Electrical Hazards

Miners exposed to electrical hazards are at risk of much more than electric shock. Electrical power is typically directly run to a piece of machinery from a generator, though batteries are often used in remote applications and to power smaller devices.

Because of the rough nature of mining, it can quickly take a toll on the insulation of wiring or on the ability of an electrically driven machine to function properly. Electrical failures may cause fires or explosions, which can result in burns and even death. Miners must always be aware of these hazards and continuously inspect their surroundings for electrical hazards. Hazards range from exposed wiring to improper grounding.

Over the next several slides, we will review the most common hazards associated with electricity and mining. Some common hazards are electric shock, arc flashes, burns, battery failure, and energized power lines.

This review should not be considered comprehensive of all situations miners may encounter. If a miner is unfamiliar with the safety protocol in any given situation, he or she must not attempt to figure it out without seeking out advice or proper procedure from a coworker. Miners should always notify their coworkers before attempting potentially hazardous tasks. MSHA strongly urges miners to never work alone, or to at least stay within earshot of other miners in case of an emergency.

To learn more about MSHA Part 48 training requirements visit our MSHA Part 48 Subpart B Surface Mining Online Training web page.