Dealing with electrical hazards as a construction worker goes beyond just following the OSHA regulations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released a report that noted 77% of the electrocutions that involved contract workers between 2012 and 2016 were from the construction industry. Construction workers face the constant risk of electrocution on job sites. Still, by taking a few simple steps, they can tilt the odds in their favor. Here, we explore some of the methods the construction industry can employ to help to protect their frontline workers.

Training

Before a worker can successfully deal with a problem, he or she needs to be aware of what that problem entails. Electrical safety training, such as that provided in a qualified technical person course, should be considered a standard part of a construction worker’s prerequisites before setting foot on a job site.

Electrical safety training enables an employee to spot potential hazards early on. Training includes offering workers emergency plans that highlight specific risks on the job site. Employees that work in especially high-risk areas should have more training regarding the use of electrically rated PPE. Training a worker how to deal with an electrical hazard is the first step towards ensuring they don’t become another statistic.

Wear Protective Gear

The amount of personal protection that a worker should wear is directly related to how dangerous their job is likely to be. This consideration holds for electrical safety equipment as well as general PPE. In the case of electrical hazards, strict use of code-approved PPE should be the standard. According to the Occupational Health and Safety website, essential equipment should help construction workers raise their resistance to electrical shock.

Standard PPE that a construction worker ought to have access to include an electrical-rated hard hat of class E or G, EH-rated boots, and rubber-insulated gloves for handling potential live wires. Additionally, the NFPA suggests that a worker should maintain a distance of twelve (12) inches between the insulated and uninsulated body parts to avoid electric arcing. The safety equipment used in these situations requires regular testing since daily work can lead to wear and tear that may render the PPE useless. Testing ensures that the worker has confidence in his or her PPE to protect their lives.

Control/Eliminate Electrical Hazards
Certain areas on construction sites tend to be more likely to lead to electrocution than others. There are methods that the construction industry has developed for mitigating the risks associated with these high-risk situations:

• Extension Cords: These may be required to feed power to operating equipment. Ensuring that the cords don’t run over liquid, or that they don’t get damaged in the course of work will provide a lower chance of electrical shock to the employee.
• Energized Sources: Because of the chaos of a construction site, some metal surfaces may become electrified by their contact with an electrical source. Alert employees ought to be aware of where the exposed wires and faulty electrical wiring is, and avoid placing metal objects near them. If possible, always de-energize the high voltage lines that are not in use, especially defective wiring within a building.
• Power Lines: Workers might not be able to see overhead or underground power lines, but they can deal with the visible ones. OSHA notes that all workers should maintain no less than a ten-foot distance between themselves and live power lines. Helmets and gloves, as prescribed earlier, are recommended for workers that may be close to these lines as a precaution.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
GFCIs are safety-enabled electrical outlets that detect imbalances within the electrical circuit, breaking the flow of power to avoid electrical shock to the user. They are beneficial devices within houses, but on a construction site, they could save lives. Efficient GFCI use ensures that workers don’t end up with a high risk of electrical shock due to hazards that already exist in the surrounding areas.

Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program

Some hazards may arise because of the power tools that the employee is using. To avoid these hazards, a construction site should have an established equipment grounding conductor program in place. Additionally, if the worksite has a lot of electrical paraphernalia about, the workers should be outfitted with electrical testers, clamp meters, or voltage regulators, and be trained in how to use them. Knowing that a risk is present can help employees make better decisions for their safety.

Keeping All Employees Alert

When working on a job site that has the chance of electrical shock, all workers should know the state of the electrical hazards at all times. When energized sources are apparent, employees should keep a proper distance from those areas to avoid electrical arcing. Human beings are mostly water, and as a result, in the case of an open electrical fault, the worker’s body will provide the most natural path to ground, resulting in a potentially fatal electrical shock. In some cases, it may be in the contractor’s best interest to hire a licensed electrician to ensure that these faults are dealt with in a way so that they don’t leave room for future incidents.

Communication in the Presence of Electrical Hazards

Many workers usually communicate audibly, but on loud worksites, using signs to indicate the presence of electrical hazards and their state may be more useful. Some electrical hazards are easy to spot because of sparking wires. Employees should make sure that they point out these hazards to their co-workers to remind them. Additionally, compliance signs can be erected in the short term to warn workers about risks.

Follow the OSHA Guidelines

OSHA has a massive list of guidelines that workers should keep in mind when performing construction work on a wide variety of sites. Among the things that OSHA notes include:

• Any worn or frayed electrical equipment should be replaced as soon as possible.
• All electrical tools should be checked often for faults that may lead to shock. Safety ground equipment on these tools should never be tampered with.
• Multiple Plug Adapters are prohibited for use on job sites.
• Work should never begin on a worksite that still has hot (live) circuitry in operation.

While most professionals understand that electrical hazards present a clear and present danger to workers, a few workers ignore the rules put in place for their safety. Keeping safe on a job site is everyone’s responsibility. Following the OSHA guidelines makes it less likely for a worker to fall victim to an accident that could potentially cost them their livelihoods or their lives.

Author:
Bobby Lynn is the Owner of LiveWire Electrical, a fully licensed and insured residential electrical company serving Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas. Bobby has been in the electrical industry for over 20 years and has a vast knowledge of all things electrical. Learn more about LiveWire’s services here.