Window Cleaner Fatally Electrocuted

Man hurt in window-cleaning accident: Johannesburg - A man was badly burnt and critically injured when he apparently received a shock while cleaning windows in Kramerville, Sandton, paramedics said on Saturday. "...It was said that the man was cleaning windows on the outside of the building when he somehow came into contact with electrical wires overhead and he was [shocked] and as a result his body badly burnt," ER24 spokesperson Vanessa Jackson said. She said safety officials at the company would conduct the necessary investigations to discover the exact cause. The man, in his 30s, was extensively burnt in the accident on Friday. He was airlifted to Milpark Hospital's specialised burns unit.

Earlier incident where a man was electrocuted in Sandton: A panic-stricken employee at a business on Kramer street on Kramerville, Sandton, was unable to state exactly what had taken place at the site when she called through to 084124 earlier today. All we knew was that a man had been electrocuted and he was no longer conscious. They needed immediate medical assistance.

Upon arrival on scene, a man in his 30′s was found to be in a critical condition; badly burnt and unresponsive. Paramedics started to treat the extensive burn injuries he had sustained while the Advanced Life Support paramedics prepped his equipment and placed the man onto external ventilation equipment. While they continued his treatment, trying to stabilise his condition before being able to move him, a medical helicopter was called in to assist so as to get the man to a medical facility as soon as possible.

With Milpark hospital having a specialised burns unit, the man was packaged into the air ambulance and a short while later he was airborne to hospital.

Although safety officials at the company will need to conduct the necessary investigations into what exactly happened, it was said that the man was cleaning windows on the outside of the building when he somehow came in contact with electrical wires overhead and he was electrocuted and as a result his body badly burnt.

No Pay-Out For Window Cleaner

Jury: "SDG&E Not Liable For Window Washer's Injuries" - Jurors Wednesday ruled against a local man who sued San Diego Gas & Electric after losing parts of his arms in an accident. Shane Cahill was severely injured in 2008 while washing windows on top of a Mission Bay condominium. About 12,000 volts of electricity rushed through his body when the metal pole he was using touched an SDG&E power line. Cahill sued the utility for medical expenses that could range into the millions of dollars. After a nearly three-week trial, the jury sided with the utility, voting 10-2 that the company was not liable for Cahill's injuries. "This was not a safe condition," Cahill's attorney, Todd Macaluso, said Tuesday in closing arguments. "This was an accident waiting to happen." SDG&E's attorney, William Calders, countered, "It's a good story and it reads well, but it isn't supported by the facts."

Macaluso said the power company knew those lines were too low and still did nothing to fix them. He added the company did not meet a certain standard and called it "negligence." Calders argued Cahill was negligent because Cahill himself testified he never saw the power lines that were only feet away. Macaluso said at best his client is only 20 percent responsible for the accident, leaving SDG&E responsible for 80 percent of the injuries that left Cahill with two prosthetic forearms.

SDG&E issued the following statement Wednesday afternoon regarding the verdict: What happened to Mr. Cahill is a tragedy. SDG&E is deeply sympathetic for the injuries he suffered as a result of contact with our facilities. We appreciate the jury's thoughtful and thorough review of the facts and their conclusion that SDG&E was not negligent and that what happened to Mr. Cahill was an accident.

SDG&E cleared in window cleaner accident - A jury cleared San Diego Gas & Electric Co. of any liability in the case of a window washer who lost both arms in an electrocution accident in 2008, the worker's attorney said Wednesday. Shane Cahill was shocked by 12,000 volts while he cleaned windows at a Mission Bay condominium. He lost both of his arms and faces medical bills that could run into the millions of dollars, said his attorney, Carlsbad-based Todd Macaluso. In 2009, Cahill sued the utility for medical expenses.  Macaluso said he had great respect for the jury. "We believe the law needs to be changed," Macaluso said in a written statement. "What happened to Mr. Cahill is a tragedy," SDG&E said in a written statement. "SDG&E is deeply sympathetic for the injuries he suffered as a result of contact with our facilities. We appreciate the jury's thoughtful and thorough review of the facts and their conclusion that SDG&E was not negligent and that what happened to Mr. Cahill was an accident."

Trial For Window Cleaner Who Lost Arms Goes To Jury

Former Window Washer's Suit Against SDG&E Goes To Jury -Shane Cahill Lost Part Of Arms When Pole He Was Using To Wash Windows Hit 12,000 Volt Power Line: A jury will now decide who is responsible for the accident that left a San Diego man without part of his arms. Closing arguments wrapped up Tuesday afternoon in the case of Shane Cahill. He is suing San Diego Gas and Electric for medical expenses that could range into the millions of dollars. 

Cahill's attorney and SDG&E's attorney spoke one final time in front of the jury. "This was not a safe condition," said Cahill's attorney Todd Macaluso. "This was an accident waiting to happen." SDG&E's attorney, William Calders, said, "It's a good story and it reads well, but it isn't supported by the facts." Cahill lost part of his arms four years ago while washing windows on top of a Mission Bay condo. About 12,000 volts of electricity rushed through his body when the metal pole he was using touched an SDG&E power line.

Macaluso said the power company knew those lines were too low and still did nothing to fix them. "They should have met the 25-foot standard and they didn't," said Macaluso. "Ladies and gentlemen, that is negligence." Calders argued it was Cahill who was negligent because Cahill testified he never saw the power lines that were only feet away. "He had 16 opportunities in the three-hour period of time to see electrical lines," said Calders. "How many times did he see the lines? None."

