Electrical Hazards

Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing employees to electric shock, electrocution, burns, fires, and explosions. It can be the cause of horrific, disabling as well as fatal Injuries and explosions.

• A Department of Labor 7-year study showed that 2,576 U.S. workers died and another 32,807 sustained lost-time injuries – losing an average of 13 days away from work – due to electrical shock or burn injuries
• These statistics were validated in a second study involving more than 120,000 employees that determined arc flash injuries accounted for 77% of all recorded electrical injuries.

There are also many effects electricity can have on the body, some factors depend on how the body reacts and the amount of damage that it may or may not do to your body. The main four factors are but are not limited to:

• Current and Voltage
• Resistance
• Path through the body
• Duration of shock

Below are the effects of the amount of electricity and the effects it has on your body. (mA is a milliampere, A is a basic unit for measuring electrical current)

More than 3 mA: Painful shock- cause indirect accident
More than 10 mA: Muscle contraction – “No Let Go” danger
More than 30 mA: Lung paralysis, usually temporary
More than 50 mA: Ventricular fibrillation, usually fatal
100 mA to 4 A: Certain ventricular fibrillation, fatal
Over 4 A: Heart paralysis, severe burns

Electricity-Related Injuries:

• 2020 126 Fatalities in the United States due to contact with electricity.
• 2,200 injuries that required days away from work.

Common Electrical Hazards:

• Overhead Powerlines
• Underground Powerlines
• Lightning
• Faulty Equipment
• Working on Energized Equipment
• Improper Grounding
• Damaged Insulation