May is National Electrical Safety Month, an awareness campaign launched by the non-profit organization Electrical Safety Foundation International. The goal is to educate about risks so as to reduce the number of electrically related fires, fatalities, injuries, and other losses. For utility and construction workers, these are very real work-related injuries they experience every day on the job.
At Ara Work Injury Law, our electrical injury lawyer in Florida can help you navigate your rights to compensation if you were hurt on the job, including suffering from electrical injuries. Contact us for a free consultation so we can go over with you what your rights are and how we can help. Otherwise, check the following electrical hazards on the job and how to avoid them.
Watch for Overhead Power Lines
One of the most common threats to work-related injuries resulting in an electrocution injury claim is not noticing and avoiding overhead power lines. Whether you are in a truck or a lift, failing to notice the presence of hard-to-see electrical lines can cause the loss of life. This is a fully avoidable work injury if you are following all OSHA guidelines for electrical safety.
Faulty Wiring
Utility and construction workers often face risks related to faulty wiring, especially if they are working on a project in which the property owner did their own electrical work. This type of injury can be life-threatening and hard to predict. Training for electrical risks related to faulty wiring often focuses on observance of conditions, especially if you do not know who did the work before you.
Exposed Electrical Components
Another type of injury that can happen on the job relates to exposed electrical parts. Any type of exposed component can lead to a shock. One of the many employer responsibilities is to ensure that employees have safe working conditions. To ensure this, employers must inspect and repair any damaged electrical system, including all equipment.
Damaged Tools
Many employees spend a great deal of time working with the same tools day in and day out, and usually that is not a problem. However, without proper upkeep and management of those tools, they can stop working properly and create an electrical risk. This includes damage to cables, wires, cords, and battery compartments.
Inadequate Wiring and Overload Circuits
Another potentially devastating type of accident occurs when the wires are the wrong size for the current that is moving through them, causing them to overheat. This is one of the common reasons for electrical fires related to your tools or equipment. Your employer’s responsibilities are to replace and not use damaged tools. This is a common injury in construction accidents because equipment or outlets could be overloaded quickly.
Improper Grounding
Another of the most common causes of electrical injuries is improper grounding of equipment. When done properly, grounding eliminates the risk of unwanted voltage and reduces the risk of electrocution. It is a high-risk injury, but also something that can be properly prevented.
Damaged Insulation
Another type of hazard in electrical work and construction projects is damaged insulation. Insufficient or no longer in good condition insulation can cause a fire hazard. Damaged insulation around cords and wiring can create a much higher risk of complicated electrical fires.
Wet Conditions
Any type of electrical equipment operation during wet conditions is strictly prohibited. Without proper protective equipment – another of the employer’s responsibilities – it is very easy for someone to suffer serious injury through electrocution. Those who work in wet conditions must have specific training to handle these risks.
Know Your Employer’s Responsibilities
A work accident with electricity is a life-threatening situation. Employers are legally responsible for providing a safe place for workers to operate. Consider the following related requirements and responsibilities employers have in the construction and electrical industries for their employees:
- Identify all hazards and risks. This is an ongoing process, one that requires consistency and attention to detail. This includes understanding the risks associated with any machinery and electrical risks related to the job.
- Control risks. Your employer should have a plan in place that allows you to monitor for risks and address them immediately. Control measures should also clearly indicate how these types of risks are cared for, including prioritizing risks that could cause harm.
- Provide safety equipment. Depending on the situation, you may need to wear safety equipment to minimize or eliminate risk. Employers must provide that equipment and, as they do, they must maintain it over time, ensuring that conditions remain safe for you.
- Provide you with training: Your employer is also responsible for providing you with the necessary training to use equipment and manage electrical risk.
- Maintain records. Employers must also keep records of all risks and how they were handled and repaired.
What to Do for an Electrocution Injury Claim
If you are hurt on the job, seek medical care immediately. Alert your employer to what happened and gather any details you can. Prioritize your health and well-being. Many electrical injuries often require calling 911 and getting immediate care.
As you begin to recover, you will need to pursue an electrocution injury claim, and that is something our legal team can help you with. We represent utility and construction workers who have experienced all types of electrical injuries on the job.
As an electrical injury lawyer in Florida, we encourage you to contact Ara Work Injury Law for a free consultation. We will review what happened in your incident, gather documentation to demonstrate fault, and help you file a comprehensive electrocution injury claim that helps you recover your losses. If your loved one lost their life to such an injury, reach out to us immediately for guidance.Contact Ara Work Injury Law, your electrical injury attorney serving workers throughout Florida. Call us at 561.934.3272 | 561.9343.ARA, if you were in a Florida work-related accident involving electricity. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and never charge you unless we win your case.
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