Electrical-related accidents aren't the most frequent workplace injury, but they do tend to be more severe--leading to larger workers' compensation claims and workplace deaths.
According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, more than 300,000 workers have been injured in electrical-related accidents in the workplace over the past decade. Accidents include electrocution, shock, and arch flash and blast. Arc flash occurs when an electrical current passes through air between ungrounded conductors, or ungrounded and grounded conductors. Arc flash can reach temperatures of 35,000 degrees and are powerful enough to kill or cause severe burns to individuals as far as 10 feet away. Workers' comp costs for arc flash accidents can reach millions of dollars.
Often protecting workers from electrical-related accidents can be as simple as turning off electrical installations and equipment before beginning work, and using personal protective equipment when power cannot be shut off.
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