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| Pad-Mounted Transformer Safety |
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| Securely encased in a locked metal cabinet and mounted on a fiberglass base, pad-mounted transformers are safe to the public. However, damaged transformers pose a serious shock hazard. Follow these precautions to avoid electrical contact when responding to incidents involving these transformers. |
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| Be Alert for Damaged Transformers |
| Upon arrival at any incident scene and from a safe distance, visually inspect nearby pad-mounted transformers for signs of damage: dents, burn marks, vehicle contact or opened/unhinged cabinet doors. If the transformers do not appear damaged, look to see if they have been moved or knocked from their bases. |
| Protect Yourself and the Public |
| If any pad-mounted transformer is damaged or dislodged: |
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Keep yourself and your vehicles, ladders, tools and aerial equipment at least 100 feet away from the transformer. |
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Contact NIPSCO at 800-464-7726 immediately. |
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Maintain a safety perimeter to keep the public far away from the area until NIPSCO personnel give the all clear. |
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Do not attempt to approach, enter or touch a vehicle that is in contact with the transformer. Instead: |
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Instruct vehicle occupants to drive away from the transformer if they can do so safely. If the vehicle cannot be safely moved, instruct them to stay put until NIPSCO personnel give the all clear. |
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If occupants are in imminent danger from fire or other hazards, instruct them to jump clear without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time, land with their feet together, and shuffle at least 30 feet away with small steps, keeping their feet close together and on the ground at all times. If occupants are unable to safely exit the vehicle, your incident commander will tell you how to proceed. |
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| Don't Risk Your Life to Save Ruined Equipment |
| Burning transformers call for precautions similar to those for substation fires. Once a fire has begun, the equipment is unsalvageable and will be replaced. Let transformers burn. Be alert for explosions, toxic smoke, oil releases and hazardous runoff. Once the area is secure, do what you can to keep the fire from spreading. |
| Would You Like to Know More? |
| Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and educational tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on NIPSCO's First Responder Beware website. |
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