Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Informe Nfpa Accidentes 2020
Informe Nfpa Accidentes 2020
Fatal work injuries caused by exposure to As the data indicate, work-related electrical fatalities have followed a
distinct downward trend over the 30-year period covered by the
electricity
CFOI. This is an encouraging indication of advances in injury
Data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) prevention efforts.
indicates that 126 workers died due to exposure to electricity in
It should be noted that changes in injury totals can also reflect
2020. This is a 24 percent decrease over the 166 such injuries
increases or decreases in the size of the workforce, and the dramatic
reported in 2019 and the fewest annual number of fatal electrical
drop in fatal work electrical injuries in 2020 was likely influenced in
work injuries in nearly 30 years of data collection by the CFOI. Fatal
part by the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact on jobs.
electrical injuries over the history of CFOI data collection since 1992
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that following the
are shown in Figure 1.
onset of the pandemic, the U.S. unemployment rate more than tripled
Figure 1. Fatal Work Injuries Caused by Exposure to Electricity, between the fourth quarter of 2019 and the second quarter of 2020,
1992–2020. rising from 3.6 percent to 13.0 percent. Although the BLS noted that
400 the labor market experienced a slow recovery late in the second
334
348 348
334
quarter of the year, unemployment remained at 8.8 percent in the
325
298
third quarter and 6.7 percent in the fourth quarter. The latter numbers
289
300 281 280 285 reflect an increase in the number of unemployed persons by 4.9
256 254
246 251 250 million at the end of 2020 over the 2019 figure.
212
192
200 170 174 166
General victim information
164 156 154 154 160
141 134 136
126 The vast majority (99 percent) of workers who were fatally injured
100
through exposure to electricity were male. One-third (33 percent) of
the victims were 25 to 34 years of age and one-fifth (21 percent)
were 35 to 44 years old. Seventeen percent of victims in 2020 were
0 55 to 64 years old, up from 13 percent in 2019. Nine of the fatally
1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 injured workers (7 percent of total) were 18 to 19 years of age.
Figure 2. Fatal Work Injuries Caused by Exposure to Electricity Figure 3. Fatal Work Injuries Caused by Exposure to Electricity
by Age of Victim, 2020. by Race or Ethnicity, 2020.
40%
0%
20 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55 - 64 Other ages
years years years years years
Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.
Figure 4. Fatal Work Injuries Caused by Exposure to Electricity Figure 5. Fatal Work Injuries Caused by Exposure to Electricity
by Employee Status, 2020. by Exposure Type, 2020.
90%
82%
80%
70% Other or
unknown
60% 4%
50%
Indirect
40% exposure
Direct
30% 40%
exposure
18% 56%
20%
10%
0%
Wage and salary workers Self-employed
Type of exposure
• A worker employed by a residential remodeling company was
Almost three in five injuries (56 percent) were caused by direct removing ducting from the attic of a house. He was electrocuted
exposure to electricity; this is defined as injuries caused by direct when he made contact with an energized electrical junction box
contact with the power source, such as direct contact with a live located in the attic. For more information, see
electrical wire or when the victim is struck by an electrical arc. osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=130219.015.
Two in five fatal injuries resulted from indirect exposure to
• An employee was trimming the branches of a tulip poplar tree
electricity; this includes incidents involving contact with electrical
with a metallic pole saw when the saw apparently came into
energy through some form of conductive material, such as when
contact with a primary power line. The employee was killed.
electricity is conducted through water or when an uninsulated ladder
For more information, see
touches a power line.
osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=126506.015.
the employee screamed and fell backward into the water due to • Two workers were installing snow stops along the roof of a residence.
electrical shock with the drill in hand. He was killed by One of the workers was using a 24-foot (7.3 meters) aluminum extension
electrocution. For more information, see ladder extended to approximately 18 feet (5.5 meters). As he maneuvered
osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=124413.015. the ladder from one side of the roof to the other, the ladder came into
contact with low-hanging, energized power lines and the employee was
Incident location electrocuted. Emergency services transported the employee to the
Approximately one-third (33 percent) of the fatal electrical injuries hospital, where he was declared dead. For more information, see
occurred at a private residence, while another 31 percent took place osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=131991.015.
at an industrial site. Other injury locations included streets or
highways (14 percent), public buildings (8 percent), and farms • An electrician employed by an electrical services company was working
(7 percent). on an electrical problem at a one-story residential structure. He was
troubleshooting a 300-watt electrical transformer when he came into
Figure 6. Fatal Work Injuries Caused by Exposure to Electricity
by Incident Location, 2020.
contact with a live wire and was killed by electrocution.
