Fatality #4

On April 7, a 36-year-old supervisor with 15 years of experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel dredging operation. It was the fourth metal/nonmetal fatality of the year. The victim was attempting to connect the 4160 volt cable for the dredge to load side terminals in the electrical panel when he came into contact with energized 4160 volt line side terminals. This is the fourth fatality reported in calendar year 2009 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2008, there were five fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first electrical fatality in 2009. There were no electrical fatalities for the same period in 2008. -- Mark S. Kuhar