Electricians help to keep our homes and businesses running. Among other things, electricians install wiring, inspect electrical components, conduct routine maintenance, troubleshoot problems, and repair/replace serious issues. You may be wondering: Is it dangerous to be an electrician? The short answer is that it certainly can be—especially if the proper safety precautions are not taken. Here, our Virginia workers’ compensation attorney discusses the workplace safety data for the industry and highlights the most common reasons why electricians are hurt on the job.
An Overview of the Work Safety Data for Electricians (Most Injuries than National Average)
How dangerous is it to be an electrician? It is somewhat more dangerous than your average profession. According to the most recent data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), electricians are forced to miss approximately 7,500 days from work nationwide each year due work-related injuries or work-related illnesses. The most common parts of the body affected by these injuries are knees, hands, shoulders, and the back.
For reference, the workplace injury rate for electricians is 12.5 percent higher than for workers as a whole. Of course, not all electricians in Virginia face the same workplace safety hazards. When employers cut corners on safety—putting profits before employees—they can expose electricians to very serious hazards. An individual electric could face a very high risk of serious harm.
Know the Most Common Job-Related Injuries for Electricians in Virginia
What are the most common ways that electricians are injured on the job in Virginia? The accidents can happen in a wide range of different ways. Some of the leading causes of injuries include:
- Overexertion: Electricians in Virginia often face overexertion injuries in the workplace. It could be due to heavy lifting, pushing, and/pr pulling while installing and maintaining electrical systems. These activities can lead to muscle strains, back injuries, and joint pain. Immediate care is required for acute overexertion injuries.
- Fall Accidents: Fall accidents are another major safety hazard for electricians—especially so for those who work on ladders, scaffolds, or elevated platforms. Slips, trips, and falls can result in serious injuries such as fractures, concussions, and even fatalities.
- Repetitive Strain: Repetitive strain injuries are common among electricians due to the frequent bending, reaching, and twisting required to access wiring in confined spaces. Over time, these repetitive motions can cause conditions like severe tendonitis.
- Electrocutions: While less common (and preventable with proper safety practices), electrocutions are a major workplace safety risk. When they happen, they can be catastrophic or even deadly. It is imperative that all companies, contractors, and electricians exercise the proper safety precautions around live wires.
Contact Our Virginia Workers’ Comp Lawyer for Electricians Today
At Injured Workers’ Law Firm, our job is to work for you after an accident. If you or your loved one is an electrician who was hurt in the workplace, we are here to help Call our work injury team at (804) 755-7755 or connect with us online to get started. We represent injured electricians throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.