Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 10, 2010, a 42 year- old contract electrician with 4 years of experience was seriously injured at a granite operation. The victim and two co-workers were installing ground fault indicator lights in a circuit breaker enclosure when an arc flash occurred. The circuit breaker enclosure contained a bottom feed circuit breaker. All three workers were hospitalized and the victim died on October 12, 2010.
Best Practices
- Be trained on all the electrical tests and safety equipment necessary to safely test and ground the circuit being worked on.
- Conduct a risk assessment.
- Use properly rated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including Arc Flash Protection such as a hood, gloves, shirt, and pants.
- Positively identify the circuit on which work is to be conducted.
- De-energize power and ensure that the circuit is visibly open.
- Place YOUR lock and tag on the disconnecting device.
- Verify the circuit is de-energized by testing for voltage using properly rated test equipment.
- Ensure ALL electrical components in the enclosure are de-energized.
- Ground ALL phase conductors to the equipment grounding medium with grounding equipment that is properly rated.
- Install warning labels on the terminal covers of bottom feed circuit breakers stating the "Bottom terminal lugs remain energized when the circuit breaker is open."
Additional Information
This is the 16th fatality reported in calendar year 2010 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2009, there were 16 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 1st Electrical fatality in 2010. There was 1 Electrical fatality in the same period in 2009.