Reversing the increasing rate of injury in electrical trades. Reporting high risk for electrical repair and maintenance work

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1 Improving Electrical Safety for Ontario Workers Are you willing to take the RISK? Improper procedure is associated with over 60% of electrical worker incidents. Inside: Reversing the increasing rate of injury in electrical trades Reporting high risk for electrical repair and maintenance work Understanding the role of business owners and supervisors Working safely near powerlines 1

2 Electrical Trades Experiencing Higher Rates of Injury Take Safety Precautions Every Day, Every Time Only 57% of electricians say they always take safety precautions when doing electrical work. 1. Don t cut corners. Improper procedure is associated with over 60% of electrical worker incidents. 2. Don t work live. The majority of electrical injuries are linked to working on energized equipment such as breaker panels, motor control systems, and lighting. 3. Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if you must work live. Electric arc flashes can happen in an instant and the consequences are devastating. PPE is critical for your protection. What can we do to REVERSE this trend Overall, occupational electrocutions and serious electrical injuries in Ontario have decreased by more than half from to However during the same time incidents involving electricians increased six-fold. High Risk Repair & Maintenance Work Electrical repair and maintenance presents the GREATEST RISK of electrical injury and 40% of electricians frequently or almost always conduct electrical maintenance work. Emergency Visits In 2009, there were 1,674 emergency department visits for electrical injuries in Ontario. More than 78% of those visits were for the most severe types of injuries, including those requiring resuscitation. And almost half of these visits were for work-related injuries. High Voltage Injuries High voltage injuries expose workers to lethal amounts of electricity and can cause severe burns, partial amputation of limbs, and/or death. Low Voltage Injuries There are hidden dangers associated with low voltage contact. Many electrical workers consider low voltage contact to be just part of the job. But research from Sunnybrook s Ross Tilley Burn Centre and St. John s Rehab finds that seemingly harmless low voltage issues may take months to detect and can include irregular heartbeat, speech impairment, difficulty walking, numbness, nightmares, memory loss and weakness. All electrical contact should be reported. For more information on the impact of low voltage shocks contact Sunnybrook s Ross Tilley Burn Centre. ELECTRICAL SHOCKS High voltage shocks cause immediate injuries; seemingly low voltage shocks can have potentially devastating longer-terms consequences that!include stroke like effects. What should have been a routine job, turned your world upside down. STAY SAFE! Both the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act define requirements to keep workers safe when they undertake electrical repair and maintenance work. 1 2 Ensure that warning labels are placed on electrical equipment to warn workers of potential shock and arc hazards. Don t work live. Electrical equipment should be disconnected from the power supply, locked out and tagged out when doing electrical repair and maintenance. 2 Improving Electrical Safety for Ontario Workers 3

3 The Role of Business Owners & Supervisors 80 STAY SAFE! Probable Cause of Occupational Electrocutions in Ontario, % Improper procedure Improper procedure is associated with over of electrical worker incidents Develop safe work practices and policies for electrical work Ensure workers follow safe work practices Other/ Unknown 10 Human error Lack of maintenance Poor design 0 Who s responsible?? The majority of electrical incidents result from improper procedures. Worker incidents (including those involving contract workers) where safety procedures have not been followed can result in charges to supervisors, managers, owner/operators and co-workers by the Ministry of Labour, and/or criminal charges under Bill C45. 4 Improving Electrical Safety for Ontario Workers Aging equipment Theft/ misadventure Faulty equipment Source: ESA and Coroner s records Occupational Fatalities What are YOU doing to protect your workers and contractors? To protect workers (including contract workers) owners and supervisors should: Occupational fatalities from electrocution are a significant problem. Studies show that the highest proportion of electrocution deaths is among electricians and electrical helpers, utility workers, and those undertaking repair and maintenance work in construction and manufacturing industries. Causal Factors A review of causal factors associated with electrical workplace incidents identified that these occur when safety requirements and considerations break down.! Provide workers with training and Personal Protective Equipment. 4 Conduct a regular hazard analysis to identify and address potential hazards. 5 Adhere warning labels to electrical equipment that caution workers of potential shock and fire hazards. 6 Review and adopt recommendations defined in the CSA Z462 safe work practices guidelines. BE SURE TO REVIEW both the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. They define the requirements to keep 2011 Poc workers safe when they ke O OH&ntario t undertake electrical repair S Reg Act & ulat ions and maintenance work. 5

4 Working Safely Near Powerlines Operating Safely Near Powerlines Look up! Look out! Prior to starting work: In the past 10 years powerline and utility-related equipment accounted for of all electrocutions. 68% were occupational, and more than 65% were construction-related. 53% 1. Perform a complete hazard assessment of the working area and surroundings. 2. Look up and look out for overhead conductors. 3. Confirm voltage of overhead powerlines and equipment. Supervisors and owners must confirm voltage for overhead powerlines and equipment to ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OH&S Act) Limits of Approach. 4. Adhere to Limits of Approach identified in the OH&S Act. 5. Request that lines be de-energized by the Local Distribution Company if you need to work within the Limits. 6. Ensure signage exists to warn workers of potential hazards due to overhead powerlines (as stipulated by OH&S Act). 7. Ensure spotters are used (as required by OH&S Act). Know Your Limits THE RISK OVERHEAD 1 2 Any contact with powerlines poses a risk of injury or electrocution. ost overhead powerlines do not have M protective insulation. 3 The majority of electrical Ontario s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OH&S Act), General Construction (O. Reg. 213/91) Section 186 specifies the Limits of Approach for working near overhead powerlines as follows: ou don t even need to touch high Y powerlines to risk death. In fact, metal objects that come in close proximity to uninsulated powerlines or bare conductors present the same risks. incidents occur when workers don t Look Up! and Look Out!. Worker incidents (including those Nominal phase-to-phase voltage rating Minimum distance involving contract workers) Up to 150,000 volts 3 metres where safety requirements More than 150,000 volts, but less than 250, metres have not been followed More than 250,000 6 metres supervisors, managers, Always use the most current OH&S Act to understand the rights and duties of all parties in the workplace. can result in charges to owner/operators and co-workers by the Ministry of Labour, and/or criminal LIMITS OF APPROACH charges under Bill C45. Locate overhead powerlines, confirm voltage, and follow OH&S Act guidelines. 6 Improving Electrical Safety for Ontario Workers 7

5 Improving Electrical Safety for Ontario Workers We can help... The Electrical Safety Authority is committed to reducing rates of electrical injury and fatalities across Ontario. We work closely with safety and industry stakeholders to increase awareness and influence change. Our Continuous Safety Services program and training programs can help improve worker safety in your facility. WHO WE ARE... The Electrical Safety Authority has been given the mandate for public electrical safety by the Ontario government. To meet our safety goals we: identify and target electrical risk priorities; investigate electrical fatalities, injuries and fire; educate on electrical safety regulations, the safe use of electricity, and the dangers of unsafe practices, products and installations; advance the safety system by influencing safety standards development in conjunction with other safety organizations; and enforce a set of regulations related to electrical safety. For more information: visit or call Improving Electrical Safety for Ontario Workers