Safety
Safety & PPE on the Floor
High-voltage power, 85+ dB noise, and 100°F+ hot aisles - how to work a mining hall without getting hurt.
Electrical - the big one
Miner supply voltage and phase vary by exact model; both AC supplies and high-current DC paths can be hazardous. Only authorized personnel may establish safe isolation under the equipment/site procedure.
- Never work on an energized unit - power off at the PDU and verify de-energized before touching internals.
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): lock and tag the disconnect so no one re-energizes while you work.
- Do not probe energized conductors as part of this curriculum. Electrical testing belongs to qualified, authorized personnel following the applicable safe-work procedure.
- Immersion dielectric fluid is NON-conductive by design - but the busbars and terminals in a tank are still energized, so de-energize before reaching in. (Degraded or moisture-contaminated fluid can lose dielectric strength.) Wet hands are always a shock risk - dry off.
- STOP and de-energize on any burnt smell, melted/discolored connector, or corrosion - don't re-energize.
For smoke, fire or suspected electrical damage, keep clear, raise the alarm and follow the site emergency plan. Do not touch or re-energize damaged equipment. Isolation or firefighting is only for trained, authorized personnel when safe.
Hearing - you WILL need protection
A hall of fans is loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss over a shift.
- Mining halls commonly run ~75-90+ dBA. OSHA's action level is 85 dBA over an 8-hour average.
- Wear earplugs or muffs any time you're on the floor - hearing damage is cumulative and permanent.
- Double up (plugs + muffs) in the loudest aisles.
Heat stress
Hot aisles can exceed 100-120 °F. Heat sneaks up on you.
- Hydrate before and during; take cool-down breaks; rotate out of hot aisles.
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating then clammy skin, headache.
- Don't work alone for long stretches in the hottest zones.
ESD, lifting & pinch points
- Handle static-sensitive boards only after the required isolation and authorization. Use the site-approved ESD workstation and handling procedure; ESD wrist straps do not protect against electrical shock.
- Miners weigh ~30-40 lb (hydro/immersion units heavier and awkward). Lift with your legs; get help for high racks.
- Watch pinch points racking units and mind ladders/heights.
- Closed-toe, electrical-rated footwear; safety glasses; arc-rated clothing where your site requires it.
Immersion-specific
- Dielectric fluid makes floors and units slippery - wipe up, watch your footing.
- Avoid skin/eye contact per the fluid's SDS; wear gloves; know disposal rules.
- Electricity + fluid still demands full de-energize before service.