Electrical Hazards

In the U.S., hundreds of construction workers die every year while on the job, with over 700 fatalities just in the year 2011. The third leading cause of these deaths is electrocution. Electrocutions cause one of every ten construction worker deaths, with nearly 70 deaths in 2011. But these deaths can be prevented. The video you are about to see shows how quickly contact with overhead power lines can result in the electrocution of a worker. The video will also show what employers must do so that the work can be done more safely. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and protect workers against possible hazards. You’ll see that training workers, pre-job planning and taking the right precautions save lives. Please be advised. The scenes you are about to see deal with deaths at construction sites and might be disturbing for some people. All scenes are based on true stories.

Two workers were hired to caulk windows on a new three-story townhouse. There were overhead power lines located 20 feet from the house and about 25 feet above ground level. One worker was using a 40-foot metal extension ladder to reach and caulk the third story windows, while another worker was on the ground caulking windows. The ladder was extended to reach a vertical height of 31 feet above ground. The ladder’s base was set 8 feet from the side of the townhouse.

After the worker finished one window, he came down from the ladder. He tried to move by the ladder by himself, with the ladder still extended in the upright position. But the ladder was top heavy and too unstable and it fell backwards while the worker was still holding it. As it fell, the aluminum ladder contacted the overhead power line near the townhome. Because the worker was using a highly conductive metal ladder, it allowed the electrical current in the power lines to reach the worker. He died instantly.

Let’s look at the events leading up to this tragic incident, and see how it could have been prevented. Originally the worker climbed down the ladder and tried to move it by himself. Because the ladder was still in the upright position and extended, it was too hard to handle even though the worker was himself a safe distance from the power line. As a result, it fell over and hit the power line. Because the worker was holding the metal ladder when it hit the power line, it allowed current to pass through the worker’s body to the ground.

Now let’s take a look at the worker doing the same task safely: This time, before starting to work, the worker and his foreman inspect the area including checking for overhead power lines. After checking on the voltages with the utility company, the foreman and the worker discuss safe working distances from the power lines. The foreman reminds the worker of the need to keep himself and the ladder clear of the power lines at all times. As an added safety precaution a fiberglass ladder is selected for use in this area. While the fiberglass ladder is heavier, it has non-conductive side rails and two workers can safely handle it. As before, the worker climbs down the ladder to move to the second window, but this time he calls over to his co-worker to help move the ladder. The two workers first bring the extended section down, and then carry the ladder horizontally toward the second window to prevent the ladder from hitting the overhead power lines.

Now that you have seen how to perform this work safely, let’s go over some important points to prevent these types of electrocutions at work sites: All workers need to be trained about the hazards. Maintain clearance from overhead power lines. Working too close can expose the worker to an electric arc that could result in burns, a shock, or electrocution even if the worker does not contact the power line. In addition to maintaining clearance from overhead lines, use ladders with non-conductive side rails as an added safety precaution. Using ladders with non-conductive side rails is safer but not a guarantee of protection from an energized power line. In addition, ladders are not rated for electrical safety, so, it is important to always use safety precautions that maintain safe distances from overhead power lines.

Inspect ladders before and after each use. Only use ladders that are clean, dry and undamaged. For example, if a fiberglass ladder is not kept clean, dry, and in undamaged condition it can conduct electricity. Don’t carry or move extension ladders in the upright position. Get help moving ladders to keep control and prevent accidental contact with energized overhead power lines. If a ladder should accidentally hit an overhead power line do not touch it, quickly move away and call the electric utility company immediately. If appropriate clearance from an overhead power line cannot be met, contact the utility company to de-energize and ground the line or request the utility company install insulation over the lines to protect workers.

This example shows the importance of employers following OSHA standards to ensure that workers are provided with a safe workplace. These types of construction deaths are preventable. The protection measures shown here save workers’ lives. Use these protections on the job: it could be the difference between life and death. If you would like more information, contact OSHA at www.osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA. That’s 1-800-321-6742.

In the U.S., hundreds of construction workers die every year while on the job, with over 700 fatalities just in the year 2011. The third leading cause of these deaths is electrocution. Electrocutions cause one of every ten construction worker deaths, with nearly 70 deaths in 2011. But these deaths can be prevented. The video you are about to see shows how quickly contact with overhead power lines can result in the electrocution of a worker. The video will also show what employers must do to ensure that the work can be done more safely. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and protect workers against possible hazards. You'll see that training workers, pre-job planning and taking the right precautions save lives. Please be advised. The scenes you are about to see deal with deaths at construction sites and may be disturbing to some people. All scenes are based on actual events.

Two construction workers were replacing a section of pipe in a trench next to a road. They were using a crane to unload the pipe from a truck and place it on the ground close to the trench. While one worker operated the crane, another worker was on the ground to help direct the pipe toward the ground near the trench. The worker directing the pipe had one hand on the tagline, which was attached to the rigging used to lift the load. As the crane operator began to move the pipe, the crane's boom contacted an overhead power line. The electrical current traveled through the boom, down the load line, along the tagline, and reached the worker. He died instantly.

Let's look at the events leading up to this tragic incident, and see how it could have been prevented. The worksite did not have many of the required controls in place to protect workers from overhead power line hazards. For instance, before the work started, the employer had not set up the required clearance distance to keep the crane a safe distance from the overhead power line.

Let's take a look at the same work area, this time with proper precautions in place. All workers are trained, this includes the crane operator being certified and the rigger and spotter fully qualified. Because the line is "live" (or energized), the employer has taken steps to keep a safe distance from the power line: The foreman obtained the voltage of the overhead power line from the utility company. Based on the voltage, he determined the minimum required distance of the crane from the power line. A pre-job safety planning meeting was held. Flags are set up to show the boundary that must not be crossed. A non-conductive tag line is used to control the movement of the pipes. The truck is no longer directly below the power line. And a spotter is on site with a two-way radio to communicate with the operator.Higher voltage lines will require greater minimum safe distances and additional precautions than those shown here. Now, as the pipe is moved, the boom remains a safe distance from the power lines and the worker safely guides the pipe towards the ground near the trench.

This video shows one of several options employers can use to keep workers safe when operating cranes near power lines. Not all worksites are the same, and the precautions could be different than those shown here. Construction deaths from electrocutions are preventable. The precautions shown here save workers' lives. Follow safe crane operation requirements on the job: it could be the difference between life and death.

If you would like more information, contact OSHA at www.osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA that's 1-800-321-6742.

An electrician was working on an open electrical panel on a ship. He needed to add a new cable and attach it to a breaker within the panel. The electrician identified the isolation breaker that fed the entire panel on the schematic drawing. The electrician de-energized the breaker and properly tagged out. As the electrician was fitting the new cable into the panel his left hand came into contact with the panel's main bust bars. Four hundred forty volts of current passed from the bus bars through his left hand, across his chest, and out his right hand that braced him against the panel electrocuting him. At some point the tagged out isolation breaker had been crossed wired with another breaker. The electrician did not know that the panel he was working on was never de-energized. (MUSIC)

Let's look at some of the contributing factors that led to this fatality.

Employees should verify the location of all energy isolation points. Employees must check or test electrical panels or electrically powered equipment to ensure they are in fact de-energized before working inside them or within the vicinity of exposed electrical circuits. Inform all contractors and subcontractors of the ship's systems and/or modifications to the systems prior to beginning work. (MUSIC)