Job sites, especially construction sites, usually have many workers doing multiple tasks at the same time. While many of these tasks are routine, it is easy to downplay the safety risks involved. As part of the “Teach Learn Care” TLC campaign, Safe Electricity urges contractors, or anyone doing construction work, to take appropriate measures to keep themselves safe.

According to the American Society of Safety Engineers, construction workers account for six percent of the U.S. workforce, but 20% of the fatalities - the largest of any industry. The majority of electrical injuries on the job site are caused by contact with power lines. Before you start work, locate all power lines, and take these important steps to ensure that you do not land among the statistics:

• Keep power tools, ladders, rigging, and yourself at least ten feet away from power lines at all times.


• If a machine or ladder comes close or touches a power line, don’t touch it. Anyone touching or even standing nearby is at risk of electrocution.
• If you are on equipment that makes contact with a power line – stay put. Do not attempt to climb off of the equipment – you don’t want to become the path to ground for the electricity. Call for help and warn others in the area to stay back until help has been called and the line has been de-energized.


• Always remember – low voltage does not mean low hazard. Have on hand the number of your local utility in case of emergencies. If there is one, ensure that you know the location and address of the problem before you call, and be able to communicate the degree of urgency.

Safe Electricity urges all workers to remember a few simple, but life-saving rules when working around or using electrical tools:

• Check the cords of your power tools before you use them. If they are damaged, do not use them or try to repair them yourself. Tag all damaged tools as damaged so that everyone else knows not to use them as well.


• Always unplug your tools before servicing or cleaning them. Ensure that they are turned off before you disconnect them to prevent accidental starting.


• Only use tools that have ground prongs in three pronged outlets. Never use a plug that has its ground prong removed.


• Keep your work area dry when working with anything electric. Remember, water + electricity = danger.


• Consider marking your tools to make them easily identifiable to discourage theft. Brightly colored paint is an easy way to identify the tools as yours or your companies’ and to deter would be thieves from taking them. Lock them up at the end of the day.

“Never become complacent when working with or near electricity,” says Molly Hall, Executive Director of Safe Electricity. “Very real hazards are too often ignored until someone is severely injured or killed.”