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This article examined 1004 U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cases of electrical injury that occurred between January 1, 2011 and June 28, 2017. The data are examined to determine which occupations experienced fatal electrical injury. Characteristics such as the degree of injury, the nature of injury, and task assignments at the time of injury were determined. There were 705 fatal electrical injuries from all causes. There were 17 occupations with ten or more fatal cases, led by, in order, “electricians,” “construction laborers,” “laborers, except construction,” “electrical power installers and repairers,” and “tree trimming occupations.” In addition, the data are also examined to isolate fatal overhead power line injuries. Overhead power lines were involved in 246 fatal electrical shock injuries to workers and ten burn injuries. Occupations most affected by overhead power line injuries were studied in greater detail. Just six occupations account for more than one half of all those fatally injured by electricity in overhead power line cases. Occupations with ten or more fatal overhead power line injuries include, in order, “construction laborer,” “laborers, except construction,” “tree trimming occupations,” “electrical power installers and repairers,” “roofers,” and “truck drivers, heavy.” Several identified occupations with unexpected electrical exposure, such as “roofers,” “tree trimmers,” and “truck drivers,” are not usually associated with electrically hazardous jobs. Erecting, moving, and dismantling scaffolding, the use of conductive ladders, booms, and tag lines, and tree trimming in the vicinity of overhead power lines were common scenarios in which the fatal electrical injuries are studied. Working without deenergizing circuits, working without proper prejob hazard analysis and planning, and working without proper personal protective equipment also were mentioned in the accident narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper updates an earlier report by the authors that studied electrical injuries from 1992 to 1998. The previous information is expanded and supplemented with fatal and nonfatal injury rates and trends through 2002. Injury numbers and rates were used to compare and trend electrical injury experience for various groups and categories. This information allowed identification of at-risk groups that could most benefit from effective electrical safety interventions. The data presented in this paper are derived from the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Survey of Occupational Illnesses and Injuries, and Current Population Survey. Between 1992 and 2002, 3378 workers died from on-the-job electrical injuries. Electricity remained the sixth leading cause of injury-related occupational death. From 1999 to 2002, 4.7% of all occupational deaths were caused by electricity, down from 5.2% in the 1992-1998 time period. The cause of death was listed as electrocution in 99.1% of fatal cases. Contact with overhead power lines was involved in 42% of all on-the-job electrical deaths. The construction industry accounted for 47% of all electrical deaths between 1992 and 2002 but showed overall improvement from 1995 to 2002 by reducing its electrical fatality rate from 2.2 to 1.5 per 100 000 workers. In addition, 46 598 workers were nonfatally injured by electricity. Contact with electric current of machine, tool, appliance, or light fixture and contact with wiring, transformers, or other electrical components accounted for 36% and 34% of nonfatal electrical injuries, respectively. Contact with underground buried power lines was involved with 1% of fatal injuries and 2% of nonfatal injuries. The research of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health aimed at evaluating commercially available overhead power line proximity warning alarms is described. This paper is expected to be the initial step for eventual development of a performance standard for such systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study was conducted to focus future research on the most significant electrical problems in the mining industry. Data from 1926 mine electrical accidents (including 75 fatalities) that occurred between 1990 and 1999 were studied. Coal and metal-nonmetal operator- and contractor-reported data are presented. All data used in this analysis were Mine Safety and Health Administration closeout data, except 1999, which were preliminary data. Electricity was the fourth leading cause of death reported in mining despite being the 14th leading cause of injuries. During the 1990s, one of every 26 mine electrical accidents was fatal. Burns were the leading Nature of Injury in electrical accidents, but were rarely fatal. Electrical shock caused 70 of the 75 electrical fatalities reported. About one-half of mine electrical accidents and fatalities were sustained during electrical maintenance. The injury severity for victims of nonfatal mine electrical injuries does not increase with age in victims 50 years and older, unlike many other types of occupational accidents. High-reaching mobile equipment is involved in about 20% of mine electrical fatalities, indicating that overhead power line hazards need to be addressed. Electrical accident narratives containing the six most frequently mentioned keywords were isolated for further analysis. Technical suggestions for mitigating electrical hazards are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: CFOI and SOII data show that 2,287 U.S. workers died and 32,807 workers sustained days away from work due to electrical shock or electrical burn injuries between 1992 and 1998. Method: The narrative, work activity, job title, source of injury, location, and industry for each fatal electrical accident were examined. A primary causal factor was identified for each fatality. Results: Electrical fatalities were categorized into five major groups. Overall, 44% of electrical fatalities occurred in the construction industry. Contact with overhead power lines caused 41% of all electrical fatalities. Discussion: Electrical shock caused 99% of fatal and 62% of nonfatal electrical accidents. Comprising about 7% of the U.S. workforce, construction workers sustain 44% of electrical fatalities. Power line contact by mobile equipment occurs in many industries and should be the subject of focused research. Other problem areas are identified and opportunities for research are proposed. Impact on Industry: Improvements in electrical safety in one industry often have application in other industries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]