An electrical accident on the job can be instantly fatal or it can cause serious injuries. It’s a constant danger for construction workers on both commercial and residential jobs. All it takes is one small mistake for a serious event.
To help reduce the odds of such an error, let’s take a look at some of the reasons for electrical accidents:
- The worker does not have enough information. He or she does not know that the danger exists until the accident takes places.
- There is a breakdown in communication. For instance, one worker thinks that a wire is live and another worker thinks that it isn’t, but they don’t communicate and discover the discrepancy.
- Workers intentionally work on live lines. This is sometimes done simply to save time, despite the risk. It may even be done by experienced workers who think they can handle it.
- The worker does not have the proper training. When people do not understand the risks or what they’re supposed to do before being put on a job, they make mistakes.
- The employer does not properly control and supervise the workers on the job. Many times, an experienced supervisor can spot mistakes and put an end to unsafe behavior before an accident.
- The workplace does not have proper rules and procedures in place. No one has really thought through the safety side of things — until after the accident, that is.
These are just a few examples, but they help show you why accidents occur and how supervisors and other workers can put you in danger. If you do get hurt on the job, you need to know what rights you have to workers’ compensation.
