# Third or fourth degree electrical burns at West Texas Utility Services LLC
> OSHA SIR `2019099736` · 9/17/2019 · BIG LAKE, TEXAS
## Severity
- **1 hospitalization**
- **Body part:** Hand(s), unspecified
- **Nature of injury:** Third or fourth degree electrical burns
## Cause
- **Event:** Direct exposure to electricity, unspecified
- **Source:** Switchboards, switches, fuses
## Employer
- **Name:** West Texas Utility Services LLC
- **Location:** 10 Miles SE of St. Lawrence, Reagan County, BIG LAKE, TEXAS, 76932
- **NAICS:** 213112
- **Jurisdiction:** 1
## Narrative

While performing a break-out and disassembling equipment on-site, an employee removed the meter cover. Then, while removing the bypass blades with pliers and a screwdriver, the screwdriver contacted the meter box, causing an arc flash. The employee sustained second degree burns on his face, chest, and left hand, and sustained a second/third degree burn on his right hand.

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