Episode 90
Recognizing and Preventing Electrical Hazards on the Jobsite
In this episode, editor Sydny Shepard takes a look at the most frequent causes for electrical injuries and fatalities on construction sites. Listen in to find out if these hazards are present on your site and how to mitigate them.
- By Sydny Shepard
- Aug 16, 2021
According to The Electrical Safety Foundation International, the amount of fatal injuries from electrical hazards is on an incline.
In 2019, there were 166 recorded deaths as a result of electrical hazards—the highest since 2011 and a 3.75 percent increase over 2018. In that same year there were 1,900 nonfatal electrical injuries involving days away from work—a 22 percent increase over 2018.
Clearly, there is some work to be done when it comes to recognizing, preventing and anticipating hazards that can lead to electrical fatalities and injuries on the jobsite. In our episode today, we will talk about a recent situation in which a contractor was cited by OSHA for an electrical death and talk through the most common electrical hazards on jobsites. In the end, we will take a deep dive into how your company can bolster their electrical safety programs to ensure incidents involving electrical hazards don’t happen at your facility or on your site.
Download or stream this episode today at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and more.
A special thank you to the National Fire Protection Association.
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About the Author
Sydny Shepard is the former editor of Occupational Health & Safety.