Peter Eudave, apprentice electrician, age 41, was fatally injured on August 15, 2008, when he contacted a 480-volt electrical conductor. He was replacing the ballast in a floodlight.
The accident occurred because management policies and controls were inadequate and failed to ensure that the electrical circuit was deenergized, locked-out, tagged, and tested before work was performed.
Fatality #13 - August 15, 2008
Accident Classification: Electrical
Location: Ray, Arizona
Mine Controller: Grupo Mexico S A
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Copper Ore NEC
Incident Date/Time: August 15, 2008 10:00 am
FATALITY ALERT
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On August 15, 2008, a 41 year-old apprentice electrician with 14 years mining experience was fatally injured at a copper mine. The victim was working on a 480-Volt floodlight at the tailings booster station when he contacted energized electrical wiring supplying power to the light.
FINAL REPORT
MAI-2008-13
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MINE SAFETY & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION
Surface Metal Mine
(Copper)
Fatal Electrical Accident
August 15, 2008