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More Than 400 Workers Have Died on Construction Sites Due to Electric Shocks, According to the Abracope Report
One of the most dangerous places for accidents due to electric shocks is the construction site. According to a report by Abracopel (Brazilian Association for Awareness of the Dangers of Electricity), between 2013 and 2020, 446 construction professionals (masons and helpers) lost their lives in such accidents.
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This occurs because many constructions do not meet the minimum safety requirements stipulated by the current regulations in Brazil. These are the infamous “gambiarra” setups that endanger the lives of these professionals, whether due to a mindset of “this will never happen to me” or even cost-cutting on safety equipment.
For electrical engineer Fábio Amaral, director of Engerey Electric Panels, there are some simple and not overly “expensive” measures that can be taken at any construction site to minimize the risk of electric shock.
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The Main Cause of Deaths Due to Electric Shocks in Construction Works
The main one is the use of a circuit box for construction sites. It provides the necessary safety for professionals to work calmly, as it is built within the safety standards established by law and has devices that prevent most types of accidents.
These panels have protection provided by circuit breakers that “trip” at any sign of overload or short circuit. Furthermore, they can have additional devices that enhance safety, such as the RCD (Residual Current Device) and the SPD (Surge Protective Device), which channel surge currents caused by overvoltages to the grounding system.
“At Engerey, for example, all circuit boxes meet the regulatory standards NR10, NR12, and NR18, which determine safety in electrical services and installations,” says Fábio Amaral.
No More Gambiarra
The company provides various types of panels that can be used in large projects or even by independent professionals performing repair services. There are also compact ones, with handles and wheels that facilitate transport and are easily installed.
Weighing around 7 kilograms and measuring 40x30x20 centimeters, they have three industrial outlets of 220V, with two bifacial ones of 16 A and one trifacial of 32 A, and four outlets NBR 1413, two of 110 volts and two of 220. It is the ideal choice for professionals who move between various worksites.
Even with all these conveniences, Fábio Amaral says that the most complicated part is changing the mindset of professionals. Even with legal requirements, many prefer to rely on luck rather than invest a little more in safety.
“Sometimes we need a specific repair at home and the professional creates a mess to connect their equipment, such as saws, drills, or even a concrete mixer, which not only compromises the home’s electrical network but can also cause a larger accident,” emphasizes the Engerey director.
This was one of the reasons for the campaign launched by Engerey with the slogan “No More Gambiarra”. An accident caused by electrical overload on a construction site can, besides costing the lives of professionals, trigger a massive fire.
“With a circuit box, in addition to reducing safety risks, the equipment will have a longer lifespan and minimized risk of burning out. In the end, this investment generates savings,” reinforces the engineer.
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