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Full Details

Surname
DANIELS
Forename
John F.
Day
21
Month
01
Year
1905
Age
59
Occupation
Pumpsman
Mine/Quarry Name
Ty Trist
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Tredegar Iron & Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Tredegar
County
Monmouthshire
Details of Event
Having replaced one or the fuse wires, which are immersed in oil, he was electrocuted while screwing up the cover of the iron fuse-box with one hand and at the same time turning on the starting switch with the other. The fuse-wire which he had inserted being too long, one end of it came in contact with the metal box, creating a short-circuit and causing the box to become alive. Previous to this a small leak had occurred through the handle of the starting switch in consequence of a thread of asbestos from one of the washers slightly overlapping a porcelain insulator inside the switch case. This in itself would only have given a slight shock, hut the resistance at this point being reduced, the additional pressure created by the short-circuit at the fuse box caused a jump spark or large leak at this place. Both the above causes would probably have been rendered harmless had the earthing been effective, but unfortunately the contact of the earth-wire was not good on account or rust.