The Missing Layer of Electrical Safety on Jobsites
When it comes to jobsite safety, most contractors already enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), PPE requirements, and rigorous training. Yet, there is still a hidden risk that traditional safety measures often overlook: the unseen presence of electrical energy.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), between 2011 and 2023, there were 1,940 workplace fatalities involving electricity. Even more striking, 74% of those fatalities occurred in non-electrical occupations. Workers, such as laborers, roofers, HVAC technicians, and maintenance staff, may not have received extensive electrical safety training. These are the very people who assume equipment is de-energized, only to discover too late that it is not.
This is why forward-thinking contractors are turning to wearable voltage detection, and why the Proxxi Band is quickly becoming a game-changer in electrical safety.
Electrical Contact Is Still a Leading Cause of Injuries
Despite decades of progress in standards, training, and compliance, electrical contact remains a persistent threat on every jobsite. The latest ESFI report shows:
- 5.6% of all workplace fatalities from 2011–2023 were caused by contact with electricity.
- The construction industry had the highest number of electrical fatalities.
- Occupations most affected include electricians, construction laborers, tree trimmers, HVAC mechanics, roofers, truck drivers, and painters.
The reality is sobering: electrical hazards do not discriminate by job title. Even workers outside of traditional electrical trades face real risk, often without the benefit of advanced protective training or tools.
Traditional safeguards, such as PPE and LOTO, are critical, but they do not provide continuous awareness. Workers are only as safe as their procedures are perfect, and in high-pressure environments, that is a dangerous gamble.
Near Misses Are Underreported and Dangerous
For every fatality, there are dozens of near misses that go unreported. These incidents may not result in injury, but they are red-flag warnings that an accident was only moments away.
The ESFI notes that many fatalities stem from accidental contact, with workers unaware that nearby equipment or circuits were energized. Without real-time awareness, these near misses accumulate until one becomes a life-changing injury.
Contractors need technology that alerts workers before contact is made, a tool that makes the invisible visible.
From our recent webinar, Campbell Macdonald and Ryan Hobenshield shared how the Proxxi Band is already making a difference in the field. Crews have encountered equipment issues and had near misses that Proxxi has picked up, moments that could have resulted in contact injuries if not for the wristband.
The result? Safer workers, insights for customers, and opportunities for service teams, all while ensuring every worker goes home the same way they arrived.
Click here to watch the full webinar on demand.
How Proxxi Creates Real-Time Awareness
The Proxxi Band provides that missing layer of protection. Worn on the wrist, it continuously monitors for energized equipment and instantly alerts the worker. This creates real-time situational awareness, the difference between a near miss and a tragic incident.
This breakthrough approach to electrical safety is why the Proxxi Band was named a 2025 NECA Showstopper Award winner. Attendees on the show floor voted Proxxi as one of the most innovative technologies shaping the future of safety.
By equipping teams with Proxxi, contractors can be confident their people are backed not just by policies and procedures, but by always-on technology designed for the realities of the jobsite.
The Impact on Safety Culture and Productivity
Safety culture is more than avoiding OSHA citations. It is about building trust, professionalism, and accountability. When workers know their employer invests in the latest protective technologies, morale improves, accidents decrease, and productivity rises.
Proxxi not only protects individuals but also generates valuable data. Each alert represents a potential near miss that has been captured and understood, offering contractors insight into hidden risks before they escalate into downtime, claims, or worse.
In other words, Proxxi not only keeps workers safe, it makes businesses smarter and more resilient.
Ready to Experience Proxxi?
Electrical hazards may be invisible, but the solution does not have to be. Request a pilot kit or demo of Proxxi Band and take the first step toward a safer, smarter, and more productive jobsite.
Stay SAFE, and have a GREAT week!
