Google worker suffers severe burns after live line electrocution at Belgium datacentre
An electrical tester at a Google site in Saint-Ghislain, Belgium, was severely injured by an arc flash during a safety test in March.
Worker faces immediate danger
The 34-year-old electrical tester worked nearly 10 hours before receiving a last-minute call for additional tests. Managers confirmed the lines were de-energised before he entered the voltage room to begin work. During the second test, the cables turned out to be live while he held insulated tongs.
Severe injuries sustained
The blast delivered 400 volts and 12,000 amps across his face and right side of his body. Medical records show the arc flash burned 12 percent of his skin with second-degree burns to his face and neck. He also suffered third-degree burns across his right shoulder and fingers.
Hospital treatment begins
Doctors placed him in an induced coma for five days at the Grand Hôpital de Charleroi. The injuries included blindness caused by the immediate impact of the electrical surge.
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