Each year over 700 electrocutions happen in the construction industry. Therefore, a primary goal of construction safety programs is to prevent workers from contacting electrical energy. Effective measures include safe training, job training, use of proper tools, use of protective equipment, and lockout/tag-out procedures. Investigations have also shown that once an electrocution incident occurs on a construction site, emergency response plans are often lacking.

Voltage is categorized by high voltage, greater than 600 volts, and low voltage, less than or equal to 600 volts. Contact with low voltages produces no thermal injury, but may cause very rapid or ineffective heartbeat. Contact with high voltage may stop the heart completely.

Prompt emergency medical care can be lifesaving for construction workers who have contacted either low voltage or high voltage electric energy.

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a Pennsylvania electrocution accident, please fill out the form on your left for a free case review by a Pennsylvania construction accident lawyer.