Ontario 2008 Electrical Safety Report

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) has worked with other organizations to gather information on electrical fires, deaths and incidents across the province of Ontario, Canada. The culmination of this data is presented in the Ontario Electrical Safety Report that is produced annually. The ESA uses this report to identify the areas where it should focus its prevention, inspection and enforcement activities, making its action transparent to the people of Ontario.

Summary of Findings
• The electrocution rate in Ontario is steadily declining
• The fire fatality rate has declined; electrical and cooking fire incidents have declined
• A significant decrease in powerline contact deaths but an increase in crime-related fatalities involving distribution-related equipment and powerlines
• Occupational deaths continue to account for more than half of the electrocution deaths; the prevalence of occupational deaths has actually increased in the last five years in spite of only two occupational deaths occurring in 2008.

Priority Safety Issues
ESA priority safety issues can be summed up as follows:
• Reducing occupational powerline contact
• Reducing serious injuries to the electrical trade
• Reducing stovetop fires and fatalities
• Reducing distribution fires

Emerging issues
• Streetlighting –incidents involving streetlight assets have caused injuries and fatalities to pets and shock to pedestrians and pet owners.
• Aging utility infrastructure – increased number of incidents involving equipment in close proximity to public domain.
• Information gap resulting in inadequate powerline clearance when constructing new buildings.
• Fatalities associated with theft of copper and power – two deaths in the last two years were criminally-related.
• Re-emergence of 347V lighting fatalities involving disconnection and repair of ballasts – two fatalities in the last two years.

The Full Report (note that this file is 16.57 MG and, depending on your internet speed, may take some time to open):
Electrical Safety in Ontario - 2008 Report