Macaluso said at best his client is only 20 percent responsible for the accident, leaving SDG&E responsible for 80 percent of the injuries that left Cahill with two prosthetic forearms. "I think that's fair," said Macaluso. "I think that's reasonable."

Calders asked the jury to remove compassion from their minds and only focus on the facts. "You can't take concern for Mr. Cahill, who is a very nice gentleman, who has had a serious event, and I will agree to that," said Calders. "But you can't take that into your deliberations." The jury will begin deliberations Wednesday morning. 

Former Window Washer Testifies Against SDG&E: The local window washer who lost part of his arms in an accident testified Monday morning in his lawsuit against San Diego Gas & Electric. Shane Cahill spoke softly as he talked about the moments immediately after 12,000 volts of electricity shot through a metal pole and into his body. "My body just tensing up, tensing," he said. "It seemed to get tighter and tighter. I couldn't move much."

Four years ago, Cahill was cleaning the windows on top of a condo in Mission Bay. He was shocked when his equipment hit a power line. Cahill's attorneys argue that SDG&E's power lines were too close to the condo. Cahill said he could not remember how long it took for someone to come help him. "I was pretty stressed out, so I'm not really sure how long," he said. Cahill lost both of his hands and part of his forearms. Using prosthetics, he demonstrated for his attorney and the jury how the metal window washing pole was set up at the time of the accident.

On cross-examination, SDG&E's attorneys said the power lines were in compliance and tried painting a picture that Cahill himself was negligent. One attorney for SDG&E showed Cahill another version of the same metal pole and asked him what was written on the side of the pole. "Watch for wires," answered Cahill.

The defense also kept track of how many times Cahill walked in and out of the condo without noticing the power poles and power lines next to the condo. "Did you happen to notice that there were electrical lines, or guidelines or communications lines outside of the windows?" a defense attorney asked. "No," answered Cahill. "Never saw them?" asked the attorney. "No, I did not," Cahill said.

The tally got up to 14 times before the judge called it a day. Cahill's attorneys previously argued that those wires should have been at least 25 feet away. They were only 12 feet away from the condo when Cahill touched one with the metal pole. When asked if he thought he was going to die, Cahill said, "I thought I was, yes." Cahill will wrap up his testimony Tuesday morning. He is suing for unspecified damages that could total in the tens of millions of dollars.

Water Fed Pole User Sues For Loosing Both Arms

Shane Cahill Lost Both Arms When Pole He Was Using To Wash Windows Hit 12,000 Volt Power Line.

Former Window Washer Suing SDG&E For Damages (San Diego): Shane Cahill Lost Both Arms When Pole He Was Using To Wash Windows Hit 12,000 Volt Power Line. A former window washer who lost both of his arms when the pole he was using to wash windows hit a power line is now suing San Diego Gas & Electric. "It was an accident waiting to happen," attorney Todd Macaluso told a civil court jury Tuesday. Macaluso is representing Shane Cahill, a former window washer who lost both of his arms when the 7-foot pole he was using atop a Mission Bay condominium came into contact with a 12,000 volt power line.

"These wires should never have been there. Never," said Macaluso, who told the jury that by law SDG&E should have kept its lines at least 25 feet from the building where Cahill was injured in 2008. "Mr Cahill is standing there washing the windows," Macaluso told the jury. "All of the sudden he feels his body freeze up. He can't move. He is then thrown on the ground." The owner of the condominium, Mario Maio ran upstairs after hearing the commotion. "And sees Mr. Cahill on the ground with his hands curled, and he's smoldering," said Macaluso.

Cahill now has two prosthetic arms and is permanently disabled. His medical bills have topped the $9 million mark, according to Macaluso. "It's SDG&E that has exclusive control over these transmission lines," Macaluso said in closing. "It's SDG&E that has the exclusive right and obligation to maintain them, and it's SDG&E who we expect to comply with the law." SDG&E's lawyer told the jury Cahill should take personal responsibility for what happened. William Calders described how Cahill walked back and forth on the rooftop deck, carrying his equipment to the 3-foot tall glass railing he was hired to clean. Calders said Cahill should have seen the transmission lines.

"How can you miss these lines? Never saw them. Never knew they were there? Never was concerned for his own safety? He wanted somebody else to take care of it," Calders told jurors. Calders also said the property's owner should be held accountable for adding a rooftop deck, a railing and a Jacuzzi without the proper building permits, in violation of city code and California Coastal Commission rules. "If this railing isn't there, If this Jacuzzi isn't there, If Mr. Maio had followed the law, would Mr. Cahill be sitting here like he is today?" asked Calders. "The answer is very clear. If there's no railing, there's nobody on the roof cleaning that railing and there's no way this accident happens."

Calders said SDG&E was in full compliance with California law, and that the power lines were properly installed and maintained. Jurors are expected to hear testimony over the next two weeks, including a visit to the rooftop where Cahill was injured. Cahill is seeking damages for medical bills and lost wages, as well as punitive damages against the utility for what his lawyer calls the wrongful and negligent actions and inactions of SDG&E.

"We believe that these lines as they exist do not comply with the general order 95 which require certain clearances from residences and pools such as this deck."

