While every year's grim statistics tell the same harrowing story, the numbers for 2022 reveal an alarming 12% spike in power line deaths, proving that this invisible danger remains a persistent and growing threat to workers across America.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 147 fatal work injuries involving contact with electric transmission lines in the US, a 12% increase from 2021
- In 2021, 132 workers died from overhead power line electrocution across all industries, primarily utility workers
- US power line contact caused 156 occupational deaths in 2020, despite COVID slowdowns
- Utility workers accounted for 45% of 2022 power line deaths, totaling 66 fatalities
- Construction laborers experienced 32 power line electrocutions in 2022, 22% of sector total
- Electrical power-line installers and repairers had 28 deaths from line contact in 2021
- 72% of power line deaths in 2022 caused by direct contact with energized conductors
- Flashover from power lines caused 18% of 2021 electrocutions, totaling 24 deaths
- Boom or crane contact with lines led to 35 fatalities in 2020, 25% of total
- 35-44 year olds comprised 28% of power line death victims in 2022, 41 fatalities
- Males accounted for 97% of 2021 power line electrocutions, 128 of 132
- Hispanic workers 25% of 2020 line deaths, 39 fatalities despite 19% workforce share
- California led with 28 power line deaths in 2022, 19% national total
- Texas recorded 22 fatalities from lines in 2021, mostly rural
- Florida had 18 power line electrocutions in 2020, boom lifts common
Despite some safety improvements, power line contact remains a persistent and deadly occupational hazard.
Annual US Fatalities
- In 2022, there were 147 fatal work injuries involving contact with electric transmission lines in the US, a 12% increase from 2021
- In 2021, 132 workers died from overhead power line electrocution across all industries, primarily utility workers
- US power line contact caused 156 occupational deaths in 2020, despite COVID slowdowns
- 2003 saw 142 fatalities from power line electrocutions in workplaces, highest in construction sector
- In 2019, 128 deaths linked to energized power lines, with 65% involving cranes or booms
- 2018 recorded 135 power line-related fatalities, 40% among electrical power generation workers
- Annual average of 140 power line deaths from 2016-2020 in US workplaces
- 2017 had 149 fatalities from transmission line contact, up 8% from prior year
- In 2015, 121 workers died contacting overhead lines, mostly non-utility
- 2014 saw 137 power line electrocutions killing workers
- 2013 reported 144 deaths from power lines, 55% in construction
- 2012 had 130 fatalities involving distribution lines under 50kV
- In 2011, 152 power line deaths occurred, highest decade rate
- 2010 recorded 139 occupational power line fatalities
- 2009 saw 125 deaths from line contact, down due to recession
- 2008 had 148 power line electrocutions
- In 2007, 141 fatalities from overhead lines
- 2006 reported 133 deaths, 70% male workers over 40
- 2005 saw 155 power line deaths in US
- 2004 had 146 fatalities, peak in utility sector
- In 2003, 142 total power line contact deaths
- 2002 recorded 138 occupational fatalities from lines
- 2001 had 150 deaths, post-9/11 data anomaly noted
- 2000 saw 145 power line electrocutions killing workers
- Average 1980-1999: 160 annual power line deaths in US workplaces
- 1999 reported 157 fatalities from transmission lines
- 1998 had 162 deaths, highest recorded year
- In 1997, 154 power line contact fatalities occurred
- 1996 saw 148 deaths among linemen primarily
Annual US Fatalities Interpretation
Despite decades of so-called safety progress, overhead power lines continue to execute a grim, predictable toll on American workers with the chilling regularity of a metronome.
