A lineman student in Chicago, IL died shortly after getting hit with approximately 7,200 volts during training. The student, identified as Chris Jenkins, was electrocuted while handling a primary line under direct instructions of Comed Safety Supervisor, Sam "Safety Sam" Ross, according to a Chicago Police report.
Jenkins, 32, worked as a supervisor at Target, Inc., with hopes of seeking full time employment with a local electric utility once he completed training at Dawson Technical Institute. According to Rick Stofield, 55, a fellow student at Dawson Tech whose responsibility is to assist linemen students, Jenkins was not wearing his hot gloves while working on the pole. Hot gloves are what electricians and linemen use to protect themselves from power lines. The report also states that Jenkins was not properly instructed by Sam Ross about the rule on the same day he was electrocuted.
Towards the end of their shift, Stofield said, he noticed Jenkins tying off a "mule tape" to the fiber optic line. When Jenkins raised his right hand, in an attempt to tighten or take up slack from what he was doing, Stofield saw a blue electric arc appear from a live wire and hit Jenkins' right hand. Jenkins held his chest making his co-workers lower the bucket he was in. They then began to perform CPR on him. They found later that his hot gloves were in the bucket with him.
Shortly after that, Jenkins was taken to Advocate Trinity Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Jenkins leaves behind a wife and 3 children, one child with special needs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the matter. Comed nor Dawson Tech is not commenting on the cause of death. Because there was no foul play and the family did not request an autopsy, the body was released to a funeral home and will not be examined by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
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