HAZARD CONTROL

Peer-Reviewed

HIGH-RISK
ELECTRICAL
TASKS
& Contributing
Work Factors
By Babak Memarian, Sara B. Brooks,
Jean Christophe Le and Jerry E. Rivera
 E
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION is identified as a high-risk Pretask Planning & Preventive Practices
trade, and electricians accounted for about 8% of all fa- In electrical construction, the most serious incidents
talities in the construction industry in 2019 (BLS, 2021). often involve the uncontrolled release of hazardous energy.
Electrical operations are typically highly technical and For this reason, de-energization is the primary control
complex, and electricians can be exposed to various haz- method employed to prevent catastrophic injuries. Out-
ards that can lead to injuries and fatalities. Electrocution ages that are properly planned, implemented and verified
is known as one of the leading causes of fatalities in elec- can completely remove hazardous energy from electrical
trical construction as well as other trades (OSHA, 2011). systems so that work can be safely performed. However,
Other analyses report contact with overhead power lines, these outages are often infeasible in public locations that
faulty wiring, contact with energized equipment, improp- require continuous power such as hospitals or utilities.
er PPE and faulty construction tools as the leading causes LOTO is an alternative control that is frequently employed
of occupational injuries involving electric shock (Casini, to d
­ ­e-energize systems in part or in full and restrict unau-
1993; Doan, 2019; Hinze et al., 1998). thorized re-energization. It can be highly effective when
Although electricians are at a higher risk of injury and implemented correctly (OSHA, 2011). Improved training,
fatality due to electrical incidents compared to other trades, for both management and craft, has proven to increase the
the impact of these incidents is wide-ranging. Other work success of LOTO programs as well as electrical safety pro-
groups including laborers, structural metalworkers, paint- grams in general (Gammon et al., 2019; Neitzel, 2018).
ers, roofers and linemen also experience an increased risk Lean construction is defined as an organizational ap-
of injury and fatality due to contact with electricity (Casini, proach initially intended to reduce waste, maintain work-
1993; Ore & Casini, 1996; Suruda, 1988). flow, decrease cost, increase productivity and enhance
Despite the importance, limited research has been project quality. However, research findings suggest that
conducted to delve deeper into the mechanism of inci- application of lean construction principles and tools can
dents and explore underlying factors contributing to the also enhance project safety (Gambatese et al., 2016). In the
increased burden of electrical injuries and fatalities in context of electrical construction, the application of lean
construction. Studies that have attempted to fill this gap principles can include the proper use of labels and tags,
have some limitations. A 2009 study examined workers’ which provide workers with visual cues and detailed in-
compensation claims to identify the causal factors of non- formation on voltage and energization status of electrical
fatal injuries involving contact with electricity (Lombardi equipment. This practice can reduce the risk of exposure
et al., 2009). A similar investigation was performed in to hazardous energy and consequent injuries and fatali-
2013 based on BLS data. However, these studies included ties. Moreover, systematic storage of materials and tools,
all industry sectors, limiting their applicability to con- and removal of unneeded items can reduce exposure to
struction (Cawley & Brenner, 2013). trip hazards and enhance efficiency by reducing search
A more recent study utilized OSHA’s Integrated Man- time (Fardhosseini et al., 2021).
agement Information System data to analyze trends
in occupational incidents in electrical construction Research Objectives
(Gholizadeh et al., 2021). This study provided import- Research findings suggest that most occupational inci-
ant quantitative insights and identified malfunctions dents are preventable if hazards are recognized properly
in lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, inappropriate and addressed proactively (Memarian et al., 2022; OSHA,
position, and the removal or inappropriate use of safety 2012). Understanding the task factors and project attri-
devices as the main precipitating factors in electrical fa- butes contributing to incidents and injuries can paint
talities. However, it was based on data gathered through a more complete picture of the interventions needed to
legally mandated incident and injury reporting, which prevent future incidents. This emphasizes the impor-
contains insufficient supplemental data on tools and tance of implementing effective pretask planning and job
equipment, mitigating circumstances and unique chal- hazard analysis (JHA) to reduce occupational incidents
lenges (Hinze et al., 1998). Moreover, they do not cap- and injuries. A well-established pretask plan augmented
ture near-misses, a valuable source of data for incident by task-specific information can help identify potential
prevention (Williamsen, 2013). hazards, develop mitigation strategies and recommend
necessary controls (Madhuwanthi et al., 2019). However,
KEY TAKEAWAYS the current body of knowledge in electrical construction
•beyond
This study takes a deeper look at electrical tasks, going
statistics, to explore task-specific information from
safety lacks this comprehensive information all in one
place. To fill this gap and help enhance the quality of JHA
practitioners’ perspectives to enhance the quality of pretask and pretask planning in electrical construction, this study
planning during the process of electrical operations. pursued three objectives: 1. identify high-risk and highly
•This project identifies high-risk electrical tasks and explores
work factors constituting at-risk working conditions for each
complex electrical tasks and operations; 2. explore task
factors and project attributes contributing to incidents
activity. It then introduces innovative controls to recognize and near-misses from practitioners’ perspectives; and ­­
and mitigate hazards. 3. identify applied interventions and solutions for each
STURTI/E+/GETTY IMAGES

