Electricity is a safe and quiet method of energy transmission. However, this benign source of energy when accidentally comes into contact with conducting materials like people, animals, or metals can release energy that can cause harm.Â
Correctly speaking, electricity is a risk as it has the probability to produce harm. There are potential electrical hazards within any home, workplace, or business. But if properly managed the possibility of harm can be minimized.  Â
This blog post will explain some of the major electrical hazards that everyone must be informed of to ensure they are safe in an event of an electrical hazard.
General Electrical Hazards Statistics
There are nearly 1,000 deaths every year as a result of electrical injuries in the United States. Out of these accidents, almost 400 occur as a result of high-voltage electrical injuries. There are also 30,000 electrical shock incidents each year resulting in non-fatal injuries.
Approximately 5% of all burn unit admissions in the US occur as a result of electrical incidents. In adults, such injuries occur as a result of occupational work activities and are considered the fourth leading cause of work-related deaths and injuries.
Major Electrical Hazards to Keep in Mind
Below are some of the common hazards that can cause great harm:
1. Working on Live Circuits
There are certain circumstances when working around live wires or circuits is unpreventable. A worker conducting such work can take a few minutes to analyze it and so will be able to safety steps to mitigate any electrical hazard.
Accidents do occur, even temporary contact with the circuit or wire can cause serious injury if not cause severe health issues. The workers who take shortcuts end up hurting their selves.Â
2. Do It Yourself Wiring
This is one of the most prominent hazards that some people try to attempt. Never try to fix or work around electrical wires on your own. It is advised to always seek the help of professional and trained people who know how to get the work done. Or else, you will end up losing your life or hurting real bad.
3. Forgetting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The right personal protective equipment is part of safety procedures for any type of work, and electrical work is no exception. Depending on the nature of the work, employers must provide their staff with everything they need to conduct the work safely. This may include rubber insulating gloves, face shields, or special helmets.Â
4. Improper GroundingÂ
Improper grounding wires are also a major hazard to cause potential health risks to the individuals working around them. A properly grounded circuit provides a high level of safety. It directs the flow away from the human body by giving it a faster route to earth ground.Â
Therefore, it is advised that responsible persons must inspect any such issues to avoid getting the situation worse because a little laziness can create big problems for everyone.
5. Water
Water conducts electricity, but many people still get shocks or severe injuries. When working around electrical appliances or the work involves the use of electricity, workers must pay close attention to their surroundings and avoid the wet areas that can result in harmful accidents.
6. CarelessnessÂ
Everyone uses electrical appliances in their day-to-day chores. Often individuals do not pay close attention or care when using such appliances. One small mistake can result in severe injury or a life-long disease that a person cannot do anything with.Â
Therefore, one must pay close attention while working with any kind of electronic appliance so that the hazard may be minimized as much as could be.Â
Ways to Prevent Electrical Hazard AccidentsÂ
Below are some effective ways to prevent such electrical hazards:
1. Conduct Electrical Risk Assessment
One of the most effective ways to prevent electrical hazards is by undertaking adequate risk assessments for such tasks. A suitable electrical risk assessment will ensure that the workers undertaking a task is free from the risk. And if there is any risk identified in the risk assessment process, it is successfully taken into consideration to eradicate it.
2. Train & Equip the Staff
When it comes to preventing electrical hazards, employers providing training to their personnel is the most effective strategy. There are numerous courses that they can opt for to train and equip the workers. Some of the common yet important to consider at workplaces are electrical safety training, essentials of electricity risk assessment, PAT testing course, electrical safety principles for safe maintenance, and many others.
3. Good Electrical Safety Management/HousekeepingÂ
Safe places start with electrical systems that have been designed adequately. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires responsible persons to take appropriate and vital steps to identify, control, and mitigate electrical hazards from their workplaces. This can be achieved only if they have good electrical safety management implemented in their work environment.Â
Bottom Line
This blog post is a thorough explanation of some common electrical hazards that if not controlled on time can result in a severe health hazard. This leads to the loss of life and can pose severe implications for a business. Therefore, those responsible for protecting the health and safety of their staff must have proper control measures to eradicate this health hazard from their workplaces.
