Electrical Injuries Safety Toolbox Talk

Electrical Injuries

The various power/electricity associated hazards cause fatal workplace injuries to the workplace workforce. The electrical hazards are frequently present in various types of industries including but not limited to general industry, construction, and MEP Facility management work. It is essential for the project engineers, technicians, workers, and other work-related staff to be well aware, capable, and competent to detect, and perceive the electrical hazards around their work area art site, or facility and minimize the possibilities and occurrences of electrical-related Injuries and Fatalities.

As per the statics from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), there were 166 fatal electrical injuries in 2019. There was a total of 1,900 injuries due to electrical that required days away from work in 2019.

Reference: (Electrical Safety Foundation International)

If we look forward, the above-mentioned statics are only for the injuries and fatalities related to electrical. Moreover, the above statistics, do not include injuries caused by secondary events such as falling from a height, scaffolds or other working platforms, confined space, excavation work, etc. Mostly, in almost every sector of work, various minor or serious injuries are not reported by the HSE personnel, supervisors, or even by the workers. So, when any of the individuals get some sort of shock but do not search for or need treatment for their physical injuries. Due to this incident reporting laxity, it is tough to completely track the happenings of severe or minor electrical shock in the workplace.

General Electrical Hazards

Live and Energized overhead powerlines
Lightning
Faulty equipment/machinery/electrical devices or appliances
Working on or near energized or live equipment/machinery/electrical devices or appliances
Improper grounding
Damaged insulation

The Basic Factors that Affect the Severity of the Electrical Shock

Here we will discuss when and how an electrical shock occurs when an employee, worker, or technician at the site or daily routine work becomes part of an electrical circuit and the electrical current passes through his body.

A human body becomes part of a circuit when they are in contact with an electrical current and ground or an electrical current and another electrical current with a different voltage. Three basic aspects affect the severity of the electrical shock a human body receives or when it becomes a part of an electrical circuit:

A. Amount of current flowing through the body (measured in amperes).

B. Path of the current through the body.

C. Length of time the body is in the circuit.

There are also secondary considerations, for example, the moisture conditions or environment, conditions of the heart of the individual at the time of shock, and physical health status of the individual that can affect the severity of the shock and could harm minor or critical.

Safety Talks Outline

There are many causes and ways to get injured or fatality by electricity both on the job or your routine repair or engagement with power-operated electrical appliances, etc.
If we look forward, the above-mentioned statics are only for the injuries and fatalities related to common electrical hazards, and how electrical shock occurs.
It is essential to understand how to mitigate electrical hazards.
Discuss the electrical hazards and the mitigation actions for these hazards in your workplace with your supervisor or health and safety manager.