•The findings of this study emphasize the importance of

proper lockout/tagout as the centerpiece of risk control
task to help enhance electrical workers’ safety and health.

practices in electrical work. It further discusses the appli- Methodology

cation of advanced technologies to enhance the quality of To deliver the project objectives, four major activities
hazard recognition. were performed in the following order: 1. convene an

[Link] AUGUST 2022 PROFESSIONAL SAFETY PSJ 15

TABLE 1
HIGH-RISK ELECTRICAL TASKS & CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Tasks Contributing factors

Demolition or removal of electrical • Improper control of energy from live equipment
equipment • Unsecured components
• Poorly installed equipment with missing drawings or labels
• Inadequate and inconsistent training
• Exposure to unknown particulate
Site work, layout and logistics • Congested jobsite
• Uneven terrain or ice
• Improper lift techniques
• Improper mobilization equipment
Prepare ground for underground electrical • Striking unground live lines or energized feeders
installations • Trench preparation and excavation
• Hazardous atmospheres (e.g., manholes and duct banks)
• Tight workspace
• Procedure violation: using stronger chipping guns to accelerate progress
• Poor-quality inspection due to dirt obscuring wire coatings
Pull cables and wires • Improper ergonomic techniques and awkward posture due to tight
workspaces
• Not using mechanical aids to move reels
• Improper use of the tugger
• Sharp edges (e.g., HVAC ductwork)
• Long-distance pull operations
Lockout/tagout (LOTO) • Not following LOTO policies and procedures
• Not reviewing electrical one-line diagrams and documents
• Not having correct LOTO device
• Unexpected release of stored energy from test equipment and back feeds
• Performing LOTO on complex systems: LOTO-specific breakers while
keeping other breakers in operation
Operate trucks with boom lifts or • Contact with overhead lines or objects from hauling high-profile
standalone lifts equipment
• Not having a spotter in place
• Lack of overhead hazard recognition
Produce openings for conduit and • Working near live equipment
electrical lines • Striking a live line within a wall or floor
• Struck-by objects from overhead drilling
• Wrong choices of drill bit and hole saw for the core drill
• Working around public
Installation of new electrical equipment • Complex configuration of electrical equipment
• Tight workspace
• Improper coordination of overhead or stacked work
• Uncomfortable PPE and awkward posture in tight workspace
• Failure to inspect and improper use of equipment and tools
• Untethered tools and materials
• Inadequate insulation
• Improper control of energy
Preventive maintenance on electrical • Complex LOTO procedure due to multiple switchgear and unaccounted
equipment feeds
• Failure to follow LOTO procedures
• Contact with energized parts (e.g., conductors and bus bars)
• Overloading load bank
• Faulty load banks and cables
• Improper connection to load bank
Energize electrical equipment • Incomplete, incorrect or mislabeled installations
• Failure to follow the LOTO procedures
• Using conductive tools
• Improper control of downstream devices
• Circuit breaker failure causing arc flashes and igniting combustible dust

