Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, characteristics and burden of work-related electrical injuries in Victoria, Australia.Methods
This descriptive epidemiological study used coroner-reported fatalities (July 2018-December 2022), emergency department presentations and hospital admissions (July 2018-June 2024), and workers' compensation claims (July 2018-June 2023). People aged ≥15 years with a work-related electrical injury in the National Coronial Information System, Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset, Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset or National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics were included in the study. Outcomes were annual numbers and rates of work-related electrical injury per 100,000 workers, by age, sex, occupation and industry and injury type.Results
Ten electrical fatalities occurred (Conclusions
Work-related electrical injuries remain a preventable hazard, particularly for young men and manual workers.Implications for public health
Improved surveillance, targeted training and stronger regulation are needed to reduce electrical injury burden.