Window Washer Gets High Voltage Shock. A routine job ended in tragedy when part of his equipment touched a power line. Now the man is suing SDG&E. A 3-story building in Mission Bay was Shane Cahill’s last window washing job of the day. On that Wednesday, September 3, 2008, Cahill started his routine like he did on every job, every day. He took his position on the building’s rooftop deck and started washing the home’s glass windows when suddenly he realized something was very wrong. "I pulled all my hose over, doing my daily routine… stuck the pole over the glass and all of a sudden I got a super strong grip on the pole and I realized I hit a power line," said Cahill.

An electric shock traveled through his body, destroying the veins in his arms. Cahill, 34, woke up from an induced coma 72 days later at the UCSD Burn Center and was surprised at his condition. "Waking up to no hands realizing that life's changed. That's probably the worst,” Cahill said. He has since filed a lawsuit against SDG&E. His attorney, Todd Macalusco believes the position of the power lines is too close to the home where Cahill was working. "We believe that these lines as they exist do not comply with the general order 95 which require certain clearances from residences and pools such as this deck," Macalusco.

SDG&E released this statement: “This was a terrible accident and we are deeply sorry to hear about Mr. Cahill's loss. We take seriously our responsibility to safely operate and maintain our power lines - it’s our top priority. It's unfortunate that the plaintiff's lawyer failed to contact us about this incident and listed the wrong address in the complaint he filed with the court. Now that we do know the address, we will begin an immediate investigation to determine what happened.” Meanwhile Cahill is learning how to move on. "So here I am living. I'm an active guy. I like rock climbing street bike racing - it's something I'll never be able to do again."

On September 3, 2008, Cahill, an employee of Lily's Window Cleaning (Employer) (excerpts), suffered severe burns and other injuries when his metal window-washing pole made contact with the SDGE 12,000-volt electrical line located in the alley, higher than and adjacent to Property's roof. At the time of the incident, Cahill was preparing to wash the glass railing on the southwest corner of the roof, while standing with one foot on a metal air conditioning unit and his other foot on the bottom of the glass railing. On November 13, 2008, Cahill filed a personal injury action against SDGE, alleging it was negligent per se for constructing and maintaining electrical lines too close to Property in violation of state law (i.e., Cal. Pub. Utilities Com. General Order No. 95).2 In December, SDGE filed an answer denying Cahill's allegations and asserting various affirmative defenses.
Defendant and cross-complainant San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDGE) appeals an order dismissing its cross-complaint for equitable indemnity against cross-defendants Maurice Maio, David Zeiger, and Nantasket Court Condominium Association (collectively Owners) after the trial court found that Owners' $25,000 settlement with plaintiff Shane Cahill was made in good faith within the meaning of Code of Civil Procedure section 877.6.1 On appeal, SDGE contends the trial court abused its discretion by granting Owners' section 877.6 motion and dismissing its cross-complaint because, applying the relevant factors set forth in Tech-Bilt, Inc. v. Woodward-Clyde & Associates (1985) 38 Cal.3d 488 (Tech-Bilt), no rational trial court could conclude the settlement was made in good faith and insufficient evidence supports the trial court's findings. SDGE also asserts the trial court erred by denying its separate motion for summary judgment against Cahill.

Grim Window Cleaning News

Mystery over attacks on car: A father says he is at his wit’s end after a number of serious vandalism attacks outside his home, which he believes are down to a case of mistaken identity. Baffled Alan Whitby says the incidents have left his young family terrified. In the past five weeks, his car has been damaged twice outside his home on Percy Street in Sutton. On one occasion, every window of the silver Vectra was shattered and on another, paint was thrown over it. His friend, Daniel Guest, also had his car torched when it was parked outside the house.

Alan, a 44-year-old window cleaner, said: “I don’t want to make accusations. I have lived in St Helens for 14 years, but keep myself to myself. “The kids are terrified. They are only nine, 11 and 12. I think it’s down to targeting the wrong person. I have been told someone who used to live round here also had a silver Vectra. “I can’t even claim on the insurance, because I’m only third party, so it’s going to cost me at least £400 to sort out. The car’s only worth £1,000. “And after Danny’s car was burned out, I had a hammer through my car window. I hope it stops, because I can’t afford this.” Neighbourhood Inspector, Chris Gibson, said: “We have given crime prevention advice and an officer has been assigned to look into the incidents and look at potential CCTV opportunities.

Carer stole thousands from 94-year-old: Joseph Bennett should have been caring for and helping out frail pensioner Philip Coakes, of Churchill, but instead he allegedly took more than £18,000 from his account without permission over four months. Bennett, aged 39, appeared at North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges on Tuesday charged with two counts of fraud by abuse of position. Jane Cooper, prosecuting, said: “Mr Coakes is described as frail and his health has been deteriorating over the years. “Bennett was entrusted with the PIN number for Mr Coakes’ card, but there was a breach of trust and there is substantial evidence that he helped himself by using the card or by writing cheques.” Ms Cooper said the financial details were looked at ‘with a fine toothcomb’ and that £18,145.97 was taken from the victim.

Bennett who began as a window cleaner for Mr Coakes and his late wife Hazel six years ago, pleaded guilty to acting against the financial interests of the victim, but is disputing the actual figure involved. As Bennett believes the amount stolen between September 2010 and January this year is more like £9,000, the case was adjourned for him to seek further legal advice. The next hearing will be held on May 17. Charles Hart, defending, said: “He accepts everything about the transactions but feels the figures are not accurate.” The court heard that, from about 2007, as the health of Mr Coakes, of The Drive, deteriorated, Bennett was asked to carry out full-time work such as cooking, gardening and cleaning, and was paid £300 per week.

