Electrical hazards cause more than 200 electrocutions (death by electric shock) and 4,000 workplace injuries each year, costing businesses millions of dollars in Workers’ Comp claims, fines, medical costs, litigation, lost business and equipment cost. “While electrical hazards are not the leading cause of on-the-job injuries, accidents, and fatalities, they are disproportionately fatal and costly,” according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
The good news is that most electrically-related injuries and the resulting workers’ compensation and fire-related rebuilding costs can be avoided with a comprehensive electrical safety program. That's good news for electrical contractors and other businesses whose employees perform electrical maintenance and installation services.
Whether you’re in an office, a warehouse, or a manufacturing facility, there are things you can do to avoid electrical injuries and costly worker's comp claims:
ESFI offers the following steps:
Step 1: Awareness
What does electrical safety mean to you? The How Do You Know? video modules demonstrate how safe electrical practices are vital to everyone in your business.
Step 2: Assessment
Are you confident that your company's electrical safety program is up-to-date and comprehensive? Evaluate your program with ESFI's Electrical Safety Self Assessment. It's an easy to use tool that will help you review and analyze your company's electrical safety practices related to facilities, personnel, and procedures.
Step 3: Improvement
Once you identify areas that need to be addressed, what's the next step? ESFI has compiled a library of safety resources and links to help you find the information you need.
However, even the best laid plans sometimes fail. When that happens you need to have the right insurance to protect your business from those unforeseen incidents. Contact American Insuring Group at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 for help in obtaining the right worker's comp insurance to properly cover your business from loss. We can help you with all your business-related insurance needs.