The telecommunications construction industry plays a pivotal role in connecting the world, but it also faces significant electrical safety challenges. From installing new cell towers to maintaining fiber optic networks, electrical hazards are omnipresent. Employers and workers must collaborate to identify and mitigate electrical hazards, implement safety procedures, and adhere to OSHA regulations.
The Shocking Incidents
Incidents involving electrical hazards are all too common in the telecommunications construction industry. Here are two real-life examples that shed light on the risks:
- Electrocution in Tower Climbing: 2017, a telecommunications worker was electrocuted while climbing a cell tower. The root cause of the accident was improper grounding and failure to de-energize the tower before climbing.
- Electrical Contact During Excavation: A construction crew accidentally struck an underground electrical cable while excavating for a new fiber optic line. This resulted in injuries to workers and a power outage in the surrounding area. The root cause was a lack of proper utility location and excavation precautions.
OSHA categorizes electrical hazards among the “Fatal Four” construction hazards. Electrocutions, in particular, are a leading cause of fatalities. The most common causes of electrical accidents include arc flash, arc blasts, electrical fires, shocks and burns, explosions, and falls from heights occurring in conjunction with one of these other types of accidents. Many of these accidents occur when the employee, or the equipment the employee is using, comes into contact with overhead power lines, is exposed to improper grounding, or equipment failures.
There are a few steps that can help to prevent accidents resulting from electrical hazards. The first is the Job Hazard Analysis process. Ensure the JHA includes information on all existing electrical hazards, their controls, and a current utility locate. Train workers who will encounter electrical hazards onsite to recognize the hazard, properly use the provided PPE, and understand company designated safe work practices. Lockout/Tagout should be used whenever equipment is being maintained or repaired. The lock or tag shall be installed and removed by the same person and placed in a manner that does not allow for accidental powering up. Workers should be provided and trained to use fall protection equipment, ensure they are employing continuous fall protection practices anytime they are working at height. Lastly, inspect electrical equipment and tools regularly to prevent malfunctions and failures.
Electrical safety is paramount in the telecommunications construction industry, where the risks of electrocution and electrical accidents are commonly encountered. The real-life incidents provided by OSHA underscore the urgency of prioritizing electrical safety. By supporting our employees, we can safeguard the lives and well-being of those who build and maintain the critical telecommunications infrastructure that keeps our world connected.
eSystem Training Solutions offers many electrical safety courses including Basic Electricity, Electrical Safety, Lockout/Tagout, Bloqueo/Etiquetado (Lockout/Tagout), Arc Flash Safety, Electrical Safety Introduction (Z-462) for Canada, General Electrical Hazard Awareness and NFPA 70E 2018, and many others.
By Dominique Valdez of eSystem Training
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