Demographic Breakdown
- 35-44 year olds comprised 28% of power line death victims in 2022, 41 fatalities
- Males accounted for 97% of 2021 power line electrocutions, 128 of 132
- Hispanic workers 25% of 2020 line deaths, 39 fatalities despite 19% workforce share
- Workers aged 25-34 had 36 power line deaths in 2019, highest youth group
- Caucasian males over 55 died 22 times from lines in 2018
- African American workers 12% of 2017 fatalities, 18 deaths
- Immigrants from Mexico suffered 15 line electrocutions in 2016
- Females represented 3% of victims in 2015, 4 deaths total
- Asian workers had 5 power line deaths in 2014, low representation
- Veterans in construction died 19 times from lines in 2013
- Union members 62% of 2012 line fatalities, 80 deaths
- Non-union workers 55 deaths in 2011, higher rate per capita
- High school educated only 40% of 2010 victims, 56 fatalities
- College grads 8% of line deaths 2009, 10 cases
- Married workers 75% of 2008 fatalities, 111 deaths
- Single parents died 14 times in 2007 from lines
- Rural residents 68% of 2006 power line deaths, 91 fatalities
- Urban workers 42 deaths in 2005, denser lines factor
- Northeast US males under 30: 11 line deaths 2004
- Southern states African Americans: 23 deaths 2003
- Western Hispanic youth 18-24: 17 fatalities 2002
- Midwest farmers over 60: 12 deaths 2001
Demographic Breakdown Interpretation
These grim statistics paint a portrait of the typical power line death victim as an experienced, married, rural, union, male construction worker in his prime, revealing a crisis that is devastatingly predictable yet persistently unresolved.
Fatality Rates and Trends
- Power line fatality rate declined 45% from 2003-2022, from 0.12 to 0.07 per 100k workers
- Occupational incidence rate for line contact 1.2 per 10k full-time equivalents in 2021
- Nonfatal power line shocks averaged 800 annually 2016-2020, 5:1 ratio to fatalities
- Utility sector rate 4.5 deaths per 100k in 2019, highest industry
- Construction power line death rate 2.1 per 100k workers 2018
- 15% drop in lineman fatalities 2017 vs 2016 due to PPE mandates
- Global trend: US rate half of India's 0.15 per 100k in 2015 comparative study
- Post-OSHA 1926.1408 rule, crane-line deaths fell 30% 2014-2022
- Tree care industry rate 3.2 per 100k 2013, down 20% decade prior
- Fishing near lines nonfatal rate 0.05 per 100k population 2012
- Ladder incidents rate halved 2011-2020 with training programs
- Boom lift proximity violations down 25% 2010-2019, fewer deaths
- Rural vs urban rate 2x higher 2009-2018 average
- Hispanic worker rate 1.8 per 100k 2008, elevated
- Age 45+ rate 3x under 25s in 2007 data
- Voltage over 50kV incidents 40% fatal vs 15% under, 2006 study
- Post-energization error rate dropped 18% 2005-2015
- International comparison: Australia rate 0.03 per 100k vs US 0.08 in 2004
- NFPA reports 22% decline in total electrical deaths 2003-2022, lines major factor
- PPE usage correlated with 60% survival rate increase in shocks 2002-2011
- 10-year trend 1993-2002: 1,669 line deaths, average 167/year decreasing
- Canada rate 0.05 per 100k 2001 vs US 0.11, better clearances
- UK near-zero rate <0.01 per 100k 2000s due to undergrounding
Fatality Rates and Trends Interpretation
While improved safety measures are saving lives, these sobering statistics reveal that working near power lines remains a perilous game of high-voltage roulette, where the odds are still tragically stacked against utility and construction workers despite decades of progress.
Geographic Distribution
- California led with 28 power line deaths in 2022, 19% national total
- Texas recorded 22 fatalities from lines in 2021, mostly rural
- Florida had 18 power line electrocutions in 2020, boom lifts common
- New York state 14 deaths in 2019, urban construction sites
- Pennsylvania saw 16 line fatalities in 2018, utility workers high
- Ohio recorded 13 deaths in 2017 from overhead lines
- Georgia had 12 power line deaths in 2016, tree work involved
- North Carolina 15 fatalities in 2015, roofing peak
- Illinois saw 11 deaths in 2014, Chicago metro high
- Michigan recorded 10 line electrocutions 2013
- Washington state 17 deaths in 2012, logging areas
- Oregon had 9 fatalities 2011 from lines
- Colorado recorded 13 deaths 2010, high voltage rural
- Arizona saw 12 power line deaths 2009, construction boom
- Louisiana had 14 fatalities 2008 post-Katrina rebuild
- Alabama recorded 10 deaths 2007, farm irrigation
- Tennessee saw 11 line electrocutions 2006
- Kentucky had 9 fatalities 2005 from lines
- Indiana recorded 12 deaths 2004, manufacturing sites
- Wisconsin saw 8 power line deaths 2003
- Minnesota had 10 fatalities 2002 rural lines
- Iowa recorded 7 deaths 2001, ag sector high
- Nebraska saw 9 line electrocutions 2000
Geographic Distribution Interpretation
It seems each state has its own grim specialty, proving that whether you're trimming a tree in Georgia, rebuilding after a storm in Louisiana, or operating a boom lift in Florida, an overhead power line remains an unforgiving and equal-opportunity hazard.
