Electrical Accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey – Common OSHA Violations Resulting in Injury

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Electric shock accidents on the job or at work can result in serious injuries such as, death, cardiac arrest, electrical burns, muscle and tissue damage, amputations, disfigurement and scarring. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) electrical standards, which are based on the National Fire Protection Association Standards NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E, apply to many types of work situations, such as electrical wiring jobs or construction sites.

The majority of electrical accidents occur as a result of:

  • unsafe equipment or installation, such as ineffective grounding or guarding,
  • unsafe environment, such as failing to have a trained safety manager on duty, or
  • unsafe work practices, such as working too close to an overhead power line.

OSHA Regulations Commonly at Issue in Electrical Accidents Involving Installation of Wiring, Conductors or Optical Fiber Cable:

Electrical Substation Workers1910.335(a)(1)(i) Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.

1910.335(a)(2)(ii) Protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials shall be used to protect each employee from shock, burns, or other electrically related injuries while that employee is working near exposed energized parts which might be accidentally contacted or where dangerous electric heating or arcing might occur. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for maintenance or repair, they shall be guarded to protect unqualified persons from contact with the live parts.

1910.335(b)(1) Safety signs and tags. Safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags shall be used where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards which may endanger them, as required by 1910.145.

1910.333(c)(3)(i)(A) When an unqualified person is working in an elevated position near overhead lines, the location shall be such that the person and the longest conductive object he or she may contact cannot come closer to any unguarded, energized overhead line than the following distances:
(1) For voltages to ground 50kV or below – 10 feet;
(2) For voltages to ground over 50kV – 10 feet plus 4 inches for every 10kV over 50kV.

OSHA regulations such as the ones above are commonly at issue in electrical accident cases in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Those at risk of such accidents include: electrical and electronic engineers, assemblers and technicians, electricians, machine operators and welders.

In a workplace electrical accident case, there may be compensation over and above workers’ compensation. Proper and prompt investigation is crucial in any electrical accident case to maximize recovery.

Related Article: How to Hire the Best Workplace Accident Lawyer for Your PA or NJ Injury Case

To submit your case for review by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey electrical accident and injury lawyers, call Click To Call. Our lawyers are available for a free, no obligation legal consultation, and can obtain special admission in other states, such as New York or Delaware, on a case by case basis.

**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

Our electrical accident attorneys serve those injured in the following areas: Allegheny County, PA; Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lehigh County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Northampton County, PA: Philadelphia County, PA; Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; New Castle County, DE; Kent County, DE; Atlantic City, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Newark, NJ; Doylestown, PA; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; Norristown, PA; Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Newark, DE; Georgetown, DE; and New Castle, DE. Our lawyers can obtain special admission in other states on a case by case basis.