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COAL MINE FATALITY - On March 23, 2003, a 51-year-old section foreman, with 25 years mining experience, sustained serious burn injuries from a 480-volt receptacle located on a section power center. The injuries apparently occurred when the victim used the energized receptacle to detonate explosives while developing a boom-hole. He died at a burn center on April 10, 2003. The victim was not a qualified electrician or a certified shot-firer.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure that persons using explosives are thoroughly trained and certified.
  • Comply with all blasting regulations and any approved plans/permits.
  • Prior to using explosives, discuss and establish safe work procedures to complete the job and identify possible hazards.
  • Ensure that the proper equipment is utilized to initiate explosive charges.
  • Do not insert anything other than appropriate plugs into receptacles.
    • 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 fatality was determined to be chargeable to the coal mining industry on May 15, 2003. This is the 13th fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the coal mining industry. As of the accident date in 2002, there were 12 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the 2nd fatality classified as Electrical in 2003. At this time in 2002, there were two Electrical fatalities.

    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