Construction Sites

Because of the nature of construction site work, electrical shock and electrocution accidents are unfortunately a fairly common occurrence in the construction industry. In fact, electrocution is the second leading cause of workplace death for construction workers and the fifth leading cause of death for all occupations in the U.S. That is why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established strict guidelines and safety standards for electrical work on construction sites and other job sites, to safeguard workers and minimize the risk of electrocution accidents. 

When a job site is not up to code, the consequences can be devastating for workers and their loved ones, and employers and third-party contractors have a duty to maintain the proper safety standards and protect their workers from unreasonable harm on construction sites. If they fail to do so and an electrocution accident occurs, they may be liable for any resulting injuries or fatalities. Unfortunately, some employers, third-party contractors, and even other workers cut corners at work in an attempt to save time or money, which can significantly increase the risk of a serious or fatal electrical accident. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there are approximately 400 fatal electrocutions that occur on construction sites every year, not to mention the countless nonfatal injuries caused by accidental contact with electricity, including burns, shocks, and broken bones.

Construction Focus Four

The unfortunate truth is that construction workers put themselves in harm’s way every day, just by doing their jobs. Electrocution is one of the “Focus Four Hazards” on construction sites, the other three of which include falls, caught-in/caught-between, and struck-by accidents. These four types of accidents represent the most common construction site hazards as reported by OSHA, whose responsibility it is to make and enforce rules and regulations regarding workplace health and safety in the U.S. Using the acronym “BE SAFE,” OSHA reminds construction workers that Burns, Electrocution, Shock, Arc flash/arc blast, Fire and Explosions are all electrical hazards workers are exposed to when working around cranes and power lines, in and/or around electrical power sources, or with flammables.

Other Job Sites and Workplaces

Although construction site accidents may be the most high-profile category of job-site electrocution accidents in the U.S., construction workers are far from the only workers at risk for this type of workplace accident. Tragic electrocution accidents can occur anywhere there is an electrical current, most commonly at workplaces where employees handle electricity and wiring or where there is a risk that employees may come in contact with a live power source. In addition to construction workers, some other occupations that present a potential electrical shock or electrocution risk for workers include the following:

• Electricians
• Tree trimmers
• Utility/power line workers
• Crane operators
• Painters
• Roofers
• Engineers
• Carpenters
• Truck drivers
• Employees who work with machinery
• Employees who work in manufacturing

Job-Site Electrocution Accident Cases

The OSHA website lists dozens of accidents involving job-site electrocutions that took place in 2020, all of which were fatalities. One such electrocution accident involved a utility worker in Iowa. The employee worked for an electric power utility and was working on a power line that had been damaged in a storm when he suffered an electric shock and was electrocuted and died. In another fatal electrocution accident in 2020, a tree trimmer cutting a tree limb fell onto electrical wires and was electrocuted. Another case involved an employee working for a gutter cleaning service in New Jersey. The victim was working near an overhead power line and was setting up an aluminum extension ladder when the upper section of the ladder came in contact with a part of the power line. He was electrocuted and died. 

Water Electrocution Accidents

Although drowning is the number one safety risk associated with pools and other bodies of water, it is important to be aware of the fact that electrocution accidents can also occur around backyard pools, public pools, lakes, ponds, and any other swimming area or wet surface that has electricity nearby. Even bad weather could potentially result in serious electrocution injuries if an overhead power line is brought down in a major rainstorm, or if an unexpected thunderstorm strikes while someone is out swimming in a lake. Water and electricity do not mix under any circumstances, and if your loved one is severely injured or killed in a water electrocution accident at a swimming pool, on a boat, or on someone else’s property, you will want to do everything in your power to ensure the at-fault person or party is held accountable for the accident.

Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs

Swimming pools and hot tubs offer a welcome reprieve from the hot stickiness of summer and many people look forward to spending the warm-weather months relaxing poolside at their own home or at a friend’s or neighbor’s house. Unfortunately, accidents involving electricity are common around pools and other bodies of water. To reduce the risk of electrical shock or electrocution, it is important to be aware of the potential electrical hazards that are present any time water and electricity exist in the same place. For instance, you should never touch a radio, speaker, or any other electrical appliance while in a swimming pool or hot tub, no matter how shallow the water may be. You should also never swim in a pool or other body of water located underneath or near overhead power lines. Faulty wiring or improper grounding or bonding on electrical pool equipment, such as pool vacuums, can also generate a dangerous electrical current that can shock or electrocute swimmers. If you or a loved one is injured in an electrocution accident while using another person’s backyard pool or hot tub, and the accident was caused by unreasonably hazardous conditions, poorly maintained power lines, or malfunctioning electrical equipment, you may have a legal claim against the pool owner or a third party for negligence. 

Public Pools

Electrocution accidents can also occur in or near public pools located at community centers, hotels, apartment complexes or other public areas. Unfortunately, patrons at public pools typically have very little control over or knowledge of hidden electrical hazards at the pool that may pose an electrocution risk, such as improperly installed electrical equipment, or electrical wiring, grounding or bonding that has not been adequately inspected or brought up to code. Any failure to ensure a safe swimming environment free of electrical hazards may be considered negligence on the part of the pool owner or operator if an electrocution accident occurs. 

Boating Accidents

Whether you have a friend with a boat or you charter a boat from a charter company, spending the day out on the water can be an exciting opportunity to have fun and sightsee with friends and family. However, there are a number of safety concerns to consider when boating, including the risk of an electrocution accident or electrical shock drowning. This type of accident can occur when an electrical current is discharged into the water, either from a boat, a dock, a light, or some other malfunctioning electrical equipment. If someone from the boat jumps or falls into the water and an electrical current is discharged into the water from an electrical power source, the victim may be electrocuted if the current is strong enough. However, it is more common for a low-level electrical current that is discharged into the water to incapacitate the victim and lead to a drowning death, which is known as an electrical shock drowning. In this type of electrocution accident, there may be no visible warning that the water is energized and swimmers may not feel the current right away. 

Anytime you board a boat, you should be alert to the risk of electrocution accidents and electric shock drownings so you can protect yourself and your loved ones from harm. “Although electric shock drowning can occur virtually in any location where electricity is provided near water, the majority of electric shock drowning deaths have occurred in public and private marinas and docks,” warns the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association. If your loved one was killed in an electrical shock drowning, the owner or operator of the boat, the owner or operator of the marina, or any person or entity responsible for the safety of the people onboard the boat, such as a boating charter company, may be responsible for your loved one’s death, depending on the exact cause of the accident.

Other Possible Sources of Electrocution Accidents

As you can see, electrocution accidents can occur virtually anywhere there is an electrical power source, including on a construction site, at a workplace, or near any swimming pool or body of water where electricity is provided. You could also be at risk for an electrical accident in another person’s home, in a retail building, or in any public building where there is a chance that you may come in contact with exposed wires, a live power source, or other electrical hazards.