Classification of fatal occupational electrocutions.

The objective of this study was to describe fatal occupational electrocutions that occurred in Quebec between 1981 and 1988 and propose a classification suitable for setting up a prevention agenda. Of 63 fatalities, an investigation report was available in 57 (90.5%). They all occurred among males, 70.2% of whom were under the age of 35; 49.1% were performing a task related to the construction sector. A principal factor analysis allowed classification of 90.2% of the fatalities in two categories: victims assigned to electrical tasks indoors and those assigned to non-electrical tasks outdoors. The first group (56.5% of the cases) were electrocuted by direct contact with voltage less than 10 Kvolts and the second by the intermediary of a vector with voltage above 10 Kvolts. The identification of the two patterns of electrocutions provided an additional argument for shifting recommendations for prevention from educating the workers, to reducing the electrical hazards at the source.