." King said the men who were putting up the display had done the same type of work before.
A spokesman for Occupational Health and Safety, Barrie Harrison, said officers from Red Deer will be investigating over several days.
King's Energy Services must also do a hazardous assessment and assess safe working distances around power lines.
(submitted by Tony Moscioni)
