METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On July 27, 2006, a 25-year-old contractor laborer, with 2 years experience, was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim was using a gasoline-powered weed trimmer, equipped with a circular steel blade, to cut weeds and brush near a power pole when he struck the guy wire for the pole. The blade severed the guy wire, causing it to contact the energized supply conductors on the pole mounted transformer and electrocuted him.
Ensure that guy wires from power poles are securely connected to the system ground or are provided with the proper number of insulators installed near the pole end. Examine the area for any potential hazards before trimming weeds and brush.
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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. |
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This is the 18th fatality reported in calendar year 2006 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2005, there were 18 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 3rd Electrical fatality in 2006. There were three Electrical fatalities in the same period in 2005.
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:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report