The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported a fatality at EP Management Corp.’s Celatom Plant, a nonmetallic minerals operation in Oregon. On July 14, a part-time mine employee was moving irrigation pipe by hand and was electrocuted when the pipe came in contact with high-voltage transmission lines overhead.
This is the fifth fatality reported in calendar year 2017 in metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2016, there were nine fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This is the first Electrical fatality in 2017. There was one Electrical fatality in the same period in 2016.
MSHA recommends the following best practices to reduce the potential for this type of fatality:
- Before work begins, conduct a hazard assessment and examine the work area to identify and correct hazards and ensure safe distances to overhead power lines.
- Contact the electrical utility to determine the operating voltage of the line and confirm the safe limits of approach distances.
- Do not use electrically conductive tools or materials in situations where they may contact overhead power lines.