After it was discovered that Bennett, of Tavistock Road, Worle, dishonestly withdrew £1,500, Mr Coakes agree that he could work back the funds – but when more cash was taken later, police became involved. Speaking from the dock, Bennett said: “I do not want Mr Coakes to have to come to court at any cost. I just want this to be over and done with.” The court’s legal clerk said Bennett could face jail and he may have to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court due to the severity of the crime.

On September 3, 2008, Cahill, an employee of Lily's Window Cleaning (Employer) (excerpts), suffered severe burns and other injuries when his metal window-washing pole made contact with the SDGE 12,000-volt electrical line located in the alley, higher than and adjacent to Property's roof. At the time of the incident, Cahill was preparing to wash the glass railing on the southwest corner of the roof, while standing with one foot on a metal air conditioning unit and his other foot on the bottom of the glass railing. On November 13, 2008, Cahill filed a personal injury action against SDGE, alleging it was negligent per se for constructing and maintaining electrical lines too close to Property in violation of state law (i.e., Cal. Pub. Utilities Com. General Order No. 95).2 In December, SDGE filed an answer denying Cahill's allegations and asserting various affirmative defenses.

Defendant and cross-complainant San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDGE) appeals an order dismissing its cross-complaint for equitable indemnity against cross-defendants Maurice Maio, David Zeiger, and Nantasket Court Condominium Association (collectively Owners) after the trial court found that Owners' $25,000 settlement with plaintiff Shane Cahill was made in good faith within the meaning of Code of Civil Procedure section 877.6.1 On appeal, SDGE contends the trial court abused its discretion by granting Owners' section 877.6 motion and dismissing its cross-complaint because, applying the relevant factors set forth in Tech-Bilt, Inc. v. Woodward-Clyde & Associates (1985) 38 Cal.3d 488 (Tech-Bilt), no rational trial court could conclude the settlement was made in good faith and insufficient evidence supports the trial court's findings. SDGE also asserts the trial court erred by denying its separate motion for summary judgment against Cahill.

In April 2009, Cahill and Owners entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which Owners paid Cahill $25,000 in exchange for the release of all claims he may have had against them arising out of his September 3, 2008, injury. In May, SDGE filed a cross-complaint against Owners for apportionment of fault and equitable indemnification, alleging Owners should be held legally responsible for their comparative negligence in causing Cahill's injuries. Owners subsequently filed a cross-complaint against SDGE for indemnity and other relief. In July, Delos Insurance Company filed a complaint-in-intervention against SDGE for recovery of workers' compensation benefits it paid to Cahill as a result of SDGE's alleged negligence. In August, SDGE filed a motion for summary judgment against Cahill. The trial court issued an order denying that motion.

"The court finds that sufficient evidence has been presented demonstrating that the settlement between [Cahill] and [Owners] is in good faith." The order then set forth the Tech-Bilt factors the court was required to consider in making that good faith settlement determination and noted that SDGE had the burden to prove the settlement was not made in good faith. The order stated: "In this case, [SDGE] contends that the settlement is not a fair approximation of [Owners'] potential liability for a number of reasons. [SDGE] is correct that [Owners] could be found directly liable where their negligence contributes to [Cahill's] injuries. [Citation.] [SDGE] is also correct that a land owner has (at least under some circumstances) a duty to take affirmative action to remedy the power line height violation. [Citations.] However, . . . the pertinent violation is measured in inches. Would an ordinary and reasonable land owner even recognize the existence of this violation?

Accordingly, we begin by addressing the first Tech-Bilt factor, which consists of two parts (i.e., a rough approximation of Cahill's total recovery and Owners' proportionate liability). We conclude the trial court could rationally find that, based on information available at the time of the settlement, a reasonable person could believe Owners had little, if any, potential liability for Cahill's injuries. As SDGE represents, it was undisputed that there was no General Order No. 95 clearance violation at the point of Cahill's contact with the electrical line because the 8.6-foot clearance exceeded the 8-foot minimum for "nonwalkable" surfaces.10 Therefore, in April 2009 Cahill and Owners presumably believed Owners had no potential liability to Cahill arising out of General Order No. 95 at the point of contact near the roof's southwest corner.
Nevertheless, the record supports an inference that in April 2009 Cahill was aware of the alleged General Order No. 95 minimum clearance violation near the Jacuzzi, which was located on the roof's northwest corner away from the southwest corner where he contacted the electrical line. Based on the November 2008 survey performed for Cahill by David Grimes, the distance between the Jacuzzi's "walkable" wood deck and the nearest electrical line was 11.8 feet, slightly less than the 12-foot minimum that General Order No. 95 required. Despite Cahill's presumed knowledge of that apparent clearance violation, the record on appeal does not show that in April 2009 Cahill had developed any specific theory of causation, and thus liability, based on that violation.11 Rather, it appears Cahill did not develop and assert a specific theory of causation and resultant liability based on that remote clearance violation until December 2009 in the course of opposing SDGE's motion for summary judgment.
The record shows that in December 2009 Cahill, in addressing the trial court's concern that such a remote clearance violation could not have been a substantial factor in causing his injuries, provided supplemental briefing and a declaration of an expert, Voyko Banjac, presenting a newly developed theory of causation, i.e., that had the electrical line been 12 feet from the wood deck of the Jacuzzi on the roof's northwest corner, then (based on Banjac's assumptions) the clearance distance of the electrical line at the point of contact on southwest corner would have been sufficiently greater (i.e., 2.4 inches more) such that Cahill's pole would have been about one inch short of contacting that line and therefore the accident would not have occurred. Furthermore, on December 23, 2009, Cahill signed a declaration stating that (contrary to his July 2009 interrogatory response stating his pole was fully compacted and only seven feet long, or 84 inches, at the time of the accident) he had recently inspected that pole and now believed it was extended to 115 inches (i.e., nine feet, seven inches) long at the time of the accident because one of its tubes was bent and could not be retracted. 

