Electrical injuries in the US mining industry, 2000-2009

Area of Science:

• Occupational Safety and Health
• Mining Engineering
• Electrical Safety

Background:

• Electrical injuries pose a significant risk in the mining industry.
• Previous research has characterized general mining injuries, but specific focus on electrical incidents is needed.
• Understanding the unique circumstances and causes of electrical injuries is crucial for prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze electrical injuries in the U.S. mining industry from 2000-2009.
• To identify the circumstances and causal factors contributing to electrical injuries and fatalities.
• To compare electrical injury rates and fatality risks across different mining sectors and employee types.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed 865 electrical injury reports from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) data (2000-2009).
• Interpreted narrative descriptions of injury events.
• Conducted a separate analysis of fatal electrical injuries.

Main Results:

• 865 electrical injuries occurred, with 39 fatalities, indicating a high fatality rate.
• Electrical injury rates were higher in coal mining, particularly underground operations.
• Maintenance and repair activities accounted for 69% of injuries and 69% of fatalities, with "lock-out and tag" failures being a major factor.

Conclusions:

• Electrical injuries are a serious and disproportionately fatal risk in mining.
• Electrical maintenance and repair pose the highest risk, often due to inadequate de-energization procedures.
• Preventive measures should focus on strict adherence to lock-out/tag-out procedures and robust power system maintenance.