16 PSJ PROFESSIONAL SAFETY AUGUST 2022 [Link]

 Photo 1 (above): A cable
locating device. These
devices use geospatial
technology and rely on
electromagnetic sensors or
radio frequency and
ground-penetrating radar
to map components
below the surface.
Photo 2 (right): An AR
training module for
underground electrical
systems can be used to
enhance workers’ hazard
recognition skills.

industry advisory group; 2. develop the data collection Recruit Participants

instrument; 3. recruit participants; and 4. collect data. In collaboration with the industry advisory group, the
data collection form was sent to 18 company representa-
Convene an Industry Advisory Group tives from electrical and general contractors. Companies
To enhance the quality and reliability of findings, the were selected using a convenience sampling approach.
first step was to convene an industry advisory group. This
group comprised 10 subject matter experts in construc- Collect Data
tion safety and health representing electrical construction Participants were given 3 weeks to complete and return
contractors, unions and trade associations. The advisory the form to the research team. Fourteen company repre-
group’s role was to review the design of the data collection sentatives completed and returned the form, yielding a
instrument and examine research findings through an 78% response rate.
iterative process. The advisory group also facilitated re-
cruiting the research participants. Findings
Each of the 14 completed forms received contained
Develop the Data Collection Instrument between two and 11 discrete electrical tasks that re-
An inquiry form was developed to identify high-risk spondents identified as high risk. These tasks were ac-
electrical tasks and detailed information on associated companied by work factors that respondents believed
work factors that create hazardous working conditions contributed to the elevated level of risk. After cleaning
from practitioners’ perspectives. The form was revised and processing the data, 10 major tasks were identified.
and finalized based on the industry advisory group’s Each major task was populated with the contributing fac-
comments. The form included instructions for partici- tors provided by respondents (Table 1).
pants and provided a blank table to capture their respons-
es. No answer choices or prepopulated lists were provided. Discussion & Conclusion
Respondents were first asked to list high-risk electrical To develop a comprehensive pretask plan and implement
tasks based on their own experience in the first column effective controls, access to detailed task-specific informa-
and provide supplementary information on contributing tion is essential. Since electrical hazards can impact other
factors in the corresponding spaces for each operation trades on the jobsite, access to this information is vital for
including: 1. potential incidents or near-misses; 2. associ- all trades working on or near electrical equipment and
ated tasks or subtasks; 3. tools or equipment; 4. materials; installations. To fill this gap in the current body of knowl-
and 5. unique challenges. The final version was reviewed edge, in close collaboration with construction practitioners,
and approved by the CPWR—The Center for Construc- this study first identified high-risk electrical tasks. It then
tion Research and Training’s institutional review board. explored work factors associated with each operation that

