The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, and a construction site is a work environment that has safety hazards around every corner seemingly. But, construction workers are people that play a significant role in making the world go round. Whether you work in infrastructure, commercial, institutional, or specialized industrial construction, your services are very much needed to literally build the world around us. However, in doing so, it’s vital that you have a clear understanding of the different hazards that come with working in a dangerous industry and work environment.
In the construction industry, you’re at risk of four workplace hazards. According to OSHA, these four workplace hazards are known as the “Fatal Four,” which describe the leading causes of workplace deaths and over half of all construction worker deaths each year.
The “Fatal Four’s” leading causes of death in the construction industry are the following:
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Falls: Falls are the number one cause of construction worker fatalities. These workplace incidents occur when working at height, such as on scaffolds, roofs, or on ladders. In 2020, there was a total of 1,008 fatalities in the construction industry. Out of the 1,008, 351 were falls.
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Electrocution: Out of all the industries to work in, construction workers were at the highest risk of getting electrocuted; In fact, construction workers are four times more likely to get electrocuted. Most of the electrocution fatalities occur from workers being around live electrical equipment, overhead/underground powerlines, temporary power, and poor electrical maintenance.
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Caught-in or Between: This particular fatality happens to workers that work around collapsing walls in demolition, machinery that has unprotected moving parts, or unguarded excavation areas or trenches. This also includes moving vehicles and heavy equipment that could possibly tip over, resulting in being crushed, pinched, squeezed, or caught between two or more objects.
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Struck-by Incidents: These hazards are more like to cause non-fatal injuries and are the second most cause of fatalities. When a worker is struck by something, it’s typically from a falling or flying object or heavy equipment or vehicles.
Now that you know more about each of the fatalities included in the “Fatal Four,” Let’s take a closer look at the electrocution hazard and discuss the importance of electrical maintenance and electrocution prevention.
Staying Safe Around Electrocution Hazards
The two major hazards associated with electricity that construction workers need to be vigilant of are electrical shock and fires. Electrocutions happen when an electric current passes through the body, becoming part of the electric circuit, whether directly or indirectly. And because construction sites are the exact environments where these types of incidents occur, having proper safety precautions in place is a must. However, in order to stay safe, you must recognize the potential electrocution hazards:
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Faulty electrical outlets
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Touching damaged cords
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Wet conditions or skin (water is a conductor of electricity)
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Metal coming into contact with power lines
So how can you be safe in such a dangerous environment? Well, there are many ways to ensure a construction site is safe in preventing electrocutions.
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Ensure all workers receive ongoing training
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Follow lockout/tagout procedures
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Utilize ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
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Wear proper gear/PPE
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Properly inspect tolls and equipment daily
Above all else, in addition to the electrical maintenance and electrocution prevention tips listed, the best thing you can do is have a licensed electrician on your site every day until your project is complete; it’s truly not safe for construction workers to work in areas that require the expertise of a licensed professional.
Construction teams hire subcontractors all the time for various sectors of the project simply because subcontractors have a specific area of focus or expertise that is needed that general contractors don’t always have. When it comes to electricity, wiring, and keeping workers safe, electricians are going to play an integral role in that.
Impact of the “Fatal Four”
Knowing what the “Fatal Four” is and the statistics surrounding these workplace fatalities are not only shocking but very unfortunate as well. What’s more unfortunate is that nearly all accidents that occur at a construction site are completely preventable when proper safety training, PPE, and procedures are put in place.
In reference to electrical hazards, ongoing training, PPE, and knowing when to hire or sub-contract professionally trained and licensed electricians, is going to decrease putting construction workers at risk of electrocution and eliminate existing and potential hazards.
At Schaffhouser Electric, your industry is our expertise. We inspect, build, repair, design, and maintain electrical systems in the construction industry. From integrating control systems and renovation/add-on projects to electrical fittings and wirings, and everything in between, we have years of experience as licensed electricians and know how to leverage the best technology to build safe and effective solutions for your business. For inquiries, call (615) 325-8001.
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