March 9, 2018 - On Wednesday, February 21, 2018, a 38-year-old highwall mining machine operator, with 21 years of total mining experience, was electrocuted when he contacted an energized connection of a 7,200 volt electrical circuit. The victim was found inside a transformer station troubleshooting and/or performing electrical work on the electrical system that supplies power to the mining machine.

Location:  SHM52 Highwall Miner, Raleigh County, WV

Mine Type:  Coal

Mine Controller:  David D Bundy

Mined Material:  Coal (Bituminous)

Incident Date:  February 21, 2018 - 5:36pm

Time of Death:  February 21, 2018 - 5:36pm

Public Notice

This posting serves to provide a public notice to employees of the mine, employees of the mining company(s), employees of independent contractors with any connection to the mine, persons with any connection to the mine, and any person with information regarding the cause or contributing factors of this accident.

Please provide any information to:

Rex Hampton, Lead Accident Investigator

Phone: 304.732.6410

Preliminary Report

On February 21, 2018, a Highwall Mining Machine Operator was fatally injured when he contacted one phase of a 7,200 VAC electrical circuit. The victim was troubleshooting the electrical system that supplies electrical power to the mining machine. He entered the transformer station on the mining machine and contacted an energized connection on the visual disconnect.

Read More on the Preliminary Report here (PDF).

Fatality Alert

On Wednesday, February 21, 2018, a 38-year-old highwall mining machine operator, with 21 years of total mining experience, was electrocuted when he contacted an energized connection of a 7,200 volt electrical circuit.  The victim was found inside a transformer station troubleshooting and/or performing electrical work on the electrical system that supplies power to the mining machine.

Best Practices

• Lock-Out and Tag-Out the electrical circuit yourself and NEVER rely on others to do this for you.

• Follow these steps BEFORE entering an electrical enclosure or performing electrical work:
  • Locate the circuit breaker or load break switch away from the enclosure and open it to de-energize the incoming power cable(s) or conductors.
  • Locate the visual disconnect away from the enclosure and open it to provide visual evidence that the incoming power cable(s) or conductors have been de-energized.
  • Lock-out and tag-out the visual disconnect.
  • Ground the de-energized conductors.

• Wear properly rated and well maintained electrical gloves when troubleshooting or testing energized circuits.  After the electrical problem has been found, follow the proper steps before performing electrical work.

• Use properly rated electrical meters and non-contact voltage testers to ensure electrical circuits have been de-energized.

• Install warning labels on line side terminals of circuit breakers and switches stating that the terminal lugs remain energized when the circuit breaker or switch is open.

• Electrical work must be performed by a qualified electrician or someone trained to do electrical work under the direct supervision of a qualified electrician. 

Additional Information 

This is the second fatality reported in calendar year 2018 in the coal mining industry and it is classified as Electrical.  As of this date in 2017, there were two fatalities in the coal mining industry, neither of which was in this classification.

Read More on the Fatality Alert here (PDF). 

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