[Link] AUGUST 2022 PROFESSIONAL SAFETY PSJ 17

 create hazardous working conditions
and contribute to incidents and
To create a safer, Excavation­-related incidents ac-
count for nearly one-third of all in-
near-misses from practitioners’ per- healthier workplace for cidents related to utilities (Talmaki
spectives. Finally, it sought to identify et al., 2010). Unlike other types of
applied, task-specific interventions construction workers, it infrastructure, underground cables
to enhance safety and health in elec- are difficult to accurately locate.
trical construction. The findings of
is crucial to proactively Dirty and debris-covered struc-
this study are discussed further in the identify hazards and tures were identified as factors that
following sections. increase the complexity of this task.
provide proper controls This can lead to accidental contact
Energized Equipment & LOTO with power cables during excava-
Failure to adequately control elec- to mitigate them. tion, when using a jackhammer or
trical energy sources was identified when trenching for underground
as a major risk factor during multiple operations, which installations, which can result in electrocution, shock or
was mainly attributed to performing improper LOTO. burns. Therefore, it is vital to employ proper interven-
This can be a result of a lack of proper LOTO devices, not tions that can help minimize the risk of worker exposure
following the LOTO procedure, and performing LOTO to the hazards involved in ground-penetration work.
on complex electrical systems. Furthermore, from a hu- Workers may employ handheld cable-locating devices
man factors perspective, involvement of multiple trades that use geospatial technology and rely on electromag-
in the LOTO process can increase the likelihood of error. netic sensors or radio frequency and ground-penetrating
Application of effective administrative controls including radar to map components below the surface (Photo 1,
updating LOTO procedures and policies, conducting pe- p. 17). Where feasible, application of advanced tech-
riodic LOTO training, and improving the quality of com- nologies such as geospatial augmented reality (AR) to
munication and coordination among trades are strongly visualize and monitor underground utilities and their
recommended. Having qualified electrical personnel proximity to equipment is recommended. These soft-
responsible for LOTO has also been proven to significant- ware applications translate geographic data from the
ly reduce procedural mishaps (NFPA, 2021). Employing U.S. Geological Survey into 3D markers that indicate
advanced engineering controls where feasible can reduce underground power line locations in real time.
the LOTO failure rate. A lack of overhead hazard recognition was identi-
Labels and tags on electrical components including inci- fied as a major factor causing accidental contact with
dent energy analyses and manufacturer labels communicate overhead lines while operating high-profile equipment
information that is essential for safe installation and main- including dump trucks and boom lifts. As noted, the
tenance of electrical systems. They document system volt- application of advanced technologies has played a criti-
age or fault current, or warn of an arc-flash hazard, among cal role in enhancing the accuracy of live line detection.
other purposes. As the findings of this study also revealed, Proximity warning devices can immobilize heavy equip-
missing or incorrect labels increase the risk of contact with ment when it reaches a certain height (Koustellis et al.,
uncontrolled energy. OSHA’s (2008) general industry stan- 2011). These warning devices use an electric field sensor
dard requires adherence to all labeling instructions, how- to alert the operator if mobile equipment moves within
ever, there is no equivalent requirement in construction. a minimum distance of an energized overhead power
Although OSHA may use other mechanisms such as the line. These devices can be mounted on heavy equipment
General Duty Clause to issue citations, its reach as an agen- or on the load itself. This can reduce safety risks that
cy can be limited depending on location, with approximate- might occur if the operator or spotter is distracted and
ly one compliance officer per 70,000 workers (OSHA, n.d.). the equipment is tracking into live lines (CPWR, 2016).
Defective and improperly maintained electrical equip- However, there is still no replacement for competent
ment, tools, and devices can produce hazardous condi- spotters to prevent accidental contacts with power lines,
tions for both workers and future occupants. Respondents especially overhead lines.
identified faulty circuit breakers, broken cables, faulty Some of these incidents are attributed to distractions,
load banks and defective LOTO devices as a few exam- fatigue and cognitive overload, especially those involving
ples. Therefore, it is essential to conduct periodic and operators and spotters. When overall workload exceeds
thorough assessments of the quality and working condi- capability, hazard recognition can suffer, and the likeli-
tions of electrical equipment and controls as outlined by hood of incidents increases (Memarian & Mitropoulos,
pertinent codes and standards. There are also emerging 2016). Some techniques that have been successfully used
technologies that, if adopted early in the design or rede- to remedy cognitive overload include frequent rest breaks,
sign stage, can significantly reduce worker exposure to limited overtime, stop work authority, and matching task
hazardous sources of energy. For example, permanent complexity with capability and experience (Mitropoulos
electrical safety devices eliminate worker exposure to & Memarian, 2013).
energized electrical circuits when verifying the absence of
voltage via means of guarding. Training Requirements
Improper work practices and inadequate use of equip-
Accidental Contact With Power Lines ment were cited as major challenges producing hazardous
Accidental contact with underground cables was conditions in electrical operations. These can collectively
identified as a major risk in electrical operations. stem from insufficient or lack of proper electrical safety

