Three Types Of Electrical Accidents On Construction Sites

Because construction work often includes starting from the ground up to build something new, there are hazards present that can jeopardize the health and safety of all workers on the job. As construction moves along, there are many new things added including electrical wiring and electrical boxes. For this reason, electrical accidents are commonplace in the construction industry. However, when electricity goes wrong, construction workers are often killed instantly.

According to OSHA, more than 1,500 construction workers were killed within a ten-year time frame in accidents caused by electrocution. Electrical accidents are the third leading cause of fatalities amongst construction workers and nearly half of the deaths caused by electrocution were on the sites of construction jobs.

There are typically three different categories for electrical accidents on construction site. The most frequent type is contact with overhead power lines. The second type occurs when workers come into contact with transformers and live wires. The third most common type occurs when contact is made with electrical currents while working with tools, machinery, and other appliances.

Outside of the fatalities related to construction work and electrocution, there are also long-lasting effects to those who suffer electrocution incidents that do not prove fatal. Construction workers coming into contact with electricity while on the job site have been seriously injured with electrical burns, heart stoppage, brain damage, and internal burns. In many cases it requires the treatment of specialists and long-term hospitalization or rehabilitation services for the patient.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an electrical construction-related accident, you need to ensure your rights are protected. Contact our offices for a confidential evaluation of your work-related injury by calling toll free at (914) 361 – 4888 or using our online contact form.