A severe electrical incident involving a contractor working on energized equipment resulted in catastrophic burns and a multimillion-dollar liability ruling against the host company. The contractor had been told the equipment would be de-energized and therefore was not wearing flame-resistant protective clothing when an arc flash occurred, igniting his garments and causing extensive injuries. The case illustrates how safety responsibility is shared between host employers and contract employers under electrical safety standards. It also highlights the importance of hazard communication, proper lockout procedures, and appropriate protective equipment programs—particularly the use of arc-rated flame-resistant apparel—to reduce injury severity and mitigate liability risks in contractor operations.

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