Master Mechanic

Arc flash event involving electrical equipment that resulted in burns to the employee's arms and torso as well as electrical equipment damage. The employee was injured and hospitalized after the incident but, passed away in the hospital on 08/22/2024.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On August 9, 2024, at 2:47 p.m., William Harger, a 64-year-old electrician from Eaton Corporation, with over 38 years of electrical experience, was burned from an arc flash from 4,160-volt components in an electrical panel. On August 22, 2024, Harger died from his injuries. The accident occurred because the mine operator and the contractor did not: 1) ensure that the disconnecting device to an electrical circuit was locked out and tagged out before work began, and 2) ensure proper protective equipment was worn before working in an energized electrical panel. Additionally, (3) the mine operator did not ensure that the contracted electrician received the proper site-specific hazard awareness training.

1. The mine operator and the contractor did not ensure that the disconnecting device to an electrical circuit was locked out and tagged out before work began.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator and the contractor retrained all electricians, as well as employees who are responsible for overseeing projects, in de-energizing, locking out, and tagging out verification procedures for working on electrical equipment and/or circuits.

2. The mine operator and the contractor did not ensure proper protective equipment was worn before working in an energized electrical panel.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator and the contractor retrained all electricians, as well as employees who are responsible for overseeing projects, in the use of arc flash protective gear.

3. The mine operator did not ensure that the contracted electrician received the proper site-specific hazard awareness training.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator produced a training outline regarding the hazards while installing, commissioning, repairing, and maintaining an electrical panel.

Lee el informe completo (PDF)

Hallazgos del informe final de investigación de la MSHA, que sustituye la narrativa preliminar anterior.

Actividad al momento del incidente

Electrical Maintenance

Subunidad / ubicación

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Tipo de accidente

Quemaduras por arco (eléctrico)

Fuente de la lesión

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Naturaleza de la lesión

ELECT.ARC BURN-NOT CONTAC

Parte del cuerpo afectada

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Experiencia minera total

38 years

Experiencia en esta mina

0 years

Experiencia en este puesto

15 years

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY