Electricians Injured at Work Claims
Working with electrical components and currents is extremely dangerous, even for the most careful of electricians. Electrical accidents in the workplace are sadly all too prevalent, with many electricians submitting electric shock injury claims where negligence has led to them sustaining an injury.
As the potential for sustaining an electric shock injury while working is a daily possibility, it is important that electricians are provided with the correct personal protective equipment by their employer to ensure that they are adequately protected from facing electrical accidents in the workplace.
Common Electric Shock Injury Claims
Due to the nature of an electrician’s role, there are a variety of hazards which can be encountered on a daily basis, many of which aren’t necessarily electrical in nature. These can include slips, trips and falls, and working with or around dangerous machinery which may or may not be under their control
Electric Shock Injury and Electrocution
Coming into contact with electrical equipment and currents on a daily basis carries a high risk of electrical injury, especially where faulty electrical components are involved.
Electrical accidents can range from minor burns to life-altering conditions such as heart conditions and, in extreme cases, death.
Many of these accidents occur when electrical currents have not been safely turned off before work has commenced by someone other than the affected party, or adequate personal safety gear has not been provided by an employer. This is considered to be one of the most common electric shock injury compensation claims.
Working at Height
Electricians will often be asked to work in a variety of environments, including working at height where required. This could be installing cabling through a ceiling network, repairing electrical components in roofs or just simply at height using a form of elevation such as ladders.
As such, employers should be aware of the Work at Height Regulations (2005) and that they have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees when they are working at any height as part of their duties.
This means that all necessary training should be given to employees who are expected to work at height and that adequate safety equipment is provided to allow the electrician to carry out their duties as safely as possible.
Exposure to Dangerous Machinery
As many machines contain electrical components, electricians will often come into contact with machinery which can be dangerous to work on.
From extremely heavy machines to units with sharp attributes or even extremely high-voltage currents, it is important that electricians are adequately trained and are provided with the correct tools and protective gear to get the job done as safely as possible.
Due to the nature of some of the machines, it is essential that they are able to be maintained safely, not only for the electrician using them but for any person who will be operating them, too.
Access to Building Sites
Electricians often work side-by-side with builders and architects during a new build or renovation. This means that having access to building sites is highly likely, and with it comes a whole other host of hazards.
Building sites are very dangerous workspaces, and it is essential that the employer ensures that all health and safety protocols are in place and followed. From assessing trip and slip hazards to ensuring the correct protective gear and signage is used and is present is essential for the safety of the electricians working on site.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
In order to protect electricians while at work, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 were brought in to protect workers who are working with electrical components or currents in any form from death and injury caused by electrical accidents in the workplace. These regulations fall under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and therefore make the employer responsible for the safety of their employees who work with electricity at work – including electrical equipment which was installed or manufactured before 1989.
If you have suffered an injury at work while working with or around electricity which wasn’t your fault, you may be able to submit electric shock injury compensation claims for your loss of earnings due to the electrical accident.
To discuss your circumstances and find out how our experts can help you put in a claim, contact us today by calling 01772562084 or complete our electric shock injury compensation claims form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.