ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Death Wish?

Was talking with a family member over the holiday who works for a water well company. He related how he frequently uses a corded hammer drill in a flooded well pit with water up to his knees. He also has used a corded sawzall to cut open old water tanks and plumbing where the water flows out all over the tool.

He says that whenever these tools are powered from a GFI protected receptacle the GFI trips. (Gee, what a surprise!)

The clincher is that whenever this happens his boss tells him to plug the extension cord into a regular receptacle. Those GFI's are a PITA.

I just shook my head and asked if his company had a life insurance policy on him with them named as the beneficiary.

-Hal

Sounds typical. I love it when customers call to tell us there is something wrong with the GFCI or breaker we installed because it is tripping. They can't fathom that the problem is their tool or appliance.

Just hope that the grounding pin on the plugs he uses are really grounded. Else the fault
current that is going to the ground would then go thru himself....

I would have taken that relative and given him a nice lesson in electrical current flow and grounding using a piece of paper. It is amazing the small amount of knowledge people have about using these tools safely. The employee probably feels because his boss is older that he is wiser and thinks what he is doing is safe. Sounds like a company that hasn't caught up to the 21st century yet. How can anyone use corded tools if it isn't necessary.
Ron

I hate to say this, but where is OSHA when they are needed,before they become submittal material to the darwinawards site.::frown

Just have to hate those pesky GFCI's, always tripping when a job needs to be done.

edited to add comments.

[This message has been edited by NORCAL (edited 12-27-2004).]

Remember, even with a good ground pin, the current will divide amongst the the grounded conductor, grounding conductor/n-g bond and the person through the water and back to ground rod/n-g bond. The current doesn't care, it wants to get back to the neutral of its source any way it can.

would have taken that relative and given him a nice lesson in electrical current flow and grounding using a piece of paper.

The guy is not stupid, ignorant maybe enough to take his chances rather than cause problems with his job.

This all boils down to the fact that his company provides the tools he uses. They should know how they will need to be used and provide accordingly.

His boss is a cheap SOB who won't spend a nickle more than he has to. What do you want to bet that there are ground pins cut off somewhere, either on the tool or extension cord?

-Hal

Hal, is there any way to anonymously sic OSHA on this boss?

Sure it would get your relative in trouble with the bum, but at least you won't have to risk having to attend his burial.

They would have to catch them in the act otherwise the citations for defective extension cords and other usual stuff around a job site or shop won't mean a thing. Unfortunately the thing that will get the proper attention is a death.

This is also a place where a union could make a difference.

-Hal

It sounds like your friend needs a new job, pronto!

[This message has been edited by SolarPowered (edited 12-27-2004).]