Test technician electrocuted

A TEST technician at Electrical Industries Limited (EIL) in Arima died yesterday after he was electrocuted at his workplace.

The dead man has been identified as Michael Cowen, 24, of Chaguanas.  At around 10 am, Cowen was on duty and went into the testing area where a medium voltage had been applied. Cowen, who has been with the company for just over one year, had not turned off the power and was electrocuted.

Cowen was responsible for testing cables and power supplies.  After the electrocution, efforts were made to revive him. An ambulance from the Emergency Health Services (EHS) was summoned and Cowen was rushed to the Arima Hospital where he died. Hayden Kublalsingh, one of the company’s directors, said the incident has left employees devastated and saddened.  He said he has expressed condolences to Cowen’s parents. Kublalsingh added that the company is investigating the electrocution. He said Cowen was responsible for turning the power on and off and that no one enters the restricted area while the power is on.