# Electrocutions, electric shocks at Northern Electric
> OSHA SIR `2015031142` · 3/11/2015 · FRANKFORT, SOUTH DAKOTA
## Severity
- **1 hospitalization**
- **Body part:** BODY SYSTEMS
- **Nature of injury:** Electrocutions, electric shocks
## Cause
- **Event:** Direct exposure to electricity, greater than 220 volts
- **Source:** Power lines, transformers, convertors
## Employer
- **Name:** Northern Electric
- **Location:** 182nd Street & 401st Avenue, FRANKFORT, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57440
- **NAICS:** 238210
- **Jurisdiction:** 1
## Narrative

The company had identified that an underground short was occurring on a 7,200-volt line. The company was attempting to locate the short using a DC charge unit known as a "Thumper." The Thumper would shoot a charge through the line, and the employees would use equipment to triangulate the approximate location of the short. During one of these tests, a charge was sent through the line, and an employee received a shock severe enough to require hospitalization.

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*Source: [OSHA Severe Injury Reports](https://www.osha.gov/severe-injury-reports) · MORVS · CC0 1.0*