Who should address exposed wires in power cables?

Who should address exposed wires in power cables?

• A. A certified electrician
• B. Site supervisor
• C. Any trained individual
• D. Miner

Answer: (A)

Electrical safety in a mine hinges on treating exposed wires as a high-risk hazard that only a qualified person should handle. Exposed conductors can energize through contact or arcing, leading to severe electric shock, burns, or a mine-fire or explosion in a damp, conductive environment. A certified electrician has the training to de-energize circuits, test for absence of voltage, apply lockout/tagout, and perform repairs or cable replacement to code. They also know how to inspect insulation, ensure proper grounding, and verify the system is safe before re-energizing. If you encounter exposed wires, stop work, keep people away, and report the hazard so the electrician can take over. A site supervisor can coordinate safety and a trained individual might help with reporting or isolating the area, but they are not equipped to perform the electrical repair. Miners should not address exposed wiring due to the serious risk of injury or worse.

Electrical safety in a mine hinges on treating exposed wires as a high-risk hazard that only a qualified person should handle. Exposed conductors can energize through contact or arcing, leading to severe electric shock, burns, or a mine-fire or explosion in a damp, conductive environment. A certified electrician has the training to de-energize circuits, test for absence of voltage, apply lockout/tagout, and perform repairs or cable replacement to code. They also know how to inspect insulation, ensure proper grounding, and verify the system is safe before re-energizing.

If you encounter exposed wires, stop work, keep people away, and report the hazard so the electrician can take over. A site supervisor can coordinate safety and a trained individual might help with reporting or isolating the area, but they are not equipped to perform the electrical repair. Miners should not address exposed wiring due to the serious risk of injury or worse.