Accordingly, at the time of the April 2009 settlement, Cahill had not yet developed and asserted his specific theory of causation, and thus liability, based on the remote clearance violation involving the Jacuzzi's wood deck. Absent knowledge of that theory or other viable theory of causation, Cahill and Owners presumably were unaware of any potential liability of Owners at the time of their April 2009 settlement. Accordingly, the trial court could rationally conclude that a reasonable person, based on the information available at the time of the April 2009 settlement, could believe Owners (and, possibly, SDGE) had little, if any, potential liability for Cahill's injuries. Furthermore, the trial court also could, and presumably did, consider its own judicial experience in concluding Owners' potential liability was "so remote" that the settlement amount ($25,000) was within the ballpark of good faith settlements under section 877.6. Although in opposing Owners' section 877.6 motion, SDGE asserted Cahill's damages were conservatively estimated at about $5 million and he had claimed $40 million in damages, the trial court could have concluded those amounts were exaggerated and, in any event, the amount of his damages nevertheless greatly exceeded its estimate of Cahill's total recovery.

Another Window Cleaner Electrocuted - South Africa - R.I.P Elky

Shock fells window cleaner: A window cleaner plunged four metres onto a pavement after suffering an electric shock in Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon, said Netcare 911. Spokesperson Jeff Wicks said he was critically injured and was taken to Milpark Hospital. The incident occurred at the intersection of Small and Bree streets in Johannesburg. Wicks said the man was thought to have been thrown from his cleaning platform after making contact with an electrical transformer.

Tragic OAP was yards from home when he died: An old age pensioner was just yards from his home when he was knocked down and killed on Thursday evening. And now Alexander McClymont’s devastated family are calling on the council to make the corner where he died safer for pedestrians. Alexander, or Elky as he was known to his friends, was trying to cross the road at Bonnyton Road’s junction with Fullarton Street when the accident happened. Elky leaves a family of four children – daughters Jackie, Andrea, Audrey and son Stevie – seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The sprightly 70-year-old, who used to work at Glenfield and Kennedy, was better known in Kilmarnock as a window cleaner in the town centre. Said daughter Jackie: “Dad was a really fit man and had a lot of living left to do. He walked everywhere and I know he felt 21 inside. “This is a bad corner where dad died. The pavement runs out and he was having to cross to where it starts again. Perhaps the council should consider lights or a zebra crossing. “When we were putting flowers down another elderly man was trying to cross the road and he was almost hit too.”

The family are still in shock over their dad’s sudden passing, but want to give their thanks to the people who came to his aid following the accident. Added Jackie: “We think dad probably died either at the scene or shortly before he arrived at hospital, but we haven’t all the details yet. “We do know that there were people there helping him and we want to sincerely thank everyone who was with him. We are really grateful.”

The Window Cleaners Socks + Orinda Electric Fine

33,000-volt jolt: Staten Islander's incredible story of survival: STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - As he lay on the ground, feet smoldering, boots singed, holes burned through his white cotton socks, the first thought that went through Nick Genovese’s head was "Don’t die." Some 33,000 volts of electricity had just surged through the Oakwood window washer’s body, after the 40-foot metal washing pole he was holding with his partner made contact with power lines outside an office building in Lynbrook, L.I. "The wind caught it and we seemed to lose a little balance," Genovese said. "I felt the electric shock going through me." "I felt like I was getting fried," added Genovese, 58, the father of two teenage daughters. "The jolt knocked me to the ground. I felt my hands and my feet starting to burn." He never lost consciousness, he said, and he was aware of his surroundings the whole time. It was like something out of a cartoon, he said, his body shaking like the animated characters Tom and Jerry when their tails got stuck in a socket. "It went in my hands and out my feet," Genovese said. "The electricity came out my socks and boots."
His partner, Alan Weinberg, 64, was holding tighter to the pole and was critically injured. Weinberg "passed away at the scene," according to Genovese. It took 20 minutes for emergency responders to revive Weinberg, and he remains hospitalized. Genovese suffered-third degree burns of his feet and between his thumbs and index fingers, where he had grasped the pole with his hands, which were covered with insulated rubber gloves. "His feet actually went on fire in the boots," said his wife, Joann Genovese. After the accident, Genovese called his wife from his bed in Nassau County Medical Center’s East Meadow Burn Unit. "I have a problem," he said over the phone. Her thoughts automatically ran to car crash, she said. "I got electrocuted," he told her. "You got what?!" she responded in disbelief.
Curious to learn just how lucky he’d been to survive such a shock, Genovese did some research on the Internet. "I survived 11 times the voltage of the electric chair," he said, after his search showed a typical chair carries about 3,000 volts. Genovese said he has been told he’s not out of the woods yet and will have to be checked out by a neurologist, cardiologist and ophthalmologist to make sure the electricity didn’t cause any internal damage. Now under the care of Dr. Michael Cooper at Staten Island University Hospital’s burn unit, Genovese is expected to learn today if he’ll need skin-graft surgery, or be left to heal on his own.
In the window-washing business for 41 years, Genovese works for the New York Racing Association, and was working with Weinberg as a side job to make extra money for Christmas. Despite his ordeal, he’s going right back to work when he recovers, he said. Genovese was never particularly religious, he said, but he told a news reporter that after he has recovered, "I’m going back to church." A nun in the hospital who had read his quote in an article about his ordeal approached him and said, "I hope you keep your word. He’s watching you up there." "I know I’m blessed in more ways than one," Genovese said. "I’ve got good friends, a great family, a loving wife and two beautiful children. I’m just looking to heal and get better." When he was discharged last week, a nurse told him, "Go home and evaluate your life, because you are here for a purpose." "I don’t know what my purpose is yet," he said, reflecting on the accident from the comfort of his living room recliner. "I’m just blessed, and happy to be alive and to be home." Last Blog on this story here.

