Last October, a company that performs work in crawlspaces failed to de-energize power lines before sending a worker to dig a shallow drainage trench. The worker died by electrocution. Deaths such as these remain all too common.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 152 workers in the United States died from electricity exposure in 2021. Research from the Energy Networks Association (ENA) shows nearly a third (31%) of tradespeople fail to check for underground cables. In addition to deaths, ENA reports an average of 70 workers a year suffer life-changing injuries after striking live underground power cables. Nearly half of these cases (47%) occur on construction sites, public highways, and in industrial buildings.
What were the main reasons tradespeople gave for not checking for underground electricity cables? They did not think they would dig deep enough to hit anything (24%), or did not believe it was their responsibility (15%).
Deaths and injuries are preventable with these steps:
1 Texas law requires you to contact 811 at least 48 hours before you dig.
Begin by marking the dig area with white spray paint or flags. Then call 811 or visit Texas811.org to submit a request to have all underground utilities marked. Electrical power lines, cables, conduits, and lighting cables will be marked with red flags. The electric provider will determine if the lines should be de-energized, grounded, or shielded. You may not begin digging until you have confirmed all utilities have been marked, and two business days have passed. Respect utility marks and dig with care around buried lines.
2 Provide safe digging training.
The depth of utility lines can change due to erosion, digging projects, or uneven surfaces. Train employees that they must contact 811, even on shallow digs or while digging with hand tools. Teach employees to leave a tolerance zone – usually 18 inches on either side of the outer edge of the underground utility – when digging. See Texas 811 FAQs for more safety training topics.
3 Use personal protective equipment (PPE).
PPE is required when working near electricity. This includes safety shoes, insulating rubber gloves with leather protectors, hard hats, safety glasses, and flame-resistant clothing. Depending on the job task, added PPE such as fall protection equipment and respirators may be required.
4 Identify permit-required confined spaces.
A “permit-required confined space” is a confined space with a hazard. Crawlspaces, cellars, and attics fit this definition if, for example, guards for electrical components need to be removed, exposing a worker to live parts. OSHA standards require contractors and employers to comply with regulations for permit-required confined spaces as outlined for construction and general industry.
5 Encourage reporting of unsafe conditions.
Employers need to create an environment where workers feel comfortable reporting unsafe conditions or potential hazards. Provide an anonymous reporting system or a designated person to hear employee concerns. Act quickly on reported issues and help make working environments safe for all.
For more information on digging safely, review DWC’s free excavation publications and streaming videos. DWC safety training specialists are also available to help meet your job training needs by contacting 800-252-7031, option 2, or SafetyTraining@tdi.texas.gov.