A federal regulatory agency is investigating a work-related incident that left two El Paso Electric employees seriously injured as they worked on a power line.
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the cause of an April 15 incident where two El Paso Electric employees were injured as they worked on electric lines at the Montwood substation near Rich Beem Boulevard in far East El Paso, the agency confirmed to the El Paso Times.
No further information was provided as OSHA has six months to complete its investigation. OSHA inspection records show the investigation was launched the day of the incident.
It is common for OSHA to investigate workplace-related injuries to ensure safety regulations are being followed by employers. OSHA falls under the U.S. Department of Labor.
El Paso Electric spokesman Jacob Reyes said the employees were injured doing “work activities” and “the incident remains under review, and we are still working to fully understand the circumstances.”
He added, “As with any workplace incident of this nature, the appropriate safety and regulatory protocols are being followed.”
The employees’ names have not been released. One of the employees was taken to a hospital by Fire STAR ambulance helicopter and the other was transported by ambulance to a hospital, El Paso Fire Department spokesman Hector Gonzalez said.
Information on the injuries suffered, the current conditions of the employees and whether they remain hospitalized was not released.
“Both employees are receiving appropriate medical care, and we continue to support them and their families,” Reyes said.
Was the incident the cause of large power outages in El Paso?
The employees were working on a power line at the Montwood substation when they were injured on the morning of April 15.
Shortly after the incident, large power outages were reported throughout East El Paso, leaving more than 5,000 El Paso homes and businesses without electricity for several hours. El Paso Electric has not confirmed if the outages were the result of the incident involving the employees.
The El Paso Times has asked El Paso Electric if the two incidents are related, but utility officials have not provided an answer.
The outages were caused when an “arc flash occurred on a distribution line,” Reyes said on Wednesday, April 15.
An arc flash is “when a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another,” according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
The largest outage was reported in the Horizon City area with 3,075 customers left without power. The other large outage happened near Cielo Vista Mall and The Fountains at Farah, affecting 1,787 customers.
OSHA previous investigations of El Paso Electric
OSHA inspection records show the agency has conducted investigations into at least three other incidents involving El Paso Electric since 2021.
All investigations have been closed with no violations found, records show.
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: OSHA regulatory agency investigating El Paso Electric employee injuries
Reporting by Aaron Martinez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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