presents

Basic Electrical Safety

Awareness for Home &
The Mining Industry
revised 10/01
PREFACE
This program is for instructional purposes only and
does not constitute an endorsement by Pennsylvania
Department of Deep Mine Safety of any specific product.
Attendance of this program does not constitute
certification under state or federal laws or regulations.

DISCLAIMER
The information and recommendations contained in this program
have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable and to
represent the best current opinion on the subject. No warranty,
guarantee, or representation is made by the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety, as to the
absolute correctness or sufficiency of any representation contained in
this course and publication, and assumes no responsibility in
connection therewith; nor can it be assumed that all acceptable safety
measures are contained in this, or that other or additional measures not
be observed under particular or exceptional conditions or
circumstances.
•Electrocution is a major cause of injury and death
in both the industrial and home environment.
•Most electrocution injuries occur at voltages
above 50 Volts AC or 100 Volts DC, however
sometimes the voltage can be much lower.

What is the cost in

$$$$$$..
• Each year, electrical accidents result in
more than $2 billion in property damage
to home and industry..
 But what about the cost in human terms

Caused by 24 volt DC battery Caused by kneeling on a

Notice where watch band &
screwdriver were in contact with
skin
defective 110 volt ac extension
cord
Notice the path in & the path out

How do you put a price tag on this?

 But more important is the is the cost in lives……

Fatal Electrical Accidents

1990 thru 2000 (MSHA)
Pennsylvania USA
• Coal-Underground 1 27
• Coal-Surface 1 4
• Industrial Minerals-Underground 0 7
• Industrial Minerals-Surface 0 29
• Prep Plants 1 9
• Other 0 2

Total 3 78
 Here’s some more figures……..
Reported Mining Electrical Accidents(includes fatalities)
1990 thru 2000 (MSHA)

Pennsylvania USA
• Coal-Underground 65 752
• Coal-Surface 20 137
• Industrial Minerals-Underground 4 99
• Industrial Minerals-Surface 29 655
• Prep Plants 17 244
• Other 5 34
Total 140 1921
2001-Update 2 non-fatal
3 non-injury
Let’s talk about personal protection and the home
40,000 residential fires annually which are caused by problems
with electrical wiring systems, claiming more than 350 lives

Additionally, electric cords and plugs were involved in about

7,100 fires resulting in 120 deaths or about 32% of all
deaths associated with residential electrical system fires,
occurring each year.

Lamps and light fixtures were involved in about 8,900 fires and
60 deaths

About 3,600 people are treated for injuries associated with

extension cords.

Switches and outlets are involved in 4,700 fires and deaths

Go to Part 2