If you’re thinking of becoming an electrician, there are some dangers you’ll face on the job. Learn more about the hazards electricians can face while working.
Trips, Slips, & Falls
While you may think of electricians as people who mostly work in homes or buildings with controlled settings, electricians often work in potentially dangerous places, like roofs, ceilings, and attics. In such settings, a misplaced step could lead to a fall and serious injury.
Every job comes with the danger of slips and falls, but with electricians, it means more than just a bump or bruise. That’s why an electrician’s footwear is critical to their safety—they need shoes and boots that will offer stable traction in environments where it’s most needed.
Cuts & Abrasions
Like many workers who install and fix equipment, electricians regularly work with sharp and tough tools, from knives and pliers to screwdrivers and clippers. Often, the environment is less than ideal for electricians handling these tools as they routinely work in cramped, dark areas with limited visibility or space.
Naturally, accidents can occur in these tight spaces, and cuts and abrasions are not uncommon. Every electrician needs quality protective gloves and clothing to keep their fingers, hands, and arms safe while working.
Toxic Substances
As mentioned, electricians have to work in various settings that can be hazardous to their health. It’s not unusual for an electrician to work in a dusty attic or a moldy basement, and they have to be aware of toxins like asbestos, mold, and lead.
That’s why electricians typically have face and lung protection on hand, like masks and goggles, so they can do their work without fear of toxin exposure.
Electric Shocks
Of course, the most prominent danger you could face if you become an electrician would be an electrical shock. Working with electrical wiring and equipment naturally brings the danger of electrocution.
An electric shock injury can range from a harmless zap you barely feel to a severe electrocution that burns skin tissue and nerves, and can cause dire injuries like cardiac arrest. Safety training and apprenticeships are crucial for electricians to learn the electrical shock dangers they’ll face on the job and how to avoid and prevent them.
Arc Flashes
Along with electric shocks, electricians must be cautious of arc flashes. An arc flash occurs when an electric current passes through the air between conductors without insulation.
An arc flash can look and sound like a sudden electrical explosion; it can happen instantly and severely burn anyone caught in the path or nearby. Therefore, electricians must wear flame-resistant clothing as protection against burns in environments with arc flash dangers.
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