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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Thursday, May 23, 2002, a 58-year-old electrician sustained serious injuries as a result of an electrical accident. The victim was located beside the section power center when an electrical arc at the female receptacle of a shuttle car occurred causing severe burns to the victim. According to statements obtained during interviews, the victim was attempting to find a fault in the shuttle car cable when the accident occurred. Following the accident, the victim remained hospitalized, until he died from his injuries on June 27, 2002.

Drawing Depicting Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Always use proper diagnostic equipment while trouble shooting or testing.


  • Insure that qualified electricians perform all electrical work or properly trained persons under direct supervision of a qualified electrician.


  • Always wear protective gloves when performing tasks that may cause injuries to the hands.
    • 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 15th fatal accident reported in calendar year 2002 for the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2001, there were eight fatalities reported. This is the fourth fatal accident classified as an "Electrical" accident in 2002. At this time in 2001, there was one fatal accident classified as "Electrical" for 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 - Not Available Yet