Santa Clara company fined over Orinda window cleaning accident: A Santa Clara-based window washing company has been fined $17,550 after an Orinda electrical accident that injured two of their employees, one fatally. The state Department of Occupational Safety and Health issued three citations Friday against the Delta Window Cleaning Company stemming from the June 5 accident. Jose Herrera and Eduardo Guerra were severely burned when the bucket of their cherry picker came into contact with high-voltage transmission lines over downtown Orinda. Herrera died of his injuries nearly three weeks later. The most serious citation says Herrera and Guerra came within one foot of the power lines despite regulations mandating they be at least 13 feet away. See the story that broke here.

Water Fed Pole Electrocution - New York - Window Cleaner Doing Well

SI Window Washer Survives 33K Volt Shock: Nicholas Genovese sat in his hospital room, his hands and feet still bandaged, and called his survival a "miracle.""I am not the best Catholic," the Staten Island window washer admitted.  "But I am going to start going to church again this Sunday." Genovese, 58, survived a jolt of thirty-three thousand volts of electricity while cleaning the windows of a Lynbrook office building Saturday. He and partner Alan Weinberg, 64, of Long Beach, apparently lost control of their forty feet long cleaning pole in the high winds, according to Lynbrook fire department spokesman Steve Grogran.

Both window washers were on the sidewalk outside the building, maneuvering the aluminum instrument toward the windows above, when it was blown onto high tension wires near the building.
"They probably shouldn't have been attempting that in those conditions," Grogan said. Both window washers were immediately knocked to the ground. "I blacked out for a second," said Genovese. "Then I felt the electricity run through my body." Genovese suffered third degree burns on his hands and feet but may have survived, said Grogan, because he did not have a firm grip on the pole. Weinberg, however, WAS holding it firmly in both hands and was badly injured. "He had no vital signs for nearly twenty minutes," said Grogan.

Lynbrook volunteer firefighters refused to give up their battle to save him and, with help from Lynbrook and Nassau police officers, finally restored Weinberg's pulse after three jolts from a defibrillator. Weinberg remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to a spokesperson for Nassau University Medical Center. Both window washers are now being treated there. Genovese, a father of three, usually serves as a window washer for NYRA; but was on this job as a way to make extra money this holiday season. He promised to be back out there as soon as he is healed; but will forever count his blessings. "I am very lucky," Genovese said. "You never expect something like this to happen to you."

Workers electrified in Lynbrook accident: Two workers were seriously injured in Lynbrook on Saturday when the 40-foot pole they were both holding was blown into a power line, causing a severe shock to both men. According to detectives, two men working for Hewlett Window Cleaners were preparing to wash the windows at Bank of America, at 300 Merrick Rd. using a telescoping 40-foot washing pole (pictured above). Nicholas Genovese 58, of Staten Island was holding the pole at the top of a ladder, while his co-worker, Alan Weinberg 64, of Long Beach was standing on the ground holding the bottom of the pole. A gust of wind blew the pole into a nearby power line, causing serious injury to both Genovese and Weinberg.

Weinberg was in cardiac arrest when police arrived. Lynbrook officer Doug King and NCPD Detective Gary Ferrucci began CPR, followed by Lynbrook firefighters, who were responding to a house fire on Robertson Road when they were notified of a second call for the reported “electrocution,” said fire department spokesperson Steve Grogan. "The Emergency Medical Company was three blocks away and was immediately diverted to the bank," he said. Grogan said that Weinberg was lying on the sidewalk in front of the bank when medics arrived, and his co-worker, Genovese, was lying nearby, being attended to by Lynbrook Police Officer Sal Sedita. At that point, firefighters and other Emergency Medical Technicians arrived and took over in attempting to revive Weinberg who had no pulse and was suffering burns to his hands and feet. Genovese was also suffering burns, but was conscious.

