Commercial electrical work arguably poses a significant workplace safety hazard, especially if inexperienced or untrained workers tackle an electrical challenge without knowing the risks or safety protocols.
Hiring certified electricians with extensive safety training and an understanding of complex systems can protect in-house teams as well as prevent safety issues, threat of fire and network inefficiencies down the road.
The risk is real
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), the leading authority on workplace electrical safety, declares National Electrical Safety Month each May. Consider these sobering ESFI statistics :
- 52% of electrical fatalities are attributed to "Constructing, Repairing, Cleaning."
- 27% of electrical fatalities are attributed to "Using or Operating Tools, Machinery."
- 166 electrical fatalities were recorded in 2019, a 3.75% increase over 2018 and the highest number of electrical fatalities since 2011.
- 3% of all fatalities in 2019 were caused by contact with / exposure to electric current.
- At 0.7 / 100,000, the construction industry had the highest rate of fatal electrical injuries, followed by utility (0.4 / 100,000) in 2019. All industries had 0.1 fatalities per 100,000 workers.
- 8% of all electrical injuries were fatal in 2019.
Safety should be top of mind when performing any electrical tasks. OSHA and NFPA 70E standards are aimed at protecting employees from dangers such as:
- Electric shock
- Electrocution
- Fires
- Explosions
DIY Don’ts
It’s second nature to call a service technician for updates and repairs to equipment like HVAC systems and plumbing, yet electrical work all too often is an area where DIY or "how hard can it be?" projects turn dangerous and costly for commercial operations or workplaces.
"Our service teams have extensive electrical safety training, including OSHA and NFPA 70E standards, and the highest level skill certifications to ensure your electrical projects are performed at the highest standards," says Safety Manager Mike Carpenter, TD's electrical safety expert. "TD considers electrical hazards to be a life critical safety focus. This means that TD uses layers of safety controls to perform electrical work with high reliability."
OSHA’s publication "Controlling Electrical Hazards" notes that, "We tend to overlook the hazards electricity poses and fail to treat it with the respect it deserves." OSHA’s 71 pages of standards and safety guidelines focus on the exposed or operating elements of an electrical installation such as lighting, equipment, motors, machines, appliances, switches, controls and enclosures, requiring that they be constructed and installed to minimize workplace electrical dangers.
OSHA’s standards also require that certain approved testing organizations test and certify electrical equipment before use in the workplace to ensure it is safe.
Before you start, call TDIndustries
Reach out to TDIndustries’ experienced, skilled and safety-focused team to ensure your service projects are handled safely, efficiently and above and beyond the latest OSHA and ESFI standards.
One of TD’s core values is to "fiercely protect the safety of all." Trust TD with your electrical service needs at every level.
Get started with safe electrical service today.
More from the Blog
George R. Brown Convention Center Scores LEED Gold with TD Support
How often does a 35-year-old building achieve LEED Gold certification? You tell us, but we’d say given...
3 Horror Stories: The Consequences of Maintenance Neglect
In our most recent blog series, we’ve broken down what can go wrong when maintenance isn’t properly...
“Firefighter,” “Machine Whisperer,” and 54-Year Partner Ed Ramsey Reflects on Tenure at TD
TDIndustries has seen many Partners retire with lengthy terms of service, but only a handful in TD's...
Subscribe to our blog
Please provide your email address to subscribe!