A total of 4,679 workers were killed on the job in 2014 — that’s an average of 13 deaths every day — according to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Additionally, fatal work injuries involving contractors accounted for 17 percent of all fatal work injuries in 2014. Of all causes, falls and electrocutions were deemed the most common.
Paul Sammataro, owner of Samm’s Heating & Air Conditioning in Plano, Texas, said electrocution is a concern for HVAC contractors everywhere, but especially in Texas. “We have a greater risk [of electrocution] in Texas due to sweating and dealing with electrical components. We’re always talking [to our employees] about the dangers of electrocution and making sure they’re verifying that all the links of power are off on a particular system. Water and electricity don’t mix, and when you’re soaking wet [from sweat], electrocution is a very real danger.”