Issue #6   So, You Don’t Want To Wear PPE?

PPE Personal Protection Equipment14 facts about electrical related accidents and why you or your employees should be wearing Personal Protection Equipment.

1. The proper use of PPE greatly reduces the risk of injury or death should an arc flash or any other electrical related accident occur.


2. It is required by OSHA!


3. 97% of electricians have been involved in an electrical related accident on the job. So, statistically if you are an electrician and you have not yet been involved in an electrical related accident then there is a better than average chance you will be.


4. If you have been in an electrical related accident then there is still a good chance you will be in one again.


5. 80% of electrically related accidents and fatalities involving “Qualified Workers” are caused by arc flash / arc blast.


6. Electrical related accidents are the fifth leading cause of work place fatalities in the US.


7. 60% of workplace fatalities are caused by burn injuries. Injuries that could easily have been prevented by the application of PPE.


8. An estimated five to ten arc flash explosions occur daily across the US.


9. Every day, one to two arc flash related fatalities occur across North America.


10. 2,000 workers are treated in specialized burn trauma centers each year as a result of arc flash injuries.


11. 21% of electrical injuries (including arc flash) tended to be permanent.


12. Medical costs for severe electrical burns can exceed $4 million per person.


13. Work-related injuries can cost businesses well over $30 million in fines, medical costs, litigation, lost business and equipment costs.


14. Last, but certainly not least, is Family! Think about your family or the families of your employees. The cost of the highest category PPE kit from ITU is less then $1000.00 and the couple minutes it takes to put it on is certainly worth saving your life or the lives of your employees.



Go to ArcFlashEngineering.com to learn more about how to prevent arc flash hazards and how to determine what category PPE you need for you facility.

Article References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics
ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International)
St. John’s Rehab Hospital (Dr. Joel Fish)
NFPA 70E
CapSchell, inc
NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health)
Electrical Safety Workshop Conference Proceedings, 2010; Update of Field Analysis of Arc Flash Incidents, PPE Protective Performance and Related Worker Injuries; Doan, Hoagland & Neal
National Safety Council
OSHA
Electricite de France