Mining Incidents
Trainer view Print or save as PDF from your browser (⌘P / Ctrl+P).
← Standard view
Case study · MSHA Record #219890890001

Master Electrician fatality

March 23, 1989 at 4:48 PM
Horse Creek Mine · Arch Of Illinois · Perry County, IL
Investigator narrative
KNIFE JUNCTION BOX LOCATED 1800' FROM EAST END OF PIT HOLDS ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN L-6 POWER DIST SYSTEM & 5761 SHOVEL. VICTIM WAS TO RECONNECT CABLE TO JUNCTION BOX. POWER WAS APPLIED TO THIS BOX & DISCONNECT KNIVES WERE IN CLOSED POSITION. VICTIM OPENED DOOR TO JUNCTION BOX REMOVED HOT STICK REACHED INTO BOX TO INSERT PHASE PIN INTO POSICLAMP. AT THIS TIME VICTIM CONTACTED
Record details
Classification
ELECTRICAL
Accident type
Contact with electrical current
Activity at time
Electrical Maintenance
Subunit / location
STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
Source of injury
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS,NEC
Nature of injury
ELECT SHOCK,ELECTROCUTION
Body part affected
BODY SYSTEMS
Total mining experience
10 years
Experience at this mine
2 years
Experience in this job
6 years
Mine type
Surface
Sector
Coal
Similar incidents in MSHA records · same classification: ELECTRICAL
  • September 13, 2025 · Tower Rock Stone Company · MO · Electrician

    Miner was on first floor of "New Office" working on a ladder changing a light. Miners co-worker went to basement to retrieve another new light. Co-worker heard a thump and a bang on the ceiling. Co-worker found miner sitting slumped on the floor unresponsive. Started CPR, called 911, deployed AED but the miner could…

  • July 26, 2025 · Stillwater Mining Company · MT · Electrician

    The employee was performing routine preventative maintenance on a transformer when EE was fatally electrocuted.

  • August 9, 2024 · Buzzi Unicem USA · TX · 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.