For more information, see
Private residence 33%
osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=127466.015.
Industrial place & premises 31% • An employee was tasked with connecting temporary electrical
power to two ventilation fans on the roof of a commercial
Street and highway 13%
structure. The employee and four electrical subcontractors cut a
Public building 8% hole in the shroud of the second ventilation fan to pass the
electrical whip for the drive motor through it. The employee was
Farm 7%
beginning the process of terminating the 480-volt temporary
Other location 7% electrical supply to the motor whip when he contacted a live
exposed conductor or the supply wiring and was electrocuted.
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% For more information, see
Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=129243.01..5.
However, there was no change in injury rates in 2020 among Figure 7. Fatal Work Injuries Caused by Exposure to Electricity
building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations and by Worker Activity, 2020.
transportation and material moving occupations. This indicates that
any improvements did not apply to all occupational groups. Other activities 6%
Table 2. Rates of Fatal Work Injury Caused by Exposure to Electricity Materials handling
per 100,000 Employees by Occupation, 2019 and 2020 operations 8%
Using or
Occupation 2019 2020 operating Constructing,
tools, repairing,
Construction and extraction 0.9 0.7 cleaning
machinery
22% 64%
Installation, maintenance, and repair 0.7 0.5
Source: Fatal injury rates were calculated by the author. CFOI data were used for fatal injuries Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.
by occupational group. Denominator data for number of employees by occupation are derived
from Labor Force Statistics, Table 11, from the Current Population Survey for the years 2019
and 2020. Figure 8. Fatal Work Injuries Caused by Exposure to Electricity
by Worker Activity, 2019 and 2020.
70% 64%
Worker activity
60%
The vast majority (64 percent) of the workers that were fatally 52%
contact with electricity, as shown in Figure 6. A little more than one- 40% 2019 2020
fifth of the workers (22 percent) were using or operating tools or 30%
28%
22%
machinery at the time of injury, while eight percent were engaged in
20%
material handling operations. 10% 10%
8%
10% 6%
A comparison with fatal electrical injuries in 2019 shows that a
greater share of injury incidents in 2020 occurred while workers 0%
Constructing, Using or operating Materials handling Other activities
were engaged in constructing, repairing, or cleaning activities; a repairing, cleaning tools, machinery operations
smaller share of incidents occurred while workers were using or
operating tools or machinery (Figure 7). Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.
NFPA Research • pg. 7
• An employee was operating a grinder when he attempted to faulty equipment, missing ground prongs, or other factors. It is
reposition the grinder to continue working. The power cord important for workers in any industry or occupational groups to be
became entangled around a wheel as he attempted to move the able to recognize electrical hazards in their work environments. It is
grinder, which pulled the cord tight against the machine and cut also important for employers to take appropriate steps to protect
the power word. The exposed live wires then make contact with employees from electrical injures.
the frame of the grinder and energized it with 3-phase/460 volts. Research into electrical deaths in the construction industry has shown
At some point, the employee’s legs made contact with the that many fatalities occurred while victims were working on or around
energized frame and was killed by electrocution. equipment or wiring that was needlessly energized and emphasized
For more information, see that the deaths could have been prevented by turning off the power or
https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id using appropriate personal protective equipment (1). The research
=129252.015.
also concluded that fatal injuries involving power tools, portable
• A worker employed by a pumping company was operating an lighting, and extension cords could be prevented through inspections.
excavator to drill a point well at a construction site. The excavator Studies of work-related electrocutions have consistently found that
became energized by an overhead power line. The employee many of the deaths were caused by contact with overhead powerlines
sustained an electric shock and succumbed to his injuries after being (2, 3). In addition to fatal incidents involving tree trimmers making
transported to the hospital. For more information, see contact with powerlines with ladders or poles (4), cranes and booms
osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=125427.015. are often involved in fatal powerline incidents (2). Investigations of
tree trimmer electrocutions have found contributing factors that
• An employee and coworker were painting a barn using an include failures to perform a hazard analysis, an absence of safety
extension ladder to reach. At some point, the employee attempted policies or procedures, and incidents where work was performed in
to move the ladder alone while the coworker went to get more close proximity to powerlines (4, 5).
