The report is based on findings from the Electric Shock Survey, a recent Electrical Training Trust (ETT) study to understand the frequency and culture of reporting electric shocks at work.

It’s a massive concern that of those who have experienced an electric shock, 89% sustained an injury and almost all (95%) required time off work.

This statistic highlights the severity and impact of such incidents on a person’s life and livelihood.

Despite the frequency of electric shock incidents, almost three-quarters were not reported to employers.

The charity has termed this trend of underreporting ‘shock silence’. The survey found that company culture, ineffective reporting procedures, and time pressures were the three most common reasons staff failed to report an electric shock at work.

Respondents expressed an alarming sentiment that ‘quick jabs’ or ‘small shocks’ are not very serious, and in many ways have come to be viewed as part of the job.

We must change this mindset, which is dangerous and potentially life-threatening—not only for electrical workers but also for clients and the wider public.

The report includes several health, safety, workplace culture, electrical safety equipment and procedures, education, training, awareness, and apprenticeship development recommendations.

These include ensuring electrical safety equipment is readily available and affordable, creating an environment where all team members respect and value safety concerns and standardising electrical safety and electric shock prevention training across all apprenticeship programmes and apprentice training providers.

NAPIT backs these proposals and looks forward to being a part the industry-supported action plan to develop these recommendations.

Frank Bertie, managing director at NAPIT said: “The findings of the Electrical Shock Survey are unsettling. More must be done to address ‘Shock Silence’ and prevent injuries and, in some cases, fatalities.”