Contact with electricity is one of the leading causes of fatalities in the workplace. The construction industry experiences over four times the number of electrical fatalities than any other leading industry, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International.
The hard truth is that many of these incidents are avoidable with the right preplanning, training and attention to safety protocols. For example, having a dedicated spotter when operating heavy equipment near hazards is crucial. Spotters act as an extra set of eyes but are often overlooked or underutilized when companies are focused on meeting tight deadlines or working with labor constraints.
As the pace of construction projects increases, particularly in the spring and summer months, understanding the most common causes of electrocution and best practices for avoiding it can help construction teams work more safely.
Here are three common causes of electrocution on jobsites and strategies for preventing incidents.
Contact With Overhead Power Lines
Accounting for 48% of workplace electrical fatalities, overhead power lines are the most significant electrocution hazard on jobsites, especially for those working with tall equipment such as cranes, scaffolding and ladders. With an extremely high voltage and typically no insulation like other electrical wiring, any contact is incredibly risky. Sometimes injury can even occur without contact, as the electricity can arc and jump under specific conditions.
Risk mitigation strategies when working near overhead power lines include:
- Conduct pre-work assessments: A thorough site survey is important before beginning work to identify and mark power line locations.
- Maintain safe distances: Keep machinery, equipment and loads at least 20 feet from power lines—and keep workers 20 feet away from machinery operating near power lines.
- Use insulated or non-conductive equipment: Choose fiberglass ladders and nonconductive tagline ropes. All tools should be rated for electrical work.
- Spotter systems: Designate a trained spotter to guide operators of cranes, lifts and other large equipment.
Striking Underground Electrical Lines
Excavation and trenching operations pose a serious risk of hitting buried electrical and utility lines. A single contact with a live underground line can result in electrocution, fires and even explosions.
It’s crucial to use utility markers to avoid underground strikes, especially in the spring when transitioning weather collides with a ramping up construction season.
According to Common Ground Alliance’s 2023 DIRT Report, the top root causes for damage to underground utility lines, including electrical lines, are failure to notify the 811 “Call Before You Dig” center, failure to maintain clearance after verifying marks, and the facility not being marked due to locator error.
Best practices for avoiding these dangerous strikes include:
- Certification programs: Ensure workers are certified in relevant excavation and utility safety programs (e.g., OSHA’s excavation standards, or equivalent local regulations).
- Pre-job meetings: Hold preconstruction meetings to review the utility strike prevention plan, clarify roles and communicate safety expectations to all stakeholders.
- Regular safety drills: Conduct drills or refreshers on how to respond in case of a utility strike or near miss.
- Third-party site inspections: Engage with third-party experts who can assess the site and make recommendations for mitigating risks associated with utility strikes.
- Call before you dig: Notify 811 or use the local utility marking service before excavation.
- Comprehensive pre-work assessments: Compare site plans with utility maps to cross-check potential hazard areas. Don’t assume it’s safe to excavate just because there are no locate marks present. Do your due diligence. For example, if you’re digging between a transformer and the electric meter on a building, but there are no location marks and no overhead wires to connect the two, there’s likely a line buried there.
- Follow hand-digging guidelines: In areas where utilities are suspected, encourage the use of non-mechanical excavation tools (e.g., hand digging or vacuum excavation also known as a “soft dig”) to reduce the risk of hitting utilities. It’s a safer, less destructive alternative to traditional digging methods. In these areas, never use a pickaxe or stand on the shovel to break the dirt apart. Keep the shovel on an angle so it’s less likely to cause damage. And wear insulated gloves.
Electrical Equipment and Tool Safety
Arc flashes—sudden, high-energy electrical explosions that can produce temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun—can occur due to faulty equipment, improper maintenance or when workers unknowingly mishandle electrical systems. A heightened risk in manufacturing due to high-voltage equipment, these incidents are also a significant concern in construction where jobsites are constantly changing and electrical panels are often exposed. Whether it’s troubleshooting equipment, running new wiring or resetting breakers, workers may take shortcuts or unknowingly bypass safety procedures, leading to dangerous situations.
At the same time, unsafe handling of power tools and temporary electrical setups can also lead to electrocution. Construction workers rely on power tools, extension cords and temporary lighting daily, but damaged equipment, wet conditions and improper grounding can turn these essential tools into serious hazards.
Measures to avoid dangerous arc flashes include:
Routine maintenance and inspections: Regularly check electrical panels, circuits and wiring for signs of wear, corrosion or loose connections. Workers should also check power tools, cords and outlets before use.
Follow lockout/tagout protocols: Before performing maintenance, de-energize equipment and use a lockout/tagout system to ensure it stays off.
Enforce worker qualifications: Arc-flash risk increases when untrained workers attempt electrical repairs. Ensure only certified electricians handle live circuits.
Train workers on safe tool use: Proper handling, storage and maintenance of electrical tools should be part of every worker’s safety training.
Awareness, Training, Accountability
While implementing protective measures and following regulations can reduce the risk of electrocution, an untrained and unaware workforce won’t recognize hazards until it’s too late. Electrical safety training should be more than a one-time event. All workers need regular refreshers on identifying hazards, using protective equipment properly and following safety procedures. With real-world scenarios and peer-to-peer accountability to reinforce the training, workers can be empowered to stop unsafe practices and call out risks.
However, supervisors and project managers really set the tone for safety culture. If cutting corners is tolerated to meet tight deadlines or budgets, workers will feel pressured to take on or ignore risks. That’s why leaders must prioritize safety in project planning and utilize resources such as insurance carriers and brokers to help implement risk management best practices.
SEE ALSO: NINE ELECTRICAL HAZARDS TO WATCH OUT FOR
