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ELECTRICAL SAFETY Preventing Electrical Accidents on Job Sites Since even employees who indirectly work with electricity can be at risk, employers and workers need to take steps to prevent electricity-related injuries and fatalities on job sites. BY DAVID H. PERECMAN Did you know that electricity exposure or contact is one of the leading causes of occupational injuries in the United States? According to Foundation International1, between 2011 and 2021, OSHA reported over 1,200 workplace fatalities involving electricity. Some of the most at-risk workers for electrical injuries and fatalities are engineers, linemen, electricians and construction workers. Still, even those who work with electricity indirectly, like roofers and carpenters, may be exposed to serious electrical hazards. With this being a prominent safety issue across various labor trades, it is crucial for both employers and workers to take steps to spread awareness of electricity-related risks and prevent injuries on job sites. Electrocution occurs when a person is exposed to a lethal amount of electricity. Electrical hazards can result in Burns, Electrocution, Shock, Arc flash/blast, Fire and Explosions (often referenced by the acronym BE SAFE). Burns. A burn is an injury to the skin or deeper organic tissue. Burns can range in severity from first-degree to fourth- degree burns. Electrical burns are often more challenging to diagnose than other burns caused by heat, radiation, friction, chemicals or fire because they may cause significant injury beneath the skin without showing signs of damage on the surface. Electrocution. Electrocution is a fatal injury caused by exposure to electricity. Electrocution is often caused by exposure to wires and contact with power lines or electrical arc flash. Shoc. Electrical shock is an injury to the body due to contact with a high- voltage source. The severity of shock- related injuries may range from an uncomfortable but mild jolt to causing severe, sometimes debilitating, harm. Arc Flash/Blast. Arc flash occurs when there is a sudden release of electrical energy through the air when a high-voltage gap exists, and there is the Electrical Safety 86 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com a breakdown between conductors. Arc flashes release thermal radiation (heat) and bright, intense light that can cause burns. Injuries caused by arc flashes may vary in severity depending on the worker’s proximity to the hazard, temperature and time for the circuit to break. Fire. Electrical distribution fires may usually occur due to problems with “fixed wiring,” such as old, damaged wiring or faulty outlets. Issues with cords, receptacles and switches can also cause electrical fires. Explosions. An electrical explosion may occur when it ignites an explosive mixture of materials in the air. Electrical Safety Tips for Employers, Workers Electricity is widely recognized as a serious workplace hazard, and related accidents can result in serious injuries. Under OSHA law, employers must provide workers with a reasonably safe work environment. For this reason, employers should set the standard of safety on job sites by implementing strategies to reduce electricity-related risks and prevent accidents. Identify Hazards. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Grigvovan/Shutterstock.com Prevention (CDC), some of the most dangerous electrical hazards on job sites include the following: ■ Inadequate wiring ■ Exposed electrical parts ■ Overhead powerlines ■ Defective insulation ■ Overloaded circuits ■ Wet conditions ■ Damaged tools and equipment ■ Improper PPE Evaluate Hazards. Employers should advise workers to first look for clues if they believe an electrical hazard is present. For example, tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses may suggest too much current running through a circuit. Evaluate the “clue” and then decide what course of action to take to control the risks the hazards present. Control Hazards. If there is a “clue” that an electrical hazard is present, controlling contact with the electrical voltages and currents is important. The CDC recommends these strategies to help control electrical hazards and create a safe work environment: ■ Lock out and tag out circuits and machines ■ Use the right size and type of wire to prevent overloading