Statistical accident analysis and electrical fatality rate in Japan, 2002–2011 - Causes and preventive measures of fatal electrical accidents

Among the occupational accidents, over 7,400 electrical fatalities occurred between 1958 and 2003 in Japan. Approximately 60% of all electrical fatalities occur at work in the construction industry, which includes the electrical construction industry. If the number of electrical fatalities in the construction industry is reduced, almost all fatalities are eliminated. The number of annual fatalities has never been zero, but it has slowly decreased. We cannot reduce it further if the technology of insulating safeguards and safety training is not improved. In previous studies, we reported the electrical fatality rate by industry and the type of fatal accidents in Japan from 1974-2003. This analyses were performed using of data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and the Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association (JISHA). In addition, some preventive measures and the number of monthly fatalities were reported. These results are useful for us to prevent the fatal accidents caused by the occurrence of electric shock. In the present paper, we report the statistical results of the details of causes, contacted part of the human body, company size, and so on for fatal electrical accidents during 2002-2011 in Japan. The results show that almost all fatal accidents by electric shock occur when the company size is fewer than 50 workers. The use of metal necklaces and other metal accessories increases the number of possible accidents. Thus, a detailed analysis is performed to prevent such accidents. The results of the present study will be helpful to consider new preventive measures of electric shock.