The 6 Most Common Injuries for Electricians
The Central Valley is home to many popular electrical companies including FRZ Electrical and Electrical Power Source. Electrical companies have a duty to ensure the safety of their employees. Injuries and fatalities are all too common in the electrical industry, and workers' comp claims are filed on a regular basis.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), 126 workers were killed due to exposure to electricity, in 2020 alone. If you or someone you know is considering becoming an electrician, it is important to be aware of these risks.
What is an electrician and what do they do
An electrician is a tradesperson who installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems. Electricians may work on residential, commercial, or industrial properties.
An electrician's main responsibility is to ensure that electrical systems are installed and working safely. They must adhere to safety codes and regulations when installing or repairing electrical wiring and equipment.
Electricians may also be responsible for:
Installing fixtures and appliances
Wiring control panels
Troubleshooting electrical problems
Testing and tagging electrical equipment
Working as an electrician can be a challenging but rewarding career. It is important to have a strong understanding of electrical theory as well as safety procedures. They must also be able to work independently as well as part of a team, ensuring that all involved remain as safe as possible.
The 6 most common injuries for electricians
Electricians often face a number of risks on the job. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), these are the most common injuries electricians suffer:
1. Electric Shock - This is the most common injury electricians face. A shock from an electrical current that passes over or through a person's body is referred to as an electric shock. It's generally characterized by burns, abnormal heart rhythms, and unconsciousness.
2. Electrocution - Electrocution is a type of workplace accident that occurs when an electrical current passes through a worker’s body, often resulting in death.
3. Falls - Falls are another common electrician injury. Electrical shocks can induce muscular contractions, causing a worker to fall. An explosive electrical incident might also result in a fall. Similarly, they can be caused by slips on wet surfaces, contact with live wires, or improper use of ladders or scaffolds.
4. Burns - Electrical burns are the most frequent type of shock-related injury. It is a nonfatal injury that occurs when an individual comes into contact with wiring or equipment that is energized. Even though electrical burns can occur anywhere on the body, they mainly take place on the hands and feet.
5. Cuts and Lacerations - Cuts and lacerations are lower on the list of common electrician injuries, but still happen enough to be a concern for many electricians out there. They can be caused by contact with sharp objects or blades, as well as electrical arcs.
6. Hearing Loss - Working around loud equipment for extended periods of time can cause permanent hearing loss. This is why electricians need to wear proper hearing protection when working.
While some of them, like cuts and lacerations, can be minor, other injuries, like electrocution and falls, can be much more serious. That's why it's so important for electricians to take precautions and to always follow all safety protocols.
The 4 best ways to prevent injuries related to electricians
1. Always be aware of your surroundings while working. This includes making sure that you are aware of any potential hazards, such as electric wires. Knowing what is going on around you at all times can help keep others from making potentially fatal mistakes as well.
2. Always wear the appropriate safety gear while working. This includes wearing a hard hat, gloves, grounded shoes, and safety goggles as well as any ear protection for louder jobs that might go on for a long period of time. Wearing these items can help prevent injury and limit serious injuries to minor ones if they do happen.
3. Make sure that you know how to properly use the tools that you are working with. If you are unfamiliar with what you are doing, you can not only seriously hurt yourself but those around you as well.
4. Take breaks often to avoid getting tired and making mistakes. If you are tired or need a break, it is important to take one, especially when working in hot conditions such as in the hot sun fixing power lines or in an attic repairing electrical wires.
Electrician injuries are unfortunately all too common. In order to prevent these injuries, it is important for electricians to be aware of the dangers they face on the job and take precautions to protect themselves. The Central Valley is home to many electricians, and we hope that by sharing these safety tips, we can help keep our electricians safe while they work. If you have been hurt while on the job as an electrician, contact the workers' compensation specialists at Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney.
Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.