In 2025, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) compiled data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to track electrical safety trends in the workplace. ESFI found that certain demographics and occupations are more prone to electrical incidents in the workplace.
Electrical Safety in the Workplace
- Contact with electricity is one the leading causes of fatalities in the workplace
- 74% of workplace electrical fatalities occurred in non-electrical occupations according to OSHA
- 150 workplace electrical fatalities occur on average every year according to the BLS
- 5.3% of all workplace fatalities were caused by contact with electricity
Electrical Fatality Rates
- Electrical fatality rates have remained consistent year over year. More needs to be done to reduce the amount of electrical fatalities in the workplace
- Hispanic or Latino workers have the highest rate of electrical fatalities and experience a disproportional amount of electrical fatalities
- Construction and extraction occupations; installation, maintenance, and repair occupations; and building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations have the highest rate of electrical fatalities
Electrical Fatality by Occupation
10 occupations accounted for over 58% of all workplace electrical fatalities:
- Electricians
- Laborers, except construction
- Construction laborers
- Electrical power installers & repairers
- Tree trimming occupations
- Electricians’ apprentices
- Heating, air conditioning, & refrigeration mechanics
- Roofers
- Heavy truck drivers
- Painters in construction or maintenance
Electrical Fatality Causes
91% of all workplace electrical fatalities were caused by:
- Overhead power line contact: 42.8%
- Unexpected contact with electricity: 19.3%
- Nearby energized equipment contact: 12.7%
- Working on energized parts: 4.1%
- Ground-faults: 4.0%
- Damaged wiring or equipment: 3.1%
