Michigan initiative aims to reduce workplace electrocutions

More than 350 workers nationally were electrocuted in 2008-09, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The BLS identifies the following as the leading occupations experiencing electrocutions:

Construction and extraction.
Installation, maintenance, and repair.
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance.
Production.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an initiative to eliminate fatalities caused by electrical hazards.

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MIOSHA identifies some common reasons people suffer these injuries or fatalities as body contact with overhead power lines, faulty insulation, improper grounding of equipment, loose connections or defective parts, and ground faults in equipment.

"The best way to eliminate the chance of any electrical shock hazard, including arc flash, is to de-energize electrical equipment when interacting with it, i.e. locking out the power source prior to working on energized equipment," MIOSHA advises. It also offers the following suggestions:

Look for overhead power lines and buried power line indicators. Post warning signs. Contact utilities for buried power line locations.
Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.
Unless you know otherwise, assume that overhead lines are energized.
De-energize and ground lines when working near them. Also, guard or insulate the lines.
Use non-conductive wood or fiberglass ladders when working near power lines.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

April 11, 2011

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