Electrician's apprentice, Christopher Lee Dasher was testing and repairing electrical transformers at a substation in Reddick when he was electrocuted by more than 10,000 volts.   

 On Oct. 15, 2014, Dasher used a circuit testing technique that bypassed safety protocols designed to protect workers from electrical currents. He contacted an energized circuit and later died from injuries he sustained. Duke Energy knew workers bypassed safety protocols to conduct testing, but it did not enforce safety standards. Due to this practice, the company has a history of nonfatal shock injuries.  

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected the utility company after learning of Dasher's injury.  Proposed penalties total $90,000.

OSHA Inspectors found one willful and five serious violations.

One Willful Violation:

• Failure to have a qualified observer present during testing that could immediately de-energize circuits.

Five Serious Violations:

• Failure to ensure that transformers were grounded and safety checked between each test and to provide training to workers who assisted with transformer testing.
• Failure to ensure controlled access to the test area to protect workers from electrical shock hazards.