Electrically Hazardous Jobs in the U.S.

Abstract

This article examined 1004 U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cases of electrical injury that occurred between January 1, 2011 and June 28, 2017. The data are examined to determine which occupations experienced fatal electrical injury. Characteristics such as the degree of injury, the nature of injury, and task assignments at the time of injury were determined. There were 705 fatal electrical injuries from all causes. There were 17 occupations with ten or more fatal cases, led by, in order, “electricians,” “construction laborers,” “laborers, except construction,” “electrical power installers and repairers,” and “tree trimming occupations.” In addition, the data are also examined to isolate fatal overhead power line injuries. Overhead power lines were involved in 246 fatal electrical shock injuries to workers and ten burn injuries. Occupations most affected by overhead power line injuries were studied in greater detail. Just six occupations account for more than one half of all those fatally injured by electricity in overhead power line cases. Occupations with ten or more fatal overhead power line injuries include, in order, “construction laborer,” “laborers, except construction,” “tree trimming occupations,” “electrical power installers and repairers,” “roofers,” and “truck drivers, heavy.” Several identified occupations with unexpected electrical exposure, such as “roofers,” “tree trimmers,” and “truck drivers,” are not usually associated with electrically hazardous jobs. Erecting, moving, and dismantling scaffolding, the use of conductive ladders, booms, and tag lines, and tree trimming in the vicinity of overhead power lines were common scenarios in which the fatal electrical injuries are studied. Working without deenergizing circuits, working without proper prejob hazard analysis and planning, and working without proper personal protective equipment also were mentioned in the accident narratives.