oshafocusfour || electrocution€¦ · oshafocusfour || electrocution volume 1 issue 14 remember...

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According to OSHA, Construction safety is one of their topconcerns. Construction is among the most dangerous industriesand in recent years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found thatthere are more than 800 fatal on-the-job injuries toconstruction workers annually in the U.S. – more than in anyother single industry and account for nearly one out of everyfive work-related deaths in the U.S.

OSHA has found 4 top areas of fatalities in construction:

• Electrocution hazards

• Fall hazards

• Caught-in hazards

• Struck-by hazards

This topic will be focused on Electrocution hazards.

OSHA Standard 1926.21(b)(2) The employer shall instruct eachemployee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and theregulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminateany hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.

OSHA FOCUS FOUR || ElectrocutionVolume 1 Issue 14


Electrical hazards can be found on every construction project. Examples include:

Overhead powerlines

Exposed energized wires in electrical panels or outlets

Damaged tools or extension cords

Improperly insulated equipment

Faulty wiring or missing ground pins

Unsafe work practices

Never use metal ladders when working with or near energized electrical equipment. (*1)


OSHA Standard 1926.1053(b)(12)says that ladders shall havenonconductive siderails if they areused where the employee or theladder could contact exposedenergized electrical equipment...


Workers must be protected from energizedelectrical parts!

Covers should be in place and locked, ifnecessary, to avoid accidental contact bypersons not qualified to work on electricalequipment.

Openings in electrical panels should becovered, guarded, or protected to preventaccidental shocks or electrocution.


OSHA Standard 1926.416(a)(1) states that no employershall permit an employee to work in such proximity toany part of an electric power circuit that the employeecould contact the electric power circuit in the course ofwork, unless the employee is protected against electricshock by deenergizing the circuit and grounding it or byguarding it effectively by insulation or other means.

These panels could pose a serious hazard if energized!

Energized wires could be accidentally contacted due to theopening in this electrical panel.



Inspect all tools before use. (*3)

Drill with visible damage on the interior. Never attempt to repair electricaltools or equipment unless you are qualified for the work. (*2)

Never use damaged or defective electrical tools!

Always inspect your electrical tools before use.

OSHA Standard 1926.300(a) Condition of tools. All hand and power tools and similar equipment, whetherfurnished by the employer or the employee, shall be maintained in a safe condition.


Employees must use ladders with non-conductivesiderails when working with or near electricalcomponents. Note the fall protection equipment andelectrical gloves worn by this worker. (*4)


Remember these tips to minimize electrocution hazards:

Always inspect your electrical tools before use.

Never use metal ladders when working with or nearenergized electrical equipment.

Never use damaged or defective electrical tools!

Covers should be in place and locked, if necessary, toavoid accidental contact by persons not qualified towork on electrical equipment.

Openings in electrical panels should be covered,guarded, or protected to prevent accidental shocks orelectrocution.

Never attempt to repair electrical tools or equipmentunless you are qualified for the work.

Workers must be protected from energized electricalparts!

Sample electrical danger sign. (*5)

© Weeklysafety.com, LLC

COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMERThis material is the copyrighted property of Weeklysafety.com, LLC. Purchase of this material from Weeklysafety.com, LLC grants the owner the right to use this material for workplace safetyand education purposes only. Use of this material for any other purpose, particularly commercial use, is prohibited. This material, including the photos, may not be resold.Weeklysafety.com, LLC does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or processdisclosed in these materials. Photos shown in this presentation may depict situations that are not in compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safetyrequirements. These materials are meant for informational purposes only and it is not the intent of Weeklysafety.com, LLC to provide compliance-based training. The intent is more toaddress hazard awareness in the construction and related industries, and to recognize the potential hazards present in many workplaces. These materials are intended to discuss FederalRegulations only, as individual State requirements may be more stringent. Many states operate their own state OSHA and may have standards that are different from information presentedin this training. It is the responsibility of the employer and its employees to comply with all pertinent OSHA safety rules and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they work.

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For more information on this weekly safety topic, other topics that are available and the full list of FAQs please visitwww.weeklysafety.com or email [email protected].

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• (*1) Photo Credit – Jakeliefer. Tim On The Ladder. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jakeliefer/436388905/

• (*2) Photo Credit – Marco Bernardini. Bad Hair Sunday. https://www.flickr.com/photos/funadium/4021622537/

• (*3) Photo Credit – Brett and Sue Coulstock. Brett with Jarrah Feature Wall - Strawbale House Build in Redmond Western Australia. https://www.flickr.com/photos/redmoonsanctuary/8663727531/

• (*4) Photo Credit – Kristina Savic. 365.11 - Sparkie. https://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinaphotograpy365/8426635390/

• (*5) Photo Credit – Michael Coghlan. Beware Electrocution. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/15591811499/

Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/


oshafocusfour || electrocution€¦ · oshafocusfour || electrocution volume 1 issue 14 remember...

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