Eliminating Electrical Fires is Risky Business

5/19/2018 (Permalink)

Electricians, engineers and other professionals who work directly with electricity have an increased risk of electrical related injuries. Office workers and sales people who indirectly work with electricity may also be exposed to electrical hazards. Without electricity and electrical products, we could not conduct business on a daily basis. Using electricity properly is very important in order to avoid serious safety risks. Working with electricity both directly and indirectly can be very dangerous.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, over the last ten years, more than 30,000 workers have been injured in workplace electrical accidents. Electrical system failures are the cause of electrical fires however more electrical fires are caused by incorrect installed wiring, overloaded circuits, and improperly used extension cords.

If you knew electrically related fatalities and injuries could easily be avoided, what would you do? Take precautions by routinely checking electrical appliances and wiring could help prevent electrical fires hazards. Buy electrical products that are evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory. Unplugging electrical devices that are not in use, never overload extension cords or wall outlets. Make the appropriate adjustments to protect yourself and make safety a huge part in how you do business.

Did you know? 

• Electrical hazards cause more than 300 deaths and 4,000 injuries in the workplace each year.
• Electrical accidents rank sixth among all types of work-related deaths in the US.
• Electrical accidents on the job cause an average of 13 days away from work and nearly one fatality every day.
• The non-fatal workplace incidents that cause the highest number of days away from work include contact with an electrical current or a machine, tool, appliance or light fixture (38 percent) and contact with wiring, transformers or other electrical components (33 percent).
• Nonfatal electrical injury occurs most often to those who work with machines or tools and around electrical wiring other than power lines.
• Over the last 10 years, more than 46,000 workers were injured from on-the-job electrical hazards.

*Facts and figures provided by the Electrical Safety Foundation