Electrical Hazard

What are electrical hazards
An electrical hazard is a dangerous condition where a worker can or does make electrical contact with energized equipment or a conductor.  From that contact, the person may sustain an injury from shock, and there is a potential for the worker to receive an arc flash (electrical explosion) burn, thermal burn or blast injury.

Electricity can either be "static" or "dynamic".  Dynamic electricity is the uniform motion of electrons through condition (electric current).  Static electricity is the accumulation of charge on surfaces as a result of contact and friction with another surface.

According to the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) there were 83¹ electrocutions in Ontario from 2001 through 2010.  According to ESA, the most common cause of occupational electrocution is using an improper procedure (60%)².

What the law says
Employers need to develop and implement a written health and safety program that supports the control of electrical hazards in the workplace and follow the regulations that apply to electrical hazards in the workplace.  For example, the Construction Regulation (Ontario Regulation 213/91 Section 182) is very specific about who can work on electrical equipment e.g. an electrician certified under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act.