Electrical Fatality Rates in Japan, 2002-2011: New Preventive Measures for Fatal Electrical Accidents

The statistical results of the causes, body contact points, and company sizes for the workplace are reported for fatal electrical accidents from 2002 to 2011 in Japan in this article. The results show that 81% of all fatal accidents by electric shock occur when the company size is fewer than 50 workers. The assignment of a safety supervisor is not obligatory for a company of this size. Contact between a hand or tool and a charged object accounts for 58% of all fatal accidents. Most fatal accidents are caused when a hand contacts the low- or high-voltage segment of a live wire. A total of 7,569 workers died from electric shock accidents between 1959 and 2011 in Japan. The data show that wearing metal necklaces and other metal accessories increases the potential for accidents. Thus, a detailed analysis was performed to prevent such accidents. Knowledge about these fatal accidents is required to develop various protective devices and safety regulations and acts. The results of this study will be helpful in considering new preventive measures for electric shock.