Page 23 - May-Jun 19

lectricity is vital to every
building, whether residential,
industrial, or commercial.
It is what helps run our
Ebusinesses and our society as
a whole. The importance of electricity
cannot be under estimated, in the
same way that its potential danger
cannot be taken for granted.

According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, between 2008 and 2017 there
was an average of 158 electrically related
workplace fatalities a year. Based on
data from the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, 64% of all electrical
fatalities occurred in non-electrical
occupations. Construction occupations
accounted for 40% of the fatalities while
electrical workers accounted for 36%.

The majority of electrically related
fatalities for electricians were caused
by electric shock, while working on
an electrical apparatus. Additionally,
most electricians were working on their
regularly assigned task and failure to
follow proper lockout/tagout procedures
and misjudgment of a hazardous situation
were common causes of fatalities.

To help reduce the number of workplace
electrical fatalities, the Electrical
Safety Foundation International has
released a number of free awareness
videos with a focus on the importance
of qualified electrical workers, “Know

When to Say When – Know When

to Stop Work,” and how to avoid
contact with overhead power lines.
THE IMPORTANCE
OF QUALIFIED
ELECTRICAL WORKERS

ESFI encourages that all electrical
work be completed by qualified
electrical workers. Trained electrical
workers know and understand the
requirements of the National Electrical
Code® and are experienced at
compliance with NFPA 70E Standard
for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

www.ieci.org | May/June 2019 | Insights Magazine 21