MSHA Targets Arc Flash Prevention During Safety Month
The agency is increasing awareness of lockout/tagout procedures and electrical standards to protect miners from life-threatening explosions.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Apr 16, 2026
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is centering its annual Electrical Safety Month campaign on the prevention of arc flashes, following a series of serious injuries and fatalities in the mining industry.
In 2024, 11 miners suffered injuries related to electric arc flashes. Notable incidents included a fatal electric shock involving high-voltage power lines and a 4,160-volt arc flash that led to the death of a 64-year-old electrician.
MSHA officials stated that electrical standards are vital for protecting workers from shocks, electrocutions, fires and explosions. The agency is urging operators to emphasize hazard recognition and strict adherence to lockout/tagout protocols to mitigate these risks.
LOTO procedures are designed to disable machinery and prevent the accidental release of hazardous energy during maintenance. To prevent arc flashes specifically, MSHA recommends that electricians de-energize and disconnect equipment, use properly rated PPE and utilize polycarbonate barriers.
Key safety steps include opening circuit breakers to de-energize cables, verifying power is off via visual disconnects and grounding conductors. The agency maintains that only certified electricians should perform high-voltage or complex electrical tasks.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.