Hazards Of the Job: The 5 Most Dangerous Aspects Of Being An Electrician
Photo: Israel Palacio / Unsplash
Electricians have plenty of training and health and safety awareness. They also work as apprentices for years to build their skills in a way that protects them from being hurt or hurting others at work. However, there will always be risks when you work with a powerful energy source.
A policy providing workers compensation for electricians is a must. However, it’s also helpful to review the dangers and analyse the latest industry statistics. We’ve done precisely that below, covering the latest stats and facts about the hazards of being an electrician in 2023.
1.Electrocution
Electrocution is the most obvious danger faced by electricians. However, many people are unaware of the breadth of consequences that can result from an electric shock. In America, there were 1,201 electrical fatalities in the workplace between 2011 and 2021. Of these 1,201 deaths, 31% occurred in electrically related occupations.
While loss of life is obviously the worst-case outcome, electric shocks can also cause:
Breathing difficulties;
Intense muscle contractions;
Seizures;
Heart attack;
Heart rhythm changes;
Loss of consciousness;
Severe burns.
2.Falls
One of the most dangerous aspects of being an electrician is falling and getting injured. Whether you’re on a small step ladder or working at significant heights, you’ll likely spend a lot of time off the ground as an electrician.
Most people assume that there’s greater danger involved in overhead line work that occurs at great heights. However, this isn’t always the case. In 2020, nearly 50,000 workers were injured from a fall to a lower level, and sadly, 650 of those workers died from their injuries. Risk reduction and safety awareness regarding falls are vital steps in minimizing your chance of incurring this type of injury as an electrician.
3.Fire
Wiring and other electrical equipment is responsible for nearly three-quarters of home fires. Fires can arise from all sorts of electrical conditions, including “arcing,” where electricity jumps from one connection to another.
Arcing is a pervasive risk, causing injuries to electricians through the quick-fire spread it creates. When arcing occurs near flammable materials, fire can spread quickly, and electricians in that space can fall victim to injuries before they’ve had a chance to escape to safety.
4. Exposure to Infectious Diseases
Electricians go into parts of buildings that many of us don’t. Crevices, lofts, space between the walls – they access areas that have not seen the light of day for a long time. Because of this, they can be exposed to lots of dust and debris in the air, including hazardous materials that impact air quality when disturbed, like asbestos.
Additionally, electricians may be exposed to bird and bat droppings. Though that may seem innocuous, the exposure puts electricians at risk of contracting histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, psittacosis, and gastrointestinal illnesses.
5. Mental Health Problems
This may be a big surprise, but one of the most significant workplace risks for an electrician is mental health problems. In the UK, for example, over 80% of electricians suffer from mental health problems related to their line of work. It’s a huge issue that can cause a person to struggle in their job and at home. It can lead to prolonged time off work, which has a host of financial implications that only add to the stress.
Ultimately, the life of an electrician comes with various risks, some of which don’t relate to electricity at all. The more awareness, health and safety training, and risk prevention actions taken, the safer you will be as an electrician.