Electrical Safety Month - Know the Stats

This was originally published from the Electrical Safety Foundation and can also be found on the OEL blog.

Contact with or exposure to electricity continues to be one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries in the United States. Between 2011 and 2022, there were 1,322 workplace fatalities involving electricity, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). During this period, 70% of deaths occurred in non-electrically related occupations.?

• 70% of workplace electrical fatalities occurred in non-electrical occupations
• 30% of workplace electrical fatalities occurred in electrical occupations
• 6% of all fatalities were caused by contact with electricity
• 1.5% average decrease in workplace electrical fatalities year over year

Occupations Involved in Electrical Fatalities as Reported to OSHA

Occupations with the most electrical fatalities:

• Electricians: 195 fatalities
• Construction Laborers: 119 fatalities?
• Laborers, Except Construction: 117 fatalities?
• Electrical Power Installers & Repairers: 109 fatalities?
• Tree Trimming Occupations: 94 fatalities
• HVAC & Refrigeration Mechanics: 42 fatalities?
• Electricians’ Apprentices: 37 fatalities?
• Truck Drivers, Heavy: 35 fatalities?
• Roofers: 29 fatalities?
• Painters, Construction & Maintenance: 28 fatalities?

• 8% Working on or near Energized Wires or Parts

• 41% Contact with Overhead Power Lines
• 6% Lockout / Tagout or Safety Devices Removed
• 3% PPE Issue
• 1% Arc-Flash / Blast

The construction industry has the highest number of electrical fatalities

• Electrical fatality rates per 100,000 workers have remained consistent, while overall fatality rates have increased

• Hispanic or Latino workers have the highest rate of electrical fatalities at 0.18 fatalities per 100,00 workers:
• White, non-Hispanic: 0.1 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 0.06 deaths per 100,000 workers
• The highest rate of electrical fatalities occurs in construction and extraction occupations, installation, maintenance, and repair occupations, and building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations.?