Electrocutions and Prevention in the Construction Industry Wen Wang, Ph.D., Rebecca Katz, MPH, Chris Le, MPH November 15, 2017

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1 Electrocutions and Prevention in the Construction Industry Wen Wang, Ph.D., Rebecca Katz, MPH, Chris Le, MPH November 15, 2017

2 CPWR Quarterly Data Reports timely data, well-received Selected users: BNA Construction Employer Association Construction Safety Council Durability + Design Industrial Safety & Hygiene News Equipment World PAINTSQUARE IUPAT, NABTU, LHSFNA Concrete Construction 620 downloads (Sept 1, 2015 Aug 31, 2016) quarterly data reports data briefs/

3 Introduction OSHA focus four hazards Falls Struck-by Electrocution Caught-in/between quarterlydata reports data briefs

4 Data sources Because the number of nonfatal injuries caused by electrical hazards is small, this report only focuses on fatal injuries from electrocution. 1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries 2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey

5 I. Trends of Electrocutions in Construction

6 Number of deaths 1,500 1, Between 2003 and 2015, the number of electrocution deaths in construction decreased by 39% compared to the 16% reduction in construction fatalities 1,171 1,278 1,243 1,297 1,239 1, Revised OIICS Electrocution Other fatalities* Note: In 2011, the CFOI switched to OIICS version 2.01, therefore the numbers before and after 2011 are not comparable. * Other fatalities are fatalities from all causes except electrocution. Source: Fatal injury data were generated by the CPWR Data Center with restricted access to BLS CFOI micro data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS. Year

7 Construction had the highest number of electrocution deaths among all industries in 2015 Construction Number of deaths Total = 134 deaths 82 Admin. support and waste management 15 Agriculture 7 Manufacturing 7 Utilities 5 Wholesale 4 Other 14 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Numbers were from the online CFOI database.

8 Electrocutions in construction, by major event or exposure, sum of Indirect exposure to electricity, 220 volts or less; 5% Other; 7% Total = 364 deaths Indirect exposure to electricity, greater than 220 volts; 34% Direct exposure to electricity, greater than 220 volts; 36% Direct exposure to electricity, 220 volts or less; 18% This research was conducted with restricted access to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.

9 Electric parts were the leading source of electrocution fatalities in construction between 2011 and 2015 Electric parts Number of deaths Total = 364 deaths 189 Ladders 29 Handtools 28 Trucks 23 Heating/cooling/cleaning machinery 14 Cranes, elevators, lifts 14 Building materials (solid elements) 13 Containers, furniture, and fixtures 12 Construction/logging/mining machinery 9 Scaffolds, staging, towers, poles 9 Other sources 24

10 Electrocutions caused by electric parts in construction, by primary source, sum of Power cords, electrical cords, extension cords; 3% Other; 8% Total = 189 deaths Switchboards, switches, fuses; 13% Power lines, transformers, convertors; 39% Electrical wiring building; 37% This research was conducted with restricted access to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.

11 Electrocution deaths were more likely to occur among small establishments. (Wage-and-salary workers; sum of ) Electrocution (n=293) All fatalities (n=3,495) 10.2% 17.1% 15.4% 18.8% 46.8% 22.1% 38.4% 8.9% 12.6% 9.8% 1-10 employees employees employees 50+ employees Not reported Note: Self-employed workers were excluded. Source: Fatal injury data were generated by the CPWR Data Center with restricted access to BLS CFOI micro data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.

12 II. Electrocutions among Construction Subgroups

13 Electrical contractors had the highest number of electrocution deaths in construction from Electrical Contractors Number of deaths 115 Utility System Construction 52 Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Residential Building Roofing Contractors 24 Nonresidential Building Siding Contractors Painting and Wall Covering Highway, Street, and Bridge Masonry Contractors Framing Contractors 7 6 Source: Fatal injury data were generated by the CPWR Data Center with restricted access to BLS CFOI micro data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.

14 The number of electrocution deaths among electrical contractors in construction has fluctuated but generally declined over time Number of deaths Year Source: Fatal injury data were generated by the CPWR Data Center with restricted access to BLS CFOI micro data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.

15 Number and rate of electrocutions in construction, selected construction occupations, sum of Power-line installer Number of deaths 32 Rate per 100,000 FTEs 29.7 Electrician Telecom-line installer Roofer Helper Heat A/C mech * Foreman Laborer Truck driver Brickmason Plumber Painter Carpenter *refers to the Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics occupation This research was conducted with restricted access to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.

16 Number and rate of electrocutions among electricians, Number Rate Linear (Rate ) 7.0 Number of deaths Deaths per 100,000 FTEs Year 0.0 Source: Numbers were obtained from the BLS through special requests. Numbers of FTEs were estimated using the Current Population Survey. Calculations by the authors. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.

17 Number and rate of electrocutions among power-line installers, Number of deaths Number Rate Linear (Rate ) Deaths per 100,000 FTEs Year 0.0 Source: Numbers were obtained from the BLS through special requests. Numbers of FTEs were estimated using the Current Population Survey. Calculations by the authors. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.

18 Rate of electrocutions in construction, selected worker characteristics, average of Deaths per 100,000 FTEs White, non- Hispanic Hispanic Black, non- Hispanic Foreignborn Selfemployed Wage-andsalary workers All Source: Numbers were obtained from the BLS through special requests. Numbers of FTEs were estimated using the Current Population Survey. Calculations by the authors. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.

19 Percentage and rate of electrocutions in construction, by age group, average of Percentage of electrocution 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% % 25.8% % % 0.7 Percentage Rate 10.4% Deaths per 100,000 FTEs 5% 0.2 0% Under Age group 0.0

20 III. Electrocution Prevention in Construction

Quarterly THIRD QUARTER 2017 REPORT. Electrocutions and Prevention in the Construction Industry

Quarterly THIRD QUARTER 2017 REPORT. Electrocutions and Prevention in the Construction Industry WWW.CPWR.COM Quarterly DATA THIRD QUARTER 2017 REPORT Electrocutions and Prevention in the Construction Industry CPWR Data Center: Xuanwen Wang, PhD, Rebecca Katz, MPH, Chris Le, MPH, Xiuwen Sue Dong,