Most people understand that construction is a relatively dangerous profession. Workers do their jobs at a significant elevation much of the time and handle dangerous equipment. Falls, struck-by incidents, trenching cave-ins and even chemical exposure are all concerns for those who work in construction depending on their specialization.
Many construction workers also have job risks related to electricity. Federal construction worker injury data indicates that electrical incidents are among the top causes of construction worker deaths. Electricity can also cause serious worker injuries. There are at least three common ways in which electricity could lead to a worker getting hurt on the job.
Electrocution or burns
The most straightforward way for electricity to cause a construction site injury involves a worker suffering an electrical shock or burns because of direct contact with the electrical supply. Frayed wires and shorts can increase the risk of such incidents.
Temporary supply issues
Workers typically need electrical supply at a construction site. Electricity provides them with lights and heat, as well as the power they need to operate certain tools. Temporary electrical supply can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. Power cords can present tripping hazards, and generators can hurt workers if they malfunction.
Dropped items
Electricity can harm someone who does not directly contact it. If a worker at a higher elevation shocks themselves while working on a construction project, they might drop their tools or the materials they needed to install. Those falling objects could strike a worker below, causing serious injuries.
These and other risk factors contribute to electricity being one of the biggest dangers at a construction site. Filing a workers’ compensation claim is a reasonable reaction to an electricity-related injury incurred while working in construction.