Both window washers were holding the 40-foot pole with a brush on one end as they cleaned the third story windows of the bank, when a gust of wind sent the pole into a 33,000 volt power line running along Merrick Road. Both were electrified and thrown to the sidewalk, with Weinberg going into cardiac arrest. For over 20 minutes, Grogan said, firefighters performed CPR and defibrillated Weinberg without success and without re-gaining a pulse. Finally, after being defibrillated - or shocked - a third time, he was finally revived in the Emergency Medical Company ambulance on the way to the hospital. "Electricity killed him and electricity brought him back to life," said Grogan.

Weinberg was transported to South Nassau Communities Hospital where he was stabilized and then transferred to Nassau University Medical Center Burn Unit for treatment of third and fourth-degree burns to his hands and feet. He is reported to be in very critical condition. Genovese was taken to Nassau University Medical Center and admitted to the Burn Unit for treatment of second and third degree burns. He is in stable condition, according to police. Fire officials also reported that Weinberg’s brother was shocked in a similar type incident some 20 years ago on Freer Street in Lynbrook. He survived.

Staten Island man survives 33,000-volt shock though his body: On Saturday, Nicholas Genovese took what could have been a fatal dose of electricity - 33,000 volts coursing through his and a fellow window washer’s body as they worked on a Long Island bank. Pictured above Joann Genovese dances with her husband, Nicholas. He could be out of the hospital by the weekend. Yesterday, Nicholas Genovese, 58, of Oakwood, was well enough to watch from his hospital bed as the New York Giants beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. Genovese, who has two daughters, ages 19 and 17, is recovering and in good spirits in a burn unit at Nassau University Medical Center, his wife, Joann, told the Advance last night.

“He just blacked out for a second,” Mrs. Genovese said. Genovese is slated to get skin graft surgery for his badly-burned hands and feet today or tomorrow, and may be out of the hospital as early as the weekend, she said. Genovese and a friend, Alan Weinberg, 64, were working for Hewlett Window Cleaners and preparing to wash the windows at a Bank of America branch in Lynbrook, L.I., with a 40-foot telescoping washing pole at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday when a wind gust pushed the pole into a power line. Weinberg was in cardiac arrest when police arrived. They performed CPR, and paramedics from the Lynbrook Fire Department continued treatment.

Weinberg was stabilized at South Nassau Communities Hospital and subsequently moved to Nassau University Medical Center Burn Unit for treatment of second- and third-degree burns to his hands and feet. He was in critical condition, but according to published reports is expected to survive. Mrs. Genovese said her husband called her from the hospital, at first telling her, “I had a problem.” When she asked him what happened, and if he had been in a car crash, he told her, “No, I got electrocuted.” “I was in shock. I said, ‘What? Are you going to be alright?’” she recalled. Genovese, who works at the Aqueduct Race Track and Belmont Park, was supposed to be on vacation this weekend, but took on the window washing job as a side gig, his wife said. “I’m lucky he’s not dead,” Mrs. Genovese said. “By rights, we’re supposed to be in the funeral parlor.”

First news release here.

See previous electrocution with water fed poles here & here.
Safety guidelines for water fed pole users here.
Solar Panel cleaning here.
Extreme study here.

Another Water Fed Pole Electrocution: New York

Long Island window washers suffer electric shock: Lynbrook, New York - Two men working as window washers on Long Island were injured when their washing pole hit a power line, causing an electric shock. The incident happened around 7:30 Saturday morning at the Bank of America on Merrick Road in Lynbrook. The two men who were working for Hewlett Window Cleaners were preparing to wash the building's windows when a gust of wind blew into the two men holding the 40' washing pole. 58-year-old Nicholas Genovese of Staten Island was holding the pole at the top of a ladder while 64-year-old Alan Weinberg of Long Beach was holding it on the ground. The wind blew the pole into a power line causing serious injury to both men.

Weinberg was in cardiac arrest and paramedics performed CPR to regain a heartbeat. He was rushed to South Nassau Communities Hospital where he was stabilized and then transferred to Nassau University Medical Center's Burn Unit for treatment of second and third degree burns to his hands and feet. He is listed in critical condition. Genovese was transported directly to Nassau University Medical Center where he was admitted to the Burn Unit for treatment of second and third degree burns. He is listed in stable condition.

L.I. Window Washers Injured After Electric Shock: Two window washers were hospitalized after receiving an electric shock in Lynbrook Saturday. The incident happened at 300 Merrick Road around 7:30 a.m. According to detectives, two men working for Hewlett Window Cleaners were preparing to wash the windows at a Bank of America branch using a telescoping 40-foot washing pole. Staten Island resident Nicholas Genovese, 58, was holding the pole at the top of a ladder while Alan Weinberg, 64, of Long Beach was standing on the ground holding the bottom of the pole. At that time, a gust of wind blew the pole into a power line.

Police said that by the time officers arrived, Weinberg was in cardiac arrest. They performed CPR, and paramedics from the Lynbrook Fire Department continued treatment. Weinberg was stabilized at South Nassau Communities Hospital and subsequently moved to Nassau University Medical Center Burn Unit for treatment of second and third degree burns to his hands and feet. He was in critical condition. Genovese suffered second and third degree burns. He was in stable condition at Nassau University Medical Center.

See previous electrocution with water fed poles here & here.

Safety guidelines for water fed pole users here.

Solar Panel cleaning here.

Extreme study here.

