An electrician was performing a low voltage (415 V AC) switching operation on a switchboard. There were problems isolating an individual switch (rated for 4,000 A). The worker attempted to operate the switch a number of times but the switch failed to open. After opening the switch panel door, he removed the glove on his right hand (Category 4 arc-flash rated) to spray an aerosol lubricant on to the tripping mechanism to free it up. The worker then tried to operate the switch by activating the tripping mechanism with a two-metre wooden broomstick. At this point there was an explosion and an arc flash. The worker received second-degree burns to his right hand. (Source: Govt of Western Australia – Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources Safety).
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