According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction laborers have a high number of workplace electrical fatalities. A total of 60% of these fatalities occurred from contact with overhead power lines, while another 35% were caused by working on or near energized equipment or wires. 70% of all worker electrical fatalities occur in non-electrical occupations.
- 60% of construction laborer workplace electrical fatalities occurred from contact with overhead power lines
- 35% of construction laborer fatalities are caused by coming in contact with energized equipment or parts. Stay away from energized equipment
- Locate and identify utilities such as overhead power lines and underground wires before starting work. Call 811 before you dig.
- Look for overhead power lines when operating or moving equipment
- Always use ground-fault protection
- Do not operate portable electric tools unless grounded or double-insulated
- Know and maintain safe distances from power lines
- <50v – 46 Kv: 10 feet safe distance
- 41.41 Kv – 169 Kv: 10 – 12 feet safe distance
- 230 Kv – 362 Kv: 13 – 16 feet safe distance
- 500 Kv – 800 Kv: 19 – 24 feet safe distance
- Be aware of energized equipment or parts near you. Many fatalities occur from workers accidentally coming in contact with energized equipment or parts near them