Arc Flash: What Every Window Cleaner & Water Fed Pole User Should Know

The unpredictability of arc flash incidents make them difficult to prevent: It’s been face-booked, tweeted, you-tubed, linked in and wikipediaed. And yet, despite its global name recognition, an electrical accident in the workplace kills a worker every 28 hours. According to an IEEE study involving more than 120,000 workers, arc flash was the culprit in more than 75% of those accidents. Electrical accidents represent a statistically small percentage of work-related incidents, often occurring even in facilities that have passed formal inspections within recent months, but they’re disproportionately fatal. In a seven-year study conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2,576 U.S. workers died and another 32,807 sustained lost-time injuries, losing an average of 13 days away from work, because of electrical shock or burn injuries.

The Internet is brimming with information about arc flash: 364,000 hits on Google, 11.2 million hits on usa.gov and even 445 chilling videos on YouTube. So, why are U.S. workers still getting killed on an almost-daily basis? The problem is that an arc flash incident can occur, without warning, nearly anywhere high voltage is used. Incidents can even occur in facilities that have been rigorously inspected, like data centers, manufacturing plants, commercial buildings, convention and hospitality centers, power generation and distribution infrastructure, retail space or other facilities where high levels of electrical power are needed. But just as law enforcement officials can only attempt to preempt terrorist attacks by increasing surveillance, training those on the front lines on what to look for, investing in protective infrastructure and so on — facility operators haven’t historically been able to overcome the core problem: predicting when and where incidents will occur.

A half-dozen basic obstacles, until very recently, have kept organizations from accurately determining the potential for arc flash exposure within their facilities and educating workers about threats within their work environments. Now you see it, now you don’t: In a typical facility, day-to-day operating conditions are too dynamic to allow for the accurate prediction of arc flash threats. People joke about trying to service an aircraft’s engines while it’s still in flight, but eventually an aircraft lands. In a mission-critical facility, there’s never a risk-free time to conduct service, maintenance or technology upgrade procedures. Because these procedures have to be done on “live” equipment, errors become more likely.

While you were reading this, the threat escalated: The gradual aging and deterioration of power cabling, connectors and other components produce a corresponding increase in the potential for arc flash threats. Unfortunately, the rate at which this deterioration can cause arc flash problems is completely unrelated to the timetable that arc flash studies are scheduled to be conducted, just as few people arrange to have their heart attacks during the same 30-minute window that they are in their physician’s office for an annual checkup.

Need to have vs. nice to have: NFPA 70E Article 130.3 requires that an arc flash study be conducted at least every five years or whenever a major modification occurs. These studies are typically complex and usually require that an outside expert be retained. These studies, which increase in cost with the size of the facility include data collection, revision of one-line drawings, short circuit and protective device coordination studies, warning label installation and arc flash training. For all of their good intentions, companies can be slower to spend money on things like inspections until the need for them is plainly evident.

A false sense of security: In a freshly inspected facility, workers assume that arc flash safety levels are at their highest, which can lull them into believing that it’s safe to lower their guard in terms of safety precautions. This is particularly true in facilities that are “self-inspected.” Self-conducted inspections seldom do the thorough job of experienced experts, setting the stage for potentially catastrophic problems down the road.

NIMBY becomes NIMMCF (not in my mission-critical facility): When many people hear a dangerous term such as “arc flash,” some have a difficult time envisioning that their air-conditioned data center or pristine mission-critical facility poses a safety threat. But the threat of arc flash is present anywhere there are high levels of electrical power: workers have been injured and killed using ladders and power-washing equipment, and a frightening story in the medical publication, Anesthesia & Analgesia, describes a nurse electrocuted in an operating room that was fully compliant with current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) electrical codes.

Next-generation assessment: But within the past 18 months, a new software technology called “power analytics” has emerged that, though developed primarily to ensure power reliability and energy efficiency, has also been proven to provide real-time arc flash assessments. The term “power analytics” refers to integrated software technologies that help organizations ensure their electrical power infrastructure is optimally designed at the CAD stage, performs precisely as intended in terms of reliability and energy efficiency once in the deployment/diagnostics stage, and operates flawlessly as organizations make real-time transitions between public and on-premise power sources in the grid management stages.

Once in the deployment/diagnostics stage, the diagnostics software maintains an uninterrupted watch over site operations, continually checking components, equipment, and systems and comparing their real-world status to the original CAD model. When deviations are detected, the system performs the calculations necessary to make intelligent recommendations about where arc flash hazards have the potential to emerge and gauges their severity. Before entering an energized area and beginning work, site personnel simply query the system for a real-time arc flash status. It then responds with an up-to-date recommendation on the appropriate safety procedures and PPE necessary to work in the vicinity. Recommendations are based upon IEEE 1584 and the NFPA 70E standards titled, ”IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations” and “Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces,” respectively.

For example, when performing repairs to equipment on which a worker could accidentally be exposed to an electrical hazard, power analytics systems can provide specific guidance on gloves, clothing, goggles and helmet the worker should wear to increase safety in the event of an accident. Forewarned about the nature of the threat, workers will be able to proceed with a greater knowledge about specific safety risks they might encounter. There are no crystal balls that are 100% foolproof when it comes to detecting arc flash hazards. But the new generation of power analytics technologies are the most promising development yet for ensuring that workers are forewarned to the greatest extent possible about how to protect themselves from this all-too-common threat.

N.B. This article is written mainly for electrical engineers but also holds information for the window cleaner, water fed pole user, pressure washer, crane or cherry picker user or gutter cleaner. See here & here for previous electrical accidents of window cleaners. This could happen to you!