Electricity and Accidents at Work

Electricity can be a lethal ingredient in a work accident. There are approximately 30 fatal accidents at work each year that involve electricity, and about a thousand more that are less serious. The risk is higher when working outside or in wet conditions, but there is an element of risk anywhere with electrical equipment.

Employers have a duty to protect their employees from such electrical accidents, both by ensuring the equipment is safe and by ensuring their employees are appropriately trained in the use of electrical equipment.

Any work accident involving electricity that causes a serious accident must be reported in line with the RIDDOR regulations.  Any accident which results in a fatality or a serious enough injury for normal work not to be possible for 3 days must be reported under the RIDDOR guidelines. Similarly, any electrical overload or short circuit that causes a fire or an explosion, whether or not it results in an injury to anyone, should be reported.

If you have been involved in an accident with electricity and you feel that your employer has been negligent you may be able to make a claim for personal injury.  As a first step you should seek the advice of a Personal Injury lawyer.