Prevent Electrical Injuries on Construction Sites

Many fatal electrical accidents occur from careless mistakes and are easily preventable with the right knowledge, precautions and focus on safety

This blog post was written exclusively for ForConstructionPros by equipment leasing company Balboa Capital.

Construction business owners know that having healthy and hard-working employees is the key to running a successful operation. No matter what the construction project at hand, there are often many types of electrical equipment being used on a daily basis, which means worker safety is more important than ever. Your construction team is invaluable to your company, and enacting proper training and safety protocols are the keys to preventing injury and maintaining highly productive workers.

Electrical Hazards on Construction Sites

The statistics are shocking

Many fatal accidents occur from careless mistakes but are very easily preventable. Common injuries occurring from electrical related accidents include blisters, burns, heart failure, nerve or tissue damage, and internal organ damage.

According to the National Institution of Health, several thousand people are injured and up to 1,000 people die from electric shocks while on the job. The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) reports that electrocution is the second leading cause of worker fatalities on construction sites. Also, OSHA standards regarding electrical wiring and systems are ranked in the top 10 most frequent citations.

OSHA Construction eTool: Electrical Incidents

Common reasons for electric-related injuries

  • Improper installation of extension and flexible cords
  • Lacking ground-fault protection
  • Making contact with power lines
  • Outdated or misuse of equipment

Prevention is key

Preventing your employees from getting injured is a task that every business owner should prioritize, especially in a construction environment where safety accidents can lead to severe injuries or worse. Many companies run training programs on how to test circuits, make sure that wires are not exposed, proper methods of carrying power tools, and avoiding using aluminum ladders or tools around high-voltage areas. Following guidelines can significantly reduce the number of accidents on the job and maintain a safe work environment.

Video: Construction Electrical Safety 

Endangering the health and safety of your workers is a risk you should never take. In the end, your employees will thank you for ensuring that their safety and well-being is a priority for your construction business.

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