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.

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.

   Corrective action: 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.

   Corrective action: 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.

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

Read the full report (PDF)

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Electrical Maintenance

Subunit / location

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Accident type

Flash burns (electric)

Source of injury

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Nature of injury

ELECT.ARC BURN-NOT CONTAC

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

38 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

15 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY