Remember to never get too comfortable working near or around energized environments. Be aware of hazards like overhead power lines...
Electricity and electrical products play fundamental roles in how we do business each day. However, if not used or maintained appropriately, they can pose serious risks. Over the last ten years, more than 20,000 workers have been injured in workplace electrical accidents.
While electrical hazards are not the leading cause of on-the-job injuries and accidents, they are disproportionately fatal and costly. These injuries not only disrupt the lives of the workers and their families, but also impact the productivity of employers. The good news is that most on-the-job electrocutions and electrical injuries can be prevented by following a few basic steps.
The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI) is the leading authority on workplace electrical safety. ESFI recognizes that each work environment presents different electrical hazards. ESFI’s workplace safety materials provide valuable information to help employees make safe choices every day and tips for creating a safer work environment, whether work takes place in an office, on a job site, or in a manufacturing setting.
What is the leading cause of electrical fatalities on the job?
Between 2011 and 2023, contact with overhead power lines account for 48.2% of all workplace electrical fatalities. This accounted for the highest number of workplace electrical fatalities. Overhead power line contact accounts for all workplace fatalities caused by direct and indirect contact with overhead power lines including arcing from power lines. 87% of all overhead power line contact fatalities occurred in non-electrical occupations.
What is an Electrical Occupation? What is a Non-Electrical Occupation?
Electrical occupations are occupations that work on and with electric wiring and components on a daily basis and typically receive electrical safety training. These occupations include electricians and electric power line installers and repairers. Non-electrical occupations are all other occupations and normally do not receive electrical safety training.
What can I do to avoid overhead power lines?
It is important to always look up in all ways to identify power lines before starting any job. Remember to carry tools and ladders horizontally to avoid accidental contact with overhead power lines and always stay at least 10 feet away from power lines.
What jobs have the highest number of electrical fatalities?
Between 2011 and 2023, there were 10 occupations that accounted for over 58% of all workplace electrical fatalities. These occupations were: electricians (212 fatalities); laborers, except construction (142 fatalities); construction laborers (131 fatalities); electrical power installers and repairers (122 fatalities); tree trimming occupations (64 fatalities); electricians’ apprentices (45 fatalities); heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics (43 fatalities); roofers (38 fatalities); heavy truck drivers (35 fatalities); and construction and maintenance painters (32 fatalities).
A total of seven occupations had a higher than average rate (0.1) of electrical fatalities per 100,000 workers. These are: electric power line installers and repairers (6.56 fatality rate); electricians (2.75 fatality rate); roofers (2.66 fatality rate); ground maintenance workers (1.24 fatality rate); heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics (0.97 fatality rate), construction laborers (0.55 fatality rate); and construction and maintenance painters (0.41 fatality rate).
What industries have the highest rate of electrical fatalities?
Between 2011 and 2023, three industries had a higher than average (0.1) rate of electrical fatalities per 100,000 workers. These industries are: construction (0.68 fatality rate); natural resources and mining (0.32 fatality rate); and professional and business services (0.11 fatality rate).
How many electrical fatalities occur every year?
There is an average of 150 workplace electrical fatalities that occur every year in the United States.
How many electrical injuries occur every year?
Between 2021 and 2022, there was a total of 3,260 non-fatal electrical injuries involving days away from work.
What demographics have the highest number of electrical fatalities?
Hispanic or Latino workers have the highest rate of electrical fatalities in the workplace with 0.17 fatalities per 100,000 workers. This is much higher than White, non-Hispanic workers (0.10 fatality rate), and Black or African American, non-Hispanic workers (0.06 fatality rate).
How do I prevent common causes of workplace electrical fatalities?
A total of 89% of workplace electrical fatalities were caused by the following:
Overhead power line contact (48% of workplace fatalities): Be sure to always look up, in all ways to identify overhead power lines around the area you are working in. Tree trimmers, roofers, and construction laborers need to be aware of items that may be in contact with overhead power lines that may be energized. Proactive measures can also be taken on jobsites to visually identify and mark hazards and adjust travel areas to avoid overhead power lines.
Unexpected contact with energy (19% of workplace fatalities): Connected safety devices, permanently installed safety controls, preventative and remotely monitored maintenance, and keeping unqualified workers from electrical and energized equipment rooms can help prevent these electrical fatalities. Ensure electrician occupations follow hierarchy of controls and prevent complacency.
Nearby energized equipment contact (14% of workplace fatalities): Workers should also be aware of the equipment around them, not just the work they are completing. It is important that workers be fully aware of the general area where they are working to avoid accidental contact with energy. Workers should remember to follow proper testing procedures when completing work.
Working on energized parts (4% of workplace fatalities): Electrical occupations must remember to always follow the proper procedures when completing energized work. It is important to remember that electrical work should only be completed by qualified workers with proper training.
Ground faults (4% of workplace fatalities): All the ground-fault-related fatalities were caused by a lack of ground-fault circuit interrupters. The fatalities related to ground-faults occurred when tools or temporary wiring was used outdoors or in wet conditions. Workers should always use properly tested ground-fault protection when using electrical equipment. Additional steps can also be made to ensure the integrity of grounding equipment through monitoring.
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Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)
1300 17th Street North, Suite 900, Arlington, Virginia 22209
Tel 703-841-3229 Fax 703-841-3329