18 PSJ PROFESSIONAL SAFETY AUGUST 2022 [Link]

training (Gammon et al., 2019). In addition to traditional Limitations & Future Research
classroom and on-site training modules, electrical con- To create a safer, healthier workplace for construction
struction can benefit from technologies including virtual workers, it is crucial to proactively identify hazards and
reality and AR (Photo 2, p. 17) to enhance workers’ haz- provide proper controls to mitigate them. This fact high-
ard recognition skills (Wen & Gheisari, 2021). lights the importance of effective pretask planning in con-
struction projects. To help enhance the quality of pretask
Spatial & Ergonomics Considerations planning, the study presented in this article investigated
Tight workspaces and complex electrical equipment high-risk electrical tasks and identified contributing task
configurations are two major work factors identified factors and project attributes from practitioners’ perspec-
by respondents that increase electrical workers’ task tives. It then explored and introduced applied solutions
difficulty and exposure to hazards. These conditions for each operation, including the application of advanced
make it difficult to maneuver, properly lift items and technology in hazard recognition.
perform tasks that can increase the risk of contact with However, the findings of this study were limited to
sharp objects. Performing tasks in tight workspaces responses from 14 electrical construction contractors,
sometimes requires workers to take an awkward posture which may not be considered a representation of the
and does not allow for the operation of mechanical lift whole construction industry. Moreover, responses may be
devices. This increases the need for manual material limited to respondents’ personal experiences, so the find-
handling that can result in a higher risk of work-related ings should not be generalized across the construction
musculoskeletal disorders. In such conditions, appli- industry. Thus, further research is needed to examine the
cation of exoskeleton assistive devices and proper PPE findings of this study on a larger scale.
is recommended to protect workers (Dale et al., 2016; This study built a foundation for further task-­specific
van Engelhoven et al., 2018). Moreover, application of research in electrical construction and other trades.
building information modeling (BIM) is recommended From a practical perspective, a logical next step would be
to improve work coordination among trades (Wetzel & the development of an information management system
Thabet, 2015). BIM is a concept that integrates multidis- containing task-specific information and evidence-based
ciplinary data to generate a digital representation of a controls to mitigate hazards. Electrical contractors, es-
construction project throughout its life cycle. Through pecially smaller ones with limited resources, can benefit
virtual mapping of the building layout and project from such a system to enhance the quality of pretask
schedule, it can facilitate sequencing activities in logical planning. PSJ
order to avoid potential clashes (Azhar, 2011; Rajendran
& Clarke, 2011). For example, contractors using BIM References
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Babak Memarian, Ph.D., CSP, gie Mellon University. She is also certified in B.A. in Business Administration from Inter-
CHST, is director of exposure control environmental health risk assessment. American University of Puerto Rico. Rivera
technologies research at CPWR—The Jean Christophe Le, M.P.H., is con- is a member of ASSP’s National Capital and
Center for Construction Research and struction solutions database program Colonial Virginia chapters; Hispanic Safety
Training. He holds a Ph.D. in Construction manager at CPWR. He holds an M.P.H. with Professionals Common Interest Group; and
Management from Arizona State Univer- a concentration in Biostatistics and Epide- Construction, Consultants, Risk Manage-
sity and an M.S. in Civil Engineering with miology and a B.A. in Health Promotion and ment, and Training and Communications
a concentration in Construction Engi- Disease Prevention from the University of practice specialties.
neering and Management from Oklahoma Southern California.
State University.
Jerry E. Rivera, [Link]., is safety direc- Acknowledgments
Sara B. Brooks, M.P.H., is an industrial tor of the Washington, DC Chapter of the This study was supported by NIOSH grant
hygienist at CPWR. She holds an M.P.H. National Electrical Contractors Associa- U60 OH009762. The authors thank the
with a concentration in Environmental and tion. He holds a [Link]. in Advanced Safety members of the industry advisory group and
Occupational Health from the University of Engineering and Management from the construction practitioners who participated
Pittsburgh and a B.A. in Spanish from Carne- University of Alabama at Birmingham and a in the data collection process.

20 PSJ PROFESSIONAL SAFETY AUGUST 2022 [Link]