Why Is Being An Electrician Dangerous?

Why Is Being An Electrician Dangerous?

All of us are taught from a very young age that messing with electricity is incredibly dangerous; and there’s no denying that this is true. Electricity has the power to kill you in seconds so it’s vital that, when working with it, you have the right skills and training to know how to do so safely. But are there seriously that many risks with each working day for sparkies? And why is being an electrician dangerous?

You could be forgiven for thinking that the main hazard of being an electrician comes from the risk of being shocked. While some people do sustain injuries from this, most fatalities on the job are caused by other things such as falls. 

It has been noted that, where electrical accidents occur, younger electricians are more at risk because they are more likely to make mistakes that result in an injury or death. There is a very serious risk of electric shock which may cause things like seizures, cardiac arrest, muscle spasms, burns and more. In the most severe cases, death by electrocution is possible. 

While that might seem frightening, the good news is that there are only as few as 8.4 deaths per 100,000 each year among electricians which is minor in comparison to some other jobs such as refuse collection and farming. Moreover, modern training courses place a large focus on safety in the workplace so a lot of accidents can be avoided. 

Why Is Being An Electrician Considered A Dangerous Job?

As we have discussed, being an electrician may not be as dangerous as you would think in terms of electrical accidents. Although these do occur, the majority of serious injuries or fatalities on the job come from other accidents. 

But electrical burns, shocks and full electrocution are certainly a risk. Even just a small amount of rogue electrical current could be enough to cause death but fortunately this is one of the least common risks when working as an electrician. 

Since electricians are often expected to work in confined or dangerous places such as rooftops, it may not come as a surprise to learn that falls are not uncommon. Working on overhead power lines or in loft spaces and ceilings puts electricians at an increased risk of a fall. Furthermore, working in confined spaces comes with a risk of injury.

Electricians are also at risk of other injuries, diseases and potentially death from factors that many might not even have considered upon first thought. For example, working on rooftops exposes the electrician to rat and bird droppings which could contain diseases. Moreover, they may be exposed to things like asbestos which can result in a serious lung condition.

Is Being An Electrician Hard On Your Body?

Being an electrician might not be quite as hard on the body as other jobs within trade. However, that certainly isn’t to say that being an electrician does not come with its physical demands. One of the most common problems that electricians complain about is pain in the back and knees. This comes from spending a lot of time on the floor, crouching and kneeling. 

Of course, it can take several years of working like this for problems to arise and maintaining good physical health is always going to make work easier on you. Things like wearing knee pads and taking regular breaks to stretch go a long way in ensuring that your body isn’t put under any unnecessary strain.

Is Being An Electrician Physically Demanding?

Above, we discussed some of the most common complaints relating to the physical health of an electrician. But you should also keep in mind that you will be moving around quite a lot and, depending on what you are doing, may need to stretch and strain your body quite a bit. 

It’s still important to remember that you won’t be exerting yourself as much as some other trade jobs but you may find that you have to lift items above your head, climb ladders and contort yourself to fit into small spaces. All of these things come with a degree of physical demand. 

As a rule of thumb, being an electrician doesn’t carry any serious risks to your long term health provided that you work safely and take care of your physical health. 

Is Electrician The Most Dangerous Job?

Being an electrician is largely considered to be one of the top most dangerous jobs in the world. However, there are plenty of safety precautions in place that make it far less dangerous than things like logging, roofing and surprisingly, being an airline pilot. This is based on the annual number of fatalities and it was only up until recently that electricians came off the top ten list. 

The reason it is no longer on the list is because employers and boards are continuously looking for ways to make this obviously dangerous job safer. It is extremely important for electricians to follow all safety protocols and to only complete a job when it is sfe to do so. If you feel that there are any risks involved, do not do the work.

Recent Article: How Long Does It Take To Train To Be An Electrician

Conclusion

Almost every job carries a risk of injury and in some cases, you’ll go to work and literally put your life on the line. This is often the case for electricians and working with currents is certainly not without its risks. Fortunately, however, electrocution or other electrical related accidents are few and far between when working in this industry. The majority of serious injuries and deaths of electricians come from falls when working in high places. 

In any case, it is essential that anyone working as an electrician follows strict safety procedures and takes good care of their physical health.