Electrician fatality rate shock

The latest Health & Safety Executive (HSE) statistics report that 235 people were killed at work between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004 – a 4% rise on the previous year. Of these, 70 died in the construction industry, compared to 71 in 2002-03. Ten of these fatalities have been attributed to the installation of electrical wiring and fittings. Seven of the operatives from electrical firms who died were electrocuted; the other three deaths were due to falls from height.

In total there were nine deaths caused by electrocution in 2003-04, compared to seven in 2002-03. There is a marked difference in the occupations of the operatives killed by electrocution. In 2002-03, two were listed as electric fitters, with the remaining five holding other positions, such as a joiner and catenary engineer; in 2003-04 five were electricians, one a trainee electrician, and only two from other occupations.

Paul Reeve, health and safety advisor at the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) commented: “We are aware of one fatality related to electrocution [in 2003] within the ECA. It seems that most of these tragic occurrences [deaths by electrocution] were not connected to ECA operatives. It is conceivable that some members would not tell us about a fatality, but it is very unlikely – we tend to learn quickly about deaths in our industry.”

The Association recorded two deaths among its member firms in 2003. Reeve commented: “Last year we believe was particularly bad…on average there is one fatality per year [in our member firms] and our intention though the ZAP initiative is to bring this down to zero. The ECA is chock-full of competent electricians – that’s what keeps our electrical deaths down to near zero. However, something has gone badly wrong in the wider industry if five more electrical operatives have been killed.

“Our statistics tell us that more serious accidents happen to ECA electricians due to falls from height than by electrocution,” adds Reeve. “The ECA is currently producing practical guidance on working at height, and in particular, the practical alternatives to using steps.”

The ECA is currently analysing the HSE statistics for RIDDOR-reportable accidents to compare the health and safety records of ECA member firms to the non-member firms in the electrical contracting industry. The results are due to be released by the end of August.

“We want to establish whether ECA member companies are safer overall than other electrical contractors,” explains Reeve. “A high level of safety performance is the main aim of the ECA’s ZAP initiative.”