b'hitting buried electrical and utility lines. A single contact Three Common Causes of Electrocution on Construction Sites and How to Avoidwith a live underground line can result in electrocution, Them fires and even explosions. Contact with electricity is one of the leading causes ofIts crucial to use utility markers to avoid underground fatalities in the workplace. The construction industrystrikes, especially in the spring when transitioning weath-experiences over four times the number of electrical fatal- er collides with a ramping up construction season. ities than any other leading industry, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International.According to Common Ground Alliances 2023 DIRT Report, the top root causes for damage to underground The hard truth is that many of these incidents are avoida- utility lines, including electrical lines, are failure to notify ble with the right preplanning, training and attention tothe 811 Call Before You Dig center, failure to maintain safety protocols. For example, having a dedicated spotterclearance after verifying marks, and the facility not being when operating heavy equipment near hazards is crucial.marked due to locator error. Spotters act as an extra set of eyes but are often over-looked or underutilized when companies are focused onBest practices for avoiding these dangerous strikes meeting tight deadlines or working with labor constraints.include: As the pace of construction projects increases, particular- Certification programs: Ensure workers are certified ly in the spring and summer months, understanding thein relevant excavation and utility safety programs most common causes of electrocution and best practices(e.g., OSHAs excavation standards, or equivalent for avoiding it can help construction teams work morelocal regulations). safely.Pre-job meetings: Hold preconstruction meetings to review the utility strike prevention plan, clarify roles Here are three common causes of electrocution onand communicate safety expectations to all stake jobsites and strategies for preventing incidents.holders. Regular safety drills: Conduct drills or refreshers on CONTACT WITH OVERHEAD POWER LINEShow to respond in case of a utility strike or near miss. Accounting for 48% of workplace electrical fatalities,Third-party site inspections: Engage with third-party overhead power lines are the most significant electrocu- experts who can assess the site and make tion hazard on jobsites, especially for those working withrecommendations for mitigating risks associated with tall equipment such as cranes, scaffolding and ladders.utility strikes. With an extremely high voltage and typically no insula- Call before you dig: Notify 811 or use the local utility tion like other electrical wiring, any contact is incrediblymarking service before excavation. risky. Sometimes injury can even occur without contact, as the electricity can arc and jump under specific condi- Comprehensive pre-work assessments: Compare site tions.plans with utility maps to cross-check potential hazard areas. Dont assume its safe to excavate just Risk mitigation strategies when working near overheadbecause there are no locate marks present. Do your power lines include:due diligence. For example, if youre diggingbetween a transformer and the electric meter on a building, but there are no location marks and no over-Conduct pre-work assessments: A thorough site head wires to connect the two, theres likely a line survey is important before beginning work to identifyburied there. and mark power line locations. Maintain safe distances: Keep machinery, equipment and loads at least 20 feet from power linesand keepFollow hand-digging guidelines: In areas where utilities workers 20 feet away from machinery operating nearare suspected, encourage the use of non-mechanical power lines.excavation tools (e.g., hand digging or vacuumUse insulated or non-conductive equipment: Chooseexcavation also known as a soft dig) to reduce the risk fiberglass ladders and nonconductive tagline ropes.of hitting utilities. Its a safer, less destructive alternative All tools should be rated for electrical work.to traditional digging methods. In these areas, never use a Spotter systems: Designate a trained spotter to guidepickaxe or stand on the shovel to break the dirt apart. operators of cranes, lifts and other large equipment.Keep the shovel on an angle so its less likely to cause damage. STRIKING UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL LINES Excavation and trenching operations pose a serious risk of(continued on page 19) 22'