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Brandon Schroeder

Brandon Schroeder

Developing Effective Policies for Safety

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Program Titles

  • Survived Workplace Accident, Shares Safety Tips
  • Don’t Risk It! An Arc Flash Survivor Speaks Out
  • Shares Near-Death Experience to Save Others From Similar Fate

Brandon Schroeder has been an electrician for over 20 years. Brandon survived an arc flash explosion that, without a doubt, should have killed him.

It was late in the day, and work would be done in a half-hour. The general contractor asked Brandon to relocate a temporary power feed running all the electricity to the construction site. The task was simple: disconnect the cord, pull it through a doorway, and hook it back up.

But there were two problems. First, there was no main breaker on the panel, so the only way to shut off the power was to call the utility company. Second, Brandon let a co-worker borrow his arc flash suit about a week earlier. Early in his career, no one wore arc flash suits, and until about five years before the accident, Brandon had never seen one. But he had done way more dangerous tasks than this countless times—why couldn’t he do this?

He had the decision to make, and he made the wrong one.

Today, Brandon tells his story with one goal in mind – to ensure no one else makes the same choice he did. His raw story connects with audiences across all walks of life.

His inspiring story has you re-think what safety means to their daily life regardless of occupation.

Taking job safety shortcuts under an all-too-common mentality — “hurry up, get it done, and it’s not going to happen to me” — can result in disastrous consequences experienced firsthand. Brandon Schroeder, Safety First.

An electrician who survived a workplace explosion stresses safety.

Electrical Safety Month NECA’s Director of Safety is hosted by a safety software leader, Developing Effective Policies for Electrical Safety, and featured Brandon Schroeder, an arc flash accident survivor. He shared his story and experiences while explaining why safety must be highlighted on the job.

Developing Effective Policies for Electrical Safety

Brandon Schroeder, a trained electrician, was burned over 16 percent of his body in an arc flash when he neglected to follow safety procedures. “The sheer math said I should have died that day,” Mr. Schroeder said. On Thursday, Mr. Schroeder was the keynote speaker at the 12th annual excavator-safety seminar at SUNY Potsdam. “We’ve got over 300 excavators from around the area,” said the executive director of Dig Safely, which organized the event. “Anyone who digs for a living in the area is here.”
As they say, “There’s no teacher-like experience.” Brandon Schroeder learned a valuable lesson the day he ignored basic safety precautions, and the fact that he lived to share it is not short of a miracle. Now, he’s traveling throughout, telling his story. Brandon is an electrician who survived an arc flash explosion. Rather than contact the utility company, he attempted to move a temporary power feed at a construction site on his own. He shared the details, including some very eye-opening pictures hosted by Dig Safely.
Brandon brought his message where he told his story to more than 200 employees. His audience was visibly moved as he spoke about how grateful he is for the opportunity to continue to be a part of his wife’s and children’s lives. When his presentation ended, several employees approached Brandon to personally thank him for sharing his message.
“When I walk into a room, company guys often think, ‘I’ve been doing this for 20 or 30 years. I know what I am doing. This is just another safety meeting,’” said Schroeder. Who’s this guy? What will he tell me that I haven’t heard? When they see that first picture of my face, they understand.”

He Shares Near-Death Experience to Save Others From Similar Fate

The decision to work on the energized unit resulted in an arc flash explosion that severely burned Shroeder and nearly cost him his life. His injuries would have been less severe if he had worn personal protective equipment. Schroeder was severely burned over 16 percent of his body and spent months recovering.

Dressing for Protection

Proper personal protective equipment is essential for arc flash protection, reducing the severity of injuries.
Be Aware of the Risks of Taking Shortcuts.

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Safety