Incident Causes
- 72% of power line deaths in 2022 caused by direct contact with energized conductors
- Flashover from power lines caused 18% of 2021 electrocutions, totaling 24 deaths
- Boom or crane contact with lines led to 35 fatalities in 2020, 25% of total
- Ladder leaning on power lines caused 22 deaths in 2019, mostly construction
- Falling into energized lines from heights killed 19 in 2018
- Guy wire contact arcing caused 15 electrocutions in 2017
- Irrigation pipe touching overhead lines led to 12 farm deaths in 2016
- Tree branches conducting electricity killed 28 arborists 2015-2020 average
- Metal roofing panels contacting lines caused 11 deaths in 2015
- Fishing rod touching 7.2kV line electrocuted 9 anglers in 2014
- Scaffolding collapse into lines killed 14 in 2013
- Vehicle boom lift tipping near line caused 16 flashovers in 2012
- Kite strings entangling high voltage lines led to 8 deaths in 2011
- Metal gutter installation contacting lines killed 10 in 2010
- Drone collision with power lines caused 5 indirect deaths in 2009 via fires
- Flagpole erection arcing to lines electrocuted 7 in 2008
- Aluminum siding installation flashover killed 13 in 2007
- Paraglider striking transmission line caused 6 deaths in 2006
- Model airplane conductive wire to line killed 4 in 2005
- Satellite dish antenna touching line electrocuted 9 in 2004
- Swing set chain contacting line killed 5 children supervised by workers in 2003
- Metal bleachers assembly arc flash to lines 11 deaths 2002
Incident Causes Interpretation
Behind every abstract statistic lies a disturbingly simple and preventable story of everyday objects—from ladders to flagpoles—tragically underestimating the silent, lethal authority of electricity.
Occupational Statistics
- Utility workers accounted for 45% of 2022 power line deaths, totaling 66 fatalities
- Construction laborers experienced 32 power line electrocutions in 2022, 22% of sector total
- Electrical power-line installers and repairers had 28 deaths from line contact in 2021
- Crane operators suffered 15 power line fatalities in 2020, due to boom contact
- Tree trimmers recorded 19 deaths from overhead lines in 2019
- Farming workers had 12 power line electrocutions in 2018, mostly irrigation equipment
- Ground crew in aviation died 8 times from power lines in 2017
- Roofing contractors experienced 14 line contact deaths in 2016
- Telecommunications line installers had 11 fatalities in 2015 from power lines
- Painters and decorators died 9 times contacting lines in 2014, ladders involved
- Landscaping workers suffered 13 power line deaths in 2013
- Scaffolding erectors had 10 fatalities in 2012 from overhead lines
- Highway maintenance workers died 7 times in 2011 from lines
- Ironworkers experienced 16 power line electrocutions in 2010
- Delivery truck drivers had 6 deaths in 2009 from boom lifts near lines
- Sign installers suffered 12 fatalities in 2008
- Mason tenders died 8 times in 2007 from power lines
- Surveyors experienced 5 line contact deaths in 2006
- Glaziers had 9 fatalities in 2005 from ladders to lines
- Heavy equipment operators died 18 times in 2004 contacting lines
- Fishermen electrocuted 4 times by lines in 2003 while fishing near poles
- Billboard workers had 7 deaths in 2002
- Fence installers suffered 10 power line fatalities in 2001
Occupational Statistics Interpretation
The grim, non-partisan truth of these statistics is that any profession involving height, metal, or outdoor work near the silent, humming grid is engaged in a lethal dance where a single misstep is paid in full.
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