Electrician Suffers Serious Injuries During Transformer Repair

This case involves an electrician who was called to fix a malfunction of an electrical transformer at a Washington construction site. Despite the electrician’s unfamiliarity with the construction site, the electrician was not warned of any particular hazards. The electrician proceeded to open the transformer box using a long pole to keep a distance. To maneuver the pole, the electrician took a few steps back. He subsequently fell into an unmarked hole in the ground that was approximately 2 feet deep and concealed by debris. The electrician suffered severe damage to both his legs and lower back which permanently disabled him.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Please briefly describe your familiarity with the subject matter described above.

2. Can you speak to the warnings required at construction sites, and the proper OSHA compliance as it relates to this case?

3. Have you ever served as an expert on a similar case? If so, please explain.

Expert Witness Response E-008521

Given my extensive background in engineering and occupational safety, I certainly understand the issues at play in this case. It certainly is a reasonable expectation that a hole of this size would be marked to avoid these sorts of accidents.