A foundry laborer was electrocuted as he was helping to feed stainless steel scrap into a furnace refractory. The foundry uses electric induction furnaces for melting aluminum, brass, stainless steel and iron. The furnaces are powered by a three-phase, 1,250-volt electrical system. The victim was helping the furnace tender hoist a 150 pound (68 kilogram) piece of metal into the refractory. Both were sweating profusely. The victim was wearing cotton gloves and was resting his thighs against the furnace frame. The worn ceramic refractory - which was not properly grounded -- cracked, allowing molten metal to flow through and make contact […]