A State by State Comparison of Occupational Electrical Work Fatalities: Copyright Material IEEE Paper No. ESW2021-30

Abstract

Electrical workers are fatally injured from multiple causes and electrical work is a subset of all occupational electrical fatalities. This work is a state by state comparison of 2011-2018 US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) fatal occupational injury statistics for workers classified as “electricians.” The top state 2011–2018 BLS fatal occupational injury statistics illustrate that the BLS fatal injury data for electricians generally reflects the state fatal occupational injury data for all workers. State licensing requirements for electricians demonstrate that the eleven states which require a formal apprenticeship or education are among those states with lower fatal injury rates for electricians. Correlations and implications are also explored between “electrician” fatal injuries and: 1) state licensing and continuing education requirements for electricians and electrical contractors; 2) OSHA-approved state plans; and 3) state political ideology. Fatal electrical accident records from 2011-2018 OSHA accident reports which involved electrical work are discussed for the states which did not record any electrician work fatalities. How to reach electricians in higher risk states and how to reach non-qualified workers who do electrical work are addressed.