paint. While moving the ladder, it made contact with a live
Moving forward, prevention efforts should address the specific
overhead power line. The employee was killed by the
hazards that workers are likely to face in their work environments
electrocution from the power line. For more information, see
and job tasks. The data on fatal injuries and fatality investigation
osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=129084.015.
reports indicate that many electrical injury victims are unlikely to be
Worker safety and electrical hazards familiar with electrical hazards or to have received electrical safety
training. It is important to recognize the need for greater awareness
Electrical hazards are a potential source of injury to workers in a
about electrical hazards among workers not explicitly engaged in
wide array of work settings. Occupations that routinely involve
electrical work. Also, it is important to reinforce safe work practices
electrical work are the most obvious at-risk populations for electrical
and adherence to electrical safety procedures for workers routinely
injury, but virtually any environment that utilizes electrical
engaged in electrical work who should already be aware of electrical
equipment—which is to say, most work settings—may involve
hazards.
exposure to hazardous electrical energy, whether due to frayed cords,
NFPA Research • pg. 8
General requirements for prevention • Identifying the potential for damaged tree limbs to fall and
impact powerline integrity.
Basic workplace electrical safety requirements include de-energizing
• Using nonconductive ladders and insulated poles.
equipment before undertaking installation and repair work, ensuring
• Checking for powerlines before raising or extending equipment.
the provision and use of appropriate tools and personal protective
Be aware of wind conditions and possible changes that could
equipment, making certain that equipment is properly grounded, and
influence the adequacy of distances.
inspecting and maintaining electrical equipment and tools. In light of
• Providing workers with proper personal protective equipment,
the high share of electrical fatalities among workers of Hispanic
including gloves and sleeves designed for electrical work and
origin, it is also necessary to ensure that safety training and materials
non-conductive hard hats.
are fully understandable to workers and are provided in native
languages when necessary. Additional resources should be consulted for more detailed
information on workplace electrical safety requirements and
Workers who perform work in the presence of electrical hazards,
guidelines for specific job tasks. These include:
such as plumbers and HVAC installation and repair technicians,
should be trained in hazard recognition and best practices. These best NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, sets
practices can include identifying the location of electrical energy out requirements for safe work practices to protect workers from
sources before beginning work, maintaining safe distances from the exposure to electrical hazards. Information and access to the
hazard, and ensuring that the power is shut off while work is document is available at NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety
underway. Plugs for power tools and machinery should be in the Workplace®.
disconnected before undertaking inspections or repairs. Lockout
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a
devices should be placed on electrical circuits along with tags to
variety of information and guidance on electrical safety, as well as links
warn that the circuits must remain off.
to electrical safety resources, at cdc.gov/niosh/topics/electrical/.
Tree trimmers, landscape workers, roofers, machine operators, and
OSHA has information on electrical safety standards, hazard
other outdoor workers who are at risk of contact with powerlines
recognition, training opportunities, and solutions, and other
should receive powerline safety training and adhere to basic safety
information at osha.gov/SLTC/electrical/.
practices. This includes:
• Surveying the work area before beginning work to identify the
Technical notes
location of powerlines. Fatal electrical injury rates by occupation were calculated using
• Contacting the electrical utility company before beginning work. employment denominators for annual civilian labor force totals
• Maintaining safe distances from all powerlines, beginning with available through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Force Statistics Current
distances of at least 10 feet from powerlines with voltages up 50 Population Survey, available at: bls.gov/cps/cpsaat01.htm.
kV and greater distances for higher voltage.
References
1. Michael McMann, Katherine L. Hunting, Judith Murawski, Risanna
Chowdhury, Laura Welch. “Causes of Electrical Deaths and Injuries
Among Construction Workers” American Journal of Industrial
Medicine (2003) 43:398–406.
2. AJ Taylor, G McGwin Jr., F Valent, LW Rue III. “Fatal
occupational electrocutions in the United States” Injury Prevention
(2002) 8:306–312.
3. J Still, H Orlet. “Electrocution due to contact of industrial
equipment with power lines” Burns (1997) 23:573–5.
4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Electricity and
Tree Care Work: A Deadly Combination.” Accessed April 2, 2022,
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3861.pdf
5. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. “Two tree
trimmers die when they are electrocuted while pollinating date
palms.” Accessed April 2, 2022,
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/ca/16CA003.html
Table 5. Fatal Occupational Injuries Caused by Exposure to Table 7. Fatal Occupational Injuries Caused
Electricity by Exposure, 2020 by Exposure to Electricity by Occupation, 2020