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Document ID (ISN)102511
CIS number 03-1858
ISSN - Serial title 0271-3586 - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Year 2003
Convention or series no.
Author(s) McCann M., Hunting K.L., Murawski J., Chowdhury R., Welch L.
Title Causes of electrical deaths and injuries among construction workers
Bibliographic information Apr. 2003, Vol.43, No.4, p.398-406. Illus. 21 ref.
Abstract This study evaluates electrical deaths and injuries to construction workers based on two sources of data: 1,019 electrical deaths identified by the US Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries for the years 1992 to 1998, and 61 electrical injuries identified between November 1, 1990 and December 31, 1998 from a George Washington University Hospital Emergency Department database. Contact with "live" electrical wiring, equipment and light fixtures was the main cause of electrical deaths and injuries among electrical workers, followed by contact with overhead power lines. Among non-electrical workers, contact with overhead power lines was the major cause of death. Other causes included contact with energized metal objects, machinery, power tools and portable lights. Adoption of a lockout/tagout standard for construction and training for non-electrical workers in basic electrical safety would reduce the risk of electrical deaths and injuries in the construction industry.
Descriptors (primary) occupational accidents; injuries; risk factors; causes of accidents; electricity; construction industry; fatalities; electrical accidents
Descriptors (secondary) interlock protection; lighting; analysis of accident causes; USA; electric tools; work on electrical equipment; overhead electric lines; prevention of access; standard; safety training in industry; live work
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceUSA
Subject(s) Construction industry
Broad subject area(s) Electrical safety
Browse category(ies) Construction industry and civil engineering
Electricity