is paid out by the Compensation Fund and Rand Mutual Assurance to address occupational injuries and diseases in South Africa. This statistic highlights the pressing need for improved health and safety practices in workplaces across the country. This is because unfortunately, many of these accidents are caused by overlooked hazards.of death in the country. With this in mind, he urges employers to consider this and ensure that protective measures are in place.
“Electrical hazards can cause shocks, leading to a variety of injuries including burns, damage to internal organs, and muscle spasms. They can also result in secondary injuries from falls due to involuntary muscle contractions, especially dangerous while working on elevated platforms like ladders and scaffolds,” he adds.
“Moreover, electrical safety threats can cause fires and explosions which may produce even greater harm to persons and property in the vicinity. Even something as innocuous as an incorrectly wired plug could be dangerous.”Below, he outlines five of the most common causes of electrical accidents in the workplace and how they could be mitigated: Under normal conditions, electricity flows in a closed circuit, traveling from the live to the neutral conductor.
“Injuries to personnel, damage to property, and insurance expenses alone will cost a company more than preventative measures ever will. These accidents can cause life-altering injuries or fatalities, making prevention not just a financial decision, but a moral imperative. Investing in mitigating electrical accidents now could save lives now and, in the future,” concludes Dr Dickson.