Other Electrical Hazards

Other electrical hazards include wet or corrosive conditions, and low-light conditions.

Wet or Corrosive Conditions

Wet conditions are another hazard that is particularly dangerous for miners. Not only do wet conditions increase the immediate hazard of electric shock, but the hazards produced by corrosion (that is, rust) may cause electrical mishaps if they are not caught and corrected early.

MSHA recommends that all miners working in wet conditions use an insulated, elevated platform when working around distribution boxes or de-energizing a mining component.

Chemicals used in mining may also corrode mining components. Workers should always check for damage to insulation and mining equipment before attempting electrical work or maintenance.

Low-light Conditions

Low-light conditions present a hazard when working around energized equipment due to unintentional contact with energized parts. If a miner must work in a confined space in low-light conditions, the miner must de-energize any components he or she may come in contact with.

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