Electrical Safety Foundation International Announces New Workplace Safety Information to Reduce Electrical Injuries

Arlington, Virginia (April 30, 2019)—More than 21,000 workers in the United States have been injured, and 1,500 have died in workplace electrical accidents since 2008, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), a non-profit educational and training organization. In response to this grim problem, the foundation has released updated safety training materials. These include an extensive collection of instructional videos, infographics, practical tips, templates and tools employers can use to promote electrical safety in the workplace.  

“Sixty-four percent of all electrical fatalities on the job occur in occupations that traditionally receive little to no electrical training, such as landscapers, roofers, HVAC technicians, welders, plumbers and truck drivers,” explains ESFI President Brett Brenner. “Our goal is to help employees better understand how easily electrical safety can be incorporated into their daily routines, whether that work takes place in an office, on a jobsite or in a manufacturing setting.”

Brenner reports that while electrical hazards are not the leading cause of on-the-job injuries, they are disproportionately fatal and costly. The good news, he notes, is that most on-the-job electrocutions and electrical injuries can be prevented with proper training. All electrical work should be completed by qualified electrical workers.

Following are some electrical safety tips from ESFI experts to remind employees how to make the work environment safer:

Before you start work:

• Perform a risk assessment.
• Ensure all electrical conductors and circuit parts are in an electrically safe working condition.
• Gather all the necessary tools to complete the project.
• Ensure that all the necessary parts of a machine are properly guarded to reduce the likelihood of electrical contact or arcing faults.
• Ask your employer for the necessary training and experience for a project to reduce the risk of injury.

Overhead power line safety:

• Locate all power lines before starting any work.
• Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet away from all overhead power lines.
• Never touch anything in contact with a power line.
• Be wary of any fencing near power lines, as fences can conduct electricity if they touch power lines.
• Carry ladders horizontally to reduce the risk of touching power lines.
• Do not spray water or liquid cleaners near any power lines.
• Stay 35 feet away from any fallen power lines.

The importance of qualified electrical workers:

• Trained electrical workers know the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NPFA) 70 and the National Electrical Code. And they are experienced in NFPA 70E and the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.
• Trained electrical workers follow strict safety principles that include daily inspections of the jobsite and equipment. 
• The safety programs for a qualified electrical worker include training on personal protective equipment, safe work practices, special precautionary techniques and risk assessment.

More qualified electrical workers are needed. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects of electricians are double the average of all occupations, and many employers report difficulty finding qualified applicants. Workers who join an apprenticeship program by the National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers or by the Independent Electrical Contractors, can learn a trade while being paid. 

For more information, visit esfi.org.