Safety is a Choice That Impacts Everyone 
Over the last 10 years, more than 46,000 US workers have been injured from on-the-job electrical hazards. These types of injuries are not isolated to any one industry or one field or work. It could happen to anyone when they leat expect it. Fortunately, workers can choose to protect themselves from these threats. During the work day, a worker is hurt every 30 minutes so severely from electricity that it requires time off the job. Recovery from electrical shocks and burns is slow and painful. But, it could be worse. Nearly 300 workers die from work related electrical injuries each year. Choosing safety is a decision that affects families, friends, and colleagues.
Choose Safety
Most electrically-related fatalities and injuries could easily be avoided. Responsibility for your safety begins with the individual worker. Take steps to protect yourself everyday and make safety an integral part of how you do business.
How to Stay Safe While Working in an Industrial Setting
| Deenergize & Lockout/Tagout -- Each worksite is dynamic. Power down whenever possible and follow these key principles to avoid injury and death. |
Test Before You Touch -- Workplace hazards can be avoided by making certain those who work on and around electricity test before they touch. |
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) -- In the blink of an eye, an arc flash can forever change your life. Protect yourself by choosing the appropriate equipment for the job. |
Job Planning & Work Permits -- Assess the hazards and define the tasks each job will entail |
Protect Yourself from Arc Flash and Blast 
An arc flash is the sudden release of electrical energy through the air when a high-voltage gap exists and there is a breakdown between conductors. An arc flash gives off thermal radiation (heat) and bright, intense light that can cause burns. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 35,000°F . Exposure to these extreme temperatures burns the skin directly and ignites the clothing that you are wearing. High-voltage arcs can also produce considerable pressure waves by rapidly heating the air and creating a blast. This pressure burst can hit a worker with grenade like force and send metal droplets from melted copper and aluminum electrical components shooting out at speeds up to 700 miles per hour, fast enough for the tiny shrapnel to penetrate your body. 2,000 workers are admitted to burn centers each year for treatment of severe arc flash burns - that's the equivalent of 5 to 10 arc flash incidences each day.
Click here to learn more about how to protect yourself from Arc Flash Incidences.
