Safety Meeting Toolbox Topics and Tailgate Talks
Under certain conditions, liquids, solid objects and people can become charged with static electricity. If these charges cannot move or flow to ground, the static charges continue to accumulate, and will eventually develop enough energy to jump as a spark to another nearby object.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics website states in 2008 there were nearly 2,500 lost workday injuries resulting from electrical shock. During the same time period, electricity killed an additional 192 workers. The characteristics and power that make electricity so useful in our everyday lives also make it dangerous.
When used correctly, electricity essentially goes unnoticed. But, if something goes wrong, there may be injuries, death, fires and costly equipment and building damage.