Are you an electrician who was injured while on the job? You are certainly not alone. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that approximately 7,270 of the nation’s 656,510 full-time electricians were forced to miss time due to a work-related injury in 2020. As with any other profession, the workplace injuries that electricians typically suffer can be prevented with proper care. In this article, our Virginia workers’ comp lawyer highlights common ways in which career electricians can be injured while on the job.
Five of the Most Common Ways that Electricians are Injured While On the Job in Virginia
- Fall Hazards
- Fall Hazards are a leading cause of injury among electricians in Virginia. These hazards expose workers to safety risks in two key ways. First, electricians working at heights on ladders, scaffolds, or roofs face a very serious risk. A slip or misstep can lead to falls, resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities. To mitigate these dangers, employers must use fall protection equipment. Slip and fall accidents—from wet floors to loose debris—are also a safety risk for electricians.
- Overly Straining Body Contortions and/or Movements
- Overly Straining Body Contortions and/or Movements also pose a significant threat to electricians. The nature of their work often requires them to assume awkward positions for extended periods, leading to musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries can range from relatively temporary discomfort to chronic or even debilitating impairments that prevent their ability to work.
- Dangerous Faulty Equipment
- Dangerous faulty equipment is another major source of work-related injuries among electricians. Electricians rely on their tools and equipment to perform tasks safely. However, when these tools are defective, poorly maintained, or otherwise problematic, they can cause electric shocks, burns, or other serious injuries.
- Live Wires (That Should Have Been Turned Off)
- Electricity is extremely dangerous. Live wires—that should have been turned off—present a grave danger. Electricians often work on circuits that are assumed to be powered down. However, mistakes in identifying the correct circuit or accidental re-energization can lead to contact with live wires, resulting in electric shocks or electrocution.
- Extremely Loud Noise—and Lack of Hearing Protection
- Lack of hearing protection is another major workplace safety risk for electricians. The use of heavy machinery and equipment generates high decibel levels. Without proper hearing protection, the constant exposure to these noises can deteriorate an electrician’s hearing over time. It is a crucial that employers provide proper hearing protection to electricians in loud workplaces.
Contact Our Virginia Workers’ Comp Attorney for Electricians Today
At Injured Workers’ Law Firm, our Virginia workers’ comp lawyer gets to work when you cannot. If you or your loved one is an electrician who was injured on the job, we are more than ready to help you navigate the legal claims process. Give us a phone call at (804) 755-7755 or contact us online for your completely confidential consultation. With a main office in Richmond, we represent career electricians in workers’ compensation claims throughout Virginia.