ABSTRACT
On May 30, 2009, at 5:00 p.m., a worker of Terra-Gen Operating Company LLC was seriously injured with second-and third-degree burns to his body while at the company’s remote worksite near Inyokem, California, performing his regular assigned duties as an operation supervisor at the geothermal electric power generation facility. The worker observed a leak of 150 to 160°F geothermal water coming from a temporary diesel engine-powered pump and piping system at a collection pond. He shut off the diesel engine of one of the five temporary pumps at the site, then turned around to walk away. After rotating his body he fell into a pool of heated water. The pressurized water from the leak gouged out an approximately 2-foot-deep depression in the sand and gravelly desert soil. He radioed a coworker and alerted him of the incident. The company’s emergency action plan was implemented. The worker was airlifted to Fresno Regional Medical Center to receive treatment. An inspection was initiated by the OSH Fresno District Office.
