Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned pro or novice in the electrical construction industry, it helps to remind yourself of the dangers you will encounter when working in an electrical environment. 

Anyone can be exposed to electrical hazards, especially if a job requires hot work to meet deadlines and not disrupt normal business flow. The potential for electrical shock increases with the various exposures we face, whether from a cluttered work area, the pace of work or the weather.

Risks with electricity

As a source of energy, electricity is often used without much thought about its hazards. Because electricity is a staple of modern life, it can be easy to become complacent while working around it. It’s what we do. 

We are trained to protect ourselves from the dangers of electricity, but all too often that training is set aside for a shortcut that offers an easier way to accomplish the end goal. As a result, an average of one worker is electrocuted on the job every day, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Risk is higher at work because many jobs involve electric power tools. Coming in contact with an electrical voltage can cause current to flow through the body, resulting in electric shock and burns. Serious injury or even death may occur. 

When looking at electrical shock, we need to remember that electricity seeks a path to ground. When current enters your body, it will travel to ground, which is why in a contact accident, the person will exhibit wounds in two different parts of their body (e.g., enter at the hand and exit through the foot). 

Incidents affect lives

We need to understand that the dangers and potential risks of working around electricity are not limited to electrical contacts. Obviously, you aren’t going to stand in a puddle of water when working with electricity, but you should consider that wet clothing, high humidity and perspiration increase your chances of being electrocuted. Of course, there is always a chance of electrocution, even in dry conditions. 

You can even receive a shock when you are not in contact with an electrical ground. For example, contact with both live wires of a 240V cable will deliver a shock. (This type of shock can occur because one live wire may be at +120V while the other is at –120V during an alternating current cycle—a difference of 240V.)

You can also receive a shock from electrical components that are not grounded properly. Even contact with another person receiving an electrical shock may cause you to be shocked. The potential is everywhere and awareness is everything.

I won’t explain how the body reacts to the various voltages you may come in contact with. Suffice it to say that any voltage can be fatal or have a devastating effect on physical well-^­being.

Damage to the body

We also need to remember that a severe shock can cause much more damage to the body than is visible. A person may suffer internal bleeding and destruction of tissues, nerves and muscles, and sometimes these hidden injuries result in a slow health decline. An electrical shock/contact will burn from the inside out. That is why when you initially see a contact burn area, it may not look as severe as you might expect, but it will gradually become more serious as internal tissue continues to deteriorate.

I can’t list all the dangers of electricity in this short column. The most important objective here is to once again remind ourselves that the force we work with can have a devastating effect on our lives if we don’t give it the necessary respect.

Many years ago, a former utility employee spoke at a safety committee meeting I was conducting. His name was Randy Fellhoelter, and the title of his presentation was “I Felt Comfortable.” Look it up, but only if you want to see the impact of a devastating electrical injury. It’s been over 30 years since I heard that presentation, and its effect on me was so profound I can remember it as if it were yesterday. 

His message was clear—never take electrical safety for granted. If the worst happens and you have a severe injury due to an unforeseen incident, it will affect more people than just you.