On July 14, 2017, a part time mine employee was moving irrigation pipe by hand and was electrocuted when the pipe came in contact with high voltage transmission lines overhead.
Best Practices
- Before work begins, conduct a hazard assessment and examine the work area to identify and correct hazards and ensure safe distances to overhead power lines.
- Contact the electrical utility to determine the operating voltage of the line and confirm the safe limits of approach distances.
- Do not use electrically conductive tools or materials in situations where they may contact overhead power lines.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).