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Coal Mine Fatality - On September 24, 2004, at approximately 8:40 P.M., a 46 year-old face equipment operator with 30 years mining experience was fatally injured in an underground coal mine. The victim and a qualified electrician were preparing to connect a high-voltage coupler to a receptacle labeled "FEED THROUGH" on a 7,200 VAC high-voltage switch house. The electrician thought the receptacle was incorrectly labeled and that it was actually an output receptacle. After opening the visual disconnect and cleaning the coupler, he went to the personnel carrier. When he heard the victim cry out, the electrician turned and saw him within arms reach of the exposed receptacle. The victim suffered an electrical shock resulting in the fatality. The feed through receptacle was energized because the monitor circuit was shorted in another receptacle.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure that electrical work is only performed by a qualified person or one trained to perform electrical work under the direct supervision of a qualified person.
  • Ensure that all circuit breakers and disconnecting switches are properly marked for identification purposes.
  • Ensure that the contacts of the appropriate visual disconnecting device are open and that the device is locked out and suitably tagged by the person performing electrical work.
  • Use proper equipment (gloves, multimeter, etc.) when performing electrical work.
  • Ensure that complete and thorough examinations of electrical equipment are performed and that electric equipment is maintained to assure safe operating conditions.
  • Never assume that you know how a circuit is wired. Ask for help and/or consult a wiring diagram/schematic if you are unsure.
  • Use properly rated non-contact voltage testers to ensure that high-voltage circuits are de-energized.
    • 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 18th fatality reported in the coal mining industry in calendar year 2004, and this is the 3rd fatality classified as Electrical. As of September 24, 2003, there were 27 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry, with 4 of those classified as Electrical.

    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