Electrical safety is a low probability, high impact subsection of workplace safety. This means that although electricity-related events may be relatively unlikely to occur, they are of great importance when they do, and the consequences can be deadly. Because of the low likelihood, some organizations ignore or put off improving their electrical safety plans. 

Electrical injuries can be the result of direct contact with an energized item, but can also happen if someone is nearby when an electrical incident takes place, such as an arc flash. Both can causefatal electrocution, electrical shock, burns, and falls. This is why it is important to keep electrical safety in mind, even when an individual will not necessarily be interacting with an energized item.

In many countries, workplaces legally need to develop and implement a written health and safety program that addresses workplace electrical hazards. Consequences for inadequate safety measures can include repossessions such as fines and insurance costs. More importantly, the consequences for your employees can be much greater: severe injury or even death. 

In 2019 the US saw 1,900 non-fatal electrical injuries in the workplace (that resulted in days off of work) and 166 fatalities. In Canada, nearly half of electrical injuries occurred while people were working on energized equipment. Accidents like this are avoidable, and while these numbers may seem statistically low, the impact of each to the organization involved is incredibly high. 

Record of electrical incidents to employees can be found in a large variety of fields. In the 10-year period from 2004 through 2013, CFOI recorded 1,962 fatal electrical injuries. Of these 1,962 fatalities, 923 of them transpired in the construction industry. Professional and business services recorded 258 fatalities, trade, transportation and utilities recorded 210, natural resources and mining recorded 197, and manufacturing recorded 155.

The occupation of those involved in these fatal incidents also varied, including individuals in construction and extraction, installation, maintenance and repair, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance, transportation and material moving, and production management. This means that no matter what role an individual is in, electrical safety policies should be included when developing the safety plan for their role. 

In this series we will be diving further into several areas of your organization that can be affected after an electrical incident, including: repercussions for employees, resulting impacts to your organization’s financials, and changes to community perception of your organization. Each of these topics includes nuances that your organization should be aware of. To continue, begin the series by exploring how employees are affected by electrical incidents.