While many workers understand the general risk of electrical shock or electrocution, fewer are aware of the specific electrical dangers present in their daily work environment. This lack of awareness increases vulnerability to serious incidents.
The most frequent electrical hazards include:
- Contact with power lines
- Lack of ground-fault protection
- Missing or discontinuous paths to ground
- Improper use of equipment
- Misuse of extension and flexible cords
Even components that seem low-risk may be located near circuits with potentially deadly energy levels.
A minor shock can cause serious secondary injuries. For example, an involuntary reaction might lead to dropping a tool into a live circuit or falling, which can result in bruises, fractures, or even fatalities.
How Electric Shock Occurs
Electric shock happens when the body becomes part of an electrical circuit. Current must enter at one point and exit at another, typically occurring in one of three ways:
- Contact with both wires of an energized circuit
- Contact with one wire of an energized circuit and the ground
- Touching a metallic surface energized by a live conductor
Tools and machines with damaged insulation can energize their metal parts. Proper grounding using a low-resistance wire directs unwanted current to the ground, reducing the risk of electric shock. If grounding is insufficient, shock can occur when the equipment is handled.
Key Electrical Terms to Know
- Current: Movement of electrical charge
- Electrical Shock: Sudden electrical discharge through the body, potentially causing injury
- Electrocution: Fatal electrical shock
- Resistance: Opposition to electrical flow
- Voltage: Electrical force measurement
- Conductors: Materials that allow electricity to flow easily
- Insulators: Materials that resist electrical flow
- Grounding: A protective connection to the earth
While pure water is a poor conductor, impurities like salt, acid, or solvents can turn it into one. Similarly, dry wood and human skin are natural insulators but become conductive when wet. Workers in damp environments must take extra precautions to prevent accidents.
Electric shocks vary in severity, ranging from mild tingling to cardiac arrest. The outcome depends on:
- The amount of current
- The currentâs path through the body
- Duration of exposure
- The frequency of the current
Severe shocks can cause internal damage, including hemorrhages, tissue destruction, nerve injuries, and burns, which are the most common shock-related injury. Even a small current passing through critical areas like the heart or lungs can be fatal.
If a shock occurs:
- Seek emergency medical assistance immediately.
- Take precautions to avoid further injury while helping the victim.
Electrical stimulation can cause muscles to contract, making the person unable to break contact with the live circuit. This prolonged exposure increases injury risk and lowers the bodyâs resistance as blisters form.
To help someone âfrozenâ to a live current:
- Turn off the power source immediately.
- If this isnât possible, use nonconductive materials like wooden poles or boards to safely push or pull them away.
Always prioritize your safety while assisting others. Even low voltage can be hazardous under certain conditions. Recognizing and addressing electrical hazards is essential for a safe workplace. Awareness, proper equipment use, and emergency readiness can significantly reduce the risks of electrical injuries.
