Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Publication: An Alarm to Warn of Overhead Power Line Contact by Mobile Equipment
Keywords: Electrical accidents Electrical contact protection Power lines
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: September 2001
Authors: GT Homce, JC Cawley, MR Yenchek, HK Sacks
Conference Paper - September 2001
Download PDF Document (0.27 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20021334
Conference Record of the 2001 IEEE Industry Applications Conference, 36th IAS Annual Meeting (Chicago, Illinois, September 30-October 4, 2001); :8 pp
As in many other industries, such as construction and agriculture, overhead electric powerlines are a serious hazard at mining and mining-related operations. Even when excluding injuries that occur during electrical maintenance work, over one fourth of electrical fatalities in the mining industry are due to accidental overhead line contacts, and for each fatality nearly two serious non-fatal injuries occur due to such contacts. In incidents involving high-reaching mobile equipment, many of the victims touched the equipment after the fact, unaware that the machine frame had become energized by the line contact. MSHA data for accidents involving overhead power line contacts in the mining industry between 1980 and 1997 reveal that in 57 percent of the cases personnel were unaware of the accidental line contact until after one or more workers touched the equipment or a hoisted load and were injured, The situation is similar in the construction industry, where according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) data at least 20 percent of such victims are unaware of the line contact. This suggests that a device that alerts workers when a power line has been contacted could help prevent many of these injuries. Such a device would not prevent power line contacts, yet if widely employed could yield a significant reduction in the number of resulting injuries. Researchers at the NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory are attempting to develop such a device. The approach being investigated is based on measuring electric current flow to ground through a machine during a line contact. The specific technique being tested involves the diversion of some part of this current through a shunt cable mounted on board the machine, to provide a point at which to install a current sensor. Experiments thus far indicate that this approach is feasible. Ongoing research is better defining electric current flow through mobile equipment, refining techniques for measuring this current, and identifying factors that could limit the effectiveness of the proposed alarm.
Image of publication An Alarm to Warn of Overhead Power Line Contact by Mobile EquipmentConference Paper - September 2001
Download PDF Document (0.27 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20021334
Conference Record of the 2001 IEEE Industry Applications Conference, 36th IAS Annual Meeting (Chicago, Illinois, September 30-October 4, 2001); :8 pp
See Also
Electric Shock Prevention
Electrical Accidents in the Mining Industry, 1990-1999
Electromagnetic Noise in Robena No. 4 Coal Mine
Heavy Equipment Near Overhead Power Lines? New Safety Research May Save Your Life: New Safety Research May Save Your Life
Look Up, Look Down, Look Out
Mine Power Systems
Noise Exposure and Overhead Power Line (OPL) Safety Hazards at Surface Drilling Sites
Occupational Electrical Injuries in the United States, 1992-1998, and Recommendations for Safety Research
A Performance Evaluation of Two Overhead Power Line Proximity Warning Devices
U.S. Bureau of Mines/NIOSH Mining Electrical Safety Research: A Legacy of Protection Against Shock, Fires, and Explosions
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue