Accident Report: Fatality Reference
PDF Version
September 17, 2019 - Fatality Alert.pdf
(326.98 KB)
COAL MINE FATALITY – On September 17, 2019, an electrician was electrocuted when he contacted an energized conductor. The victim contacted a 995 VAC connector while attempting to troubleshoot the scrubber motor circuit on a continuous mining machine.
Best Practices
- Lock out and tag out the electrical circuit yourself. Never rely on others to do this for you.
- BEFORE performing electrical work:
- Open the circuit breaker or load break switch away from the enclosure to de-energize the incoming power cables or conductors.
- Open the visual disconnect away from the enclosure to confirm that the incoming power cables or conductors have been de-energized.
- Lock out and tag out the visual disconnect.
- Ground the de-energized phase conductors.
- Wear properly rated and well maintained electrical gloves when troubleshooting or testing energized circuits. After the electrical problem has been found, follow the proper steps before performing electrical work.
- Use properly rated electrical meters and non-contact voltage testers to ensure electrical circuits have been de-energized.
- Only use qualified, trained workers. Ensure electrical work is performed by a qualified electrician or someone trained to do electrical work under a qualified electrician’s direct supervision.
- Identify circuits and circuit breakers. Properly identify all electrical circuits and circuit breakers before troubleshooting or performing electrical work.
Additional Information
This is the 19th mining fatality reported in 2019, and the third fatality classified as “electrical.”