NIOSH Publications on Electrical Safety/Electrocutions:
Electrical Safety: Safety and Helath
for Electrical Trades--Student Manual (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2002-123)
January 2002
This student manual is part of a safety and health curriculum for secondary and post-secondary electrical trades courses. The manual is designed to engage the learner in recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hazards associated with electrical work. It was developed through extensive research with vocational instructors, and we are grateful for their valuable contributions.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Preventing Worker Deaths from Uncontrolled Release of Electrical,
Mechanical, and Other Types of Hazardous Energy (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub.
No. 99-110) August 1999.
This Alert describes five fatal incidents in which workers contacted
uncontrolled hazardous energy during installation, maintenance, service,
or repair work. To prevent such deaths, the recommendations in this Alert
should be followed by every employer, manager, supervisor, and worker who
installs, maintains, services, or repairs machines, equipment, processes,
or systems.
Worker Deaths
by Electrocution: A Summary of Surveillance Findings and Investigative
Case Reports (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 98-131) May 1998.
This monograph summarizes surveillance data and investigative reports
of fatal incidents involving workers who came into contact with electrical
current. The surveillance data were derived from the
National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) surveillance system
maintained by NIOSH. The NTOF data are based on death certificates
of workers 16 years or older who died from a traumatic injury in the
workplace. The fatality investigations were conducted as part of the NIOSH
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program.
NIOSH Alert: Request for Assistance in
Preventing Electrocutions of Crane Operators and Crew Members Working
Near Overhead Power Lines (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 95-108) August
1993.
This Alert describes five cases (six electrocutions) that resulted
from the hazards of operating cranes near overhead power lines and
makes recommendations for preventing similar incidents. The Alert
updates a previous NIOSH Alert published in July 1985 [NIOSH 1985].
NIOSH Alert: Request for Assistance in
Preventing Injuries and Deaths from Metal-Reinforced Hydraulic Hoses
(DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 93-105) May 1993.
This publication emphasizes the hazards from the use of metal-reinforced
hydraulic hoses and aerial bucket trucks near energized power lines.
Reports indicate that metal-reinforced hydraulic hoses may rupture
and cause fires if they contact energized power lines. Electric
current flowing through the metal reinforcement may also create
an electrocution hazard. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) requires the use of non-conducting hydraulic hoses near energized
power lines.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Assistance in Preventing Falls and Electrocutions During Tree
Trimming (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 92-106) August 1992.
This Alert describes eight incidents involving five electrocutions and
three fatal falls of tree trimmers. NIOSH investigations conducted under
the Fatality Assessment Control Evaluation (FACE) program suggest
that many tree trimmers and their employers lack training and knowledge of
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and may be
unaware of the risk posed by inadequate or improper safety procedures and
equipment.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Assistance in Preventing Electrocutions During Work with Scaffolds
Near Overhead Power Lines (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 91-110) August 1991.
This Alert describes 13 deaths that occurred in six separate incidents
when workers erected or moved scaffolds that came into contact with energized,
overhead power lines, or when they contacted overhead power lines while using
conductive tools or materials from scaffolds. To prevent such electrocutions,
the recommendations in this Alert should be followed where scaffolds and
conductive tools or materials are used near overhead power lines.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Assistance in Preventing Electrocutions of Workers Using Portable
Metal Ladders Near Overhead Power Lines (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 89-110)
July 1989.
This Alert describes six deaths that occurred because portable aluminum
ladders, which conduct electrical current, came in contact with energized
overhead power lines. If nonconductive ladders had been used instead, or if
safe working clearances had been maintained, these deaths might have been
prevented.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Assistance in Preventing Electrocutions by Undetected Feedback
Electrical Energy Present in Power Lines (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 88-104)
December 1987.
This Alert describes two cases of workers who died as a result
of feedback electrical energy, which is one cause of occupational
electrocutions. Additional case reports are referenced whose circumstances
are almost identical to those described. Evaluation of these cases
identified three major areas of concern to prevent future incidents:
(1) training in proper electrical procedures, (2) verification that
power lines are de-energized and properly grounded before work is
performed on them, and (3) detection of feedback electrical energy.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Assistance in Preventing Fatalities of Workers Who Contact Electrical
Energy (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 87-103) December 1986.
This Alert describes recommendations that can be used to help save the
lives of workers who contact electrical energy. Recent incidents have shown
that electrocution victims can be revived if immediate cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillation is provided. While immediate
defibrillation would be ideal, CPR given within approximately 4 minutes of
the electrocution, followed by advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) measures
within approximately 8 minutes, can be lifesaving.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Assistance in Preventing Electrocutions Due to Damaged Receptacles
and Connectors (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 87-100) October 1986.
This Alert presents information on two fatal electrocutions that
occurred as a result of using damaged receptacles and connectors.
The investigations indicate that periodic inspection, recognition of
hazards, and proper use of receptacles and connectors, and prompt repair
of damaged connectors and receptacles, could prevent such incidents.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Assistance in Preventing Grain Auger Electrocutions (DHHS (NIOSH)
Pub. No. 86-119) July 1986.
This Alert describes two separate incidents that occurred while
moving metal grain augers which resulted in five fatalities. The
grain auger is an essential piece of farm equipment which is used
to transfer grain from one location to another. However, every year
electrocutions occur when this piece of equipment is improperly
moved in the elevated position and it comes into contact with high
voltage power lines.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Assistance in Preventing Electrocutions from Contact Between
Cranes and Power Lines (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 85-111) July 1985.
This Alert presents information on five cases which resulted in six
fatal injuries involving crane-related electrocutions. NIOSH's findings
concluded that full compliance with relevant OSHA standards and full use of
the CSA-Ontario work practices would have prevented each fatality.
NIOSH Alert: Request
for Assistance in Preventing Electrocutions of Workers in Fast Food
Restaurants (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 85-104) December 1984.
This Alert includes one case of an accidental electrocution in a fast
food restaurant. Electrical hazards in the kitchens of commercial
restaurants are particular concern because of the variety of electrical
appliances in use. NIOSH recommends that all workers, when hired, be
made aware of electrical hazards and of safe work practices to be followed to
avoid these hazards.
Fatality Investigation Reports
(conducted under the FACE Program)
One of the initial emphasis areas for the FACE fatality investigation
program was electrical-related fatality. Since the inception of the FACE
program in 1982, hundreds of fatal incidents involving electrocutions have
been investigated by NIOSH and State investigators. This link provides a
list of those cases which in turn links to the full-text reports on the
FACEWeb.
Other pages of interest:
National Electrical Safety Foundation
National Fire Protection Agency
National Safety Council
OSHA
Technical Link for Electrical Safety
OSHA Technical Link for Electrical Safety in the Construction Industry
Touchstone Energy's Electrical Safety and Home and Work
Underwriter Laboratories
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
|