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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday, July 20, 2001, a 26 year old electrician, with 5 years mining experience, was fatally injured in an electrical accident. The victim was preparing to move an electrical starter box, which provided power to the No. 9 belt conveyor head drive. Apparently, the victim came in contact with the energized electrical circuit providing power to the starter box or other associated electrical equipment.

Best Practices

  • Become familiar with the electrical circuits prior to performing any electrical work.
  • Always make shore all electrical circuits are de-energized before performing any electrical work.
  • Always follow proper lockout and tag-out procedures when performing any work on an electrical circuit.
    • More Information E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
    Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.

    This is the 11th fatal accident, reported in calendar year 2001, in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2000, there were sixteen fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the 2nd fatal accident, classified as electrical, reported in the coal mining industry in 2001. At this time in 2000, there were two fatal accidents, classified as electrical, in the coal mining industry.


    The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.



    For more information:
    Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report