On any construction site, there is a risk of electrocution when lines are being run or electrical tools are being used. Electrocution is one of the Focus Four Hazards determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What that means is that it is one of the main four hazards that leads to accidents, injuries and deaths each year.
It’s important to note that your employer does have a responsibility to provide you with a safe work environment. That includes training you to handle electrical hazards, making the team aware of potential hazards on site and providing you with the equipment you need to work safely.
What is a helpful tip to avoid electrical issues on site?
One of the most important safety tips is for all construction workers to “look up.” This means that workers need to come to the jobsite each day and look up and inspect the surroundings. They should look for signs of electrical wiring or hazards that may be live, so they can report unusual hazards and be aware of where known hazards are.
Only those with the right qualifications or clearances should go into areas where electrical hazards are present. Additionally, if you are working with large equipment on site, there should be at least a 10-foot distance between you and the overhead power lines at all times.
Take additional precautions to keep yourself safe
You can also take additional protections if you want to be safer on site. After identifying potential hazards, double check your safety equipment and ask for more training if you feel you don’t have enough to work with electricity safely. Avoid working in damp or wet conditions that could end up leading to shocks when you least expect them.
If you are electrocuted at work, you have rights
If you’re injured on the job because you come into contact with electrical lines or other hazards, you have a right to seek medical care and to look into getting workers’ compensation for your injuries. It’s your employer’s responsibility to help you stay safe, so you may have a right to a claim.