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Construction Responsible for Almost Half of Electrocutions in 2019

Construction Responsible for Almost Half of Electrocutions

Nov. 8, 2022
The Center for Construction Research and Training reports that in 2022, there were 54 fatal electrical injuries in 2020.

While construction workers make up 7% of all US workers, according to a new study from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training, the sector is responsible for nearly half of all work-related electrocutions in 2019. 

The report found the rate of fatal electrical injuries in construction did drop from 0.7 per 100,000 full-time workers in 2019 to 0.5 per 100,000 FTEs in 2020.

At 54 fatal electrical injuries in 2020, it was lowest in the ten years that the research has been conducted. But that was still 4.2% higher than in 2019.  In 2018 the record was 87 fatalities.

Looking at the data from 2011-200, the majority of the fatalities (71%) occurred in the specialty trade contractors subsector. Job titles in that subsector include carpenters, laborers, electricians, supervisors or managers of construction workers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With regard to nonfatal electrical injuries in sector there was a small increase from 440 in 2019 to 450 in 2020. The highest number of nonfatal electrical injuries during 2011–2020 was 790 in 2015.

From the perspective of OSHA citations, the number has been fall from 2011 through 2020, with 4,900 electrical citations comprising 6.5% of all construction industry citations reported in 2011. In 2020, there were 1,300 electrical citations.

Penalties also fell from $4.5 million in 2011 to $1.9 million in 2019 and 2020.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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