MSHA Serious Accident Alert

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued the following Metal/Nonmetal Serious Accident Alert.

An electrician was replacing a blown fuse by hand. The circuit had residual stored energy that caused the electricity to pass through his hand and exit through his calf, which was in contact with the bottom of the cabinet.

MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid these types of accidents:

  • Lock out / Tag out electrically powered equipment.
  • Test for stored electrical power and ground high-voltage circuits, if possible.
  • Utilize proper electrically rated personal protective equipment (i.e. fuse pullers, hot gloves).
  • Utilize properly sized and rated fuses in electrical equipment.
  • Use insulated mats or other electrically nonconductive materials at switches.
  • Only trained and authorized persons should work on electrically powered equipment.

This alert can be posted on bulletin boards, used in safety talks, or given to miners and contractors as a hand out, MSHA stated.

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