What’s wrong with this picture?

You don’t have to be an electrical engineer to recognize that it’s not a great idea to repair electrical equipment with one’s feet immersed in a puddle. It’s just too bad the gentleman in the photo didn’t get the memo.

The Moral: To avoid getting electrocuted, workers should perform electrical work only in dry locations.

What’s at Stake

Electrocution Deaths By the Numbers

Maybe the worker in the picture wouldn’t have parked himself in that puddle if he had been aware of these numbers about electrocution:

• 411 The average number of U.S. workers electrocuted each year

• 5 Electrocution is the fifth leading cause of U.S. workplace deaths

• 7 Seven out of 100 U.S. workers killed on the job are electrocuted

• 2 Electrocution is the second most common cause of deaths on construction sites

• 3 The 3 most common electrocution victims are workers in the electrical trades, construction and manufacturing

What is Electrocution?

How It Kills You

Electrocution is a fatal injury caused by absorption of too much electrical shock. It can happen to you at work if you touch a live wire or are otherwise exposed to shock strong enough to stop your heart.

Why Workers Get Electrocuted

5 Most Common Causes

Most workplace electrocutions happen for 1 or more of the following 5 reasons:

1. There were no electrical safe work procedures at the workplace
2. The victim had no or the wrong kind of PPE (personal protective equipment)
3. Lockout/Tagout procedures either didn’t exist or weren’t followed
4. The victim wasn’t adequately trained in electrical hazards
5. The victim’s supervisor wasn’t adequately trained in electrical hazards

Don’t Let This Happen to You!

10 Electrical Safety Do’s & Don’ts

• DO inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure they’re in good shape
• DON’T run extension cords across doorways or under carpets
• DO avoid overloading electrical outlets
• DON’T work on electrical equipment or installations while standing in water
• DO replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords
• DON’T repair electric cords or equipment unless you’re qualified and authorized to do so
• DO use ground-fault circuit interrupters when working in damp locations
• DON’T touch fallen power lines
• DO call the electric company immediately to report downed lines
• DON’T get any closer than 10 feet away from overhead power lines while working outdoors