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Full Details

Surname
ALLEN
Forename
John
Day
13
Month
08
Year
1907
Age
45
Occupation
Chargeman
Mine/Quarry Name
Ashington
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Ashington Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Ashington
County
Northumberland
Details of Event
Three phase alternating current of 500 volts and 5 amperes is carried to a 4 H.P. centrifugal pump placed 3,000 yards from the shafts. The cable near the pump is made up of three cores of 7/20 copper wires insulated with rubber insulation and wrapped with varnished tape with an outer protecting cover of jute. The cable is suspended from the roof timbers in the manner prescribed by the Electrical Special Rules namely leather straps and wire hook on a nail. The floor is wet at the point where the accident happened, about 5 yards from the pump. Deceased, who had been instructed how to deal with electric cables and held a written authorization to do so, noticed the cable was hanging down about 2 feet at a point where a hanger had given way, and he took hold of it with both hands, probably intending to place it on the nail, when he received a shock and was killed. He had his lamp in one hand and fire was seen flying at his neck. He was unable to leave hold of the cable. A man near dragged the cable off him and he fell to the ground. Artificial respiration was tried without any result. It was found that short circuiting had been taking place at the hanger that had given way and it had been burnt and allowed the cable to sag. The insulation of the cable was damaged for a length of 1¼ inches and the bare wires of one of the cores exposed for 5/16-inch in length. One of the deceased's hands was scorched and showed 4 or 6 dots where the current had passed into him. The electrician had examined the cable earlier in the day on the day of the accident, when it appeared all right, and had tested it for insulation 3 months before the accident when it showed no leakage. Rubber gloves were kept in the pump room and deceased should have used them and also cut off the current. The Local Inspectors in their report described the damage to the cable. 1907 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 4045), Newcastle District (No.3) by J.B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page 50.