Trystan Casey
Electrical injuries are a complex form of trauma that can result from lightning, low-voltage, or high-voltage exposure. Electricians are particularly vulnerable to electrical injuries, with electric shocks and electrocutions being the most common incidents. Electric shocks are characterised by burns, abnormal heart rhythms, and unconsciousness, while electrocution often results in death. Other electrical injuries include nerve damage, lacerations, and falls from elevations or ladders. These injuries can occur due to contact with power lines, lack of ground-fault protection, improper use of equipment, or poor maintenance of electrical equipment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric shock, electrocution |
| Cause | Contact with power lines, lack of ground-fault protection, path to ground missing or discontinuous, equipment not used in the manner prescribed, improper use of extension and flexible cords |
| Symptoms | Burns, abnormal heart rhythms, unconsciousness, nerve damage, lacerations, death |
| Severity | High morbidity and mortality, fourth-leading cause of workplace-related traumatic death |
| Treatment | Medical care, workers' compensation benefits |
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What You'll Learn
Electric shock
Electricians face numerous risks on the job, and electrical injuries are a complex form of trauma that can lead to high morbidity and mortality. Electric shock is the most common electrical injury suffered by electricians. It occurs when an electrical current passes over or through a person's body and is characterised by burns, abnormal heart rhythms, and unconsciousness.
The severity of electric shock depends on the type of current, the voltage, and the resistance. Alternating current (AC) is found in household electrical outlets and changes direction rhythmically, while direct current (DC) is found in most batteries and constantly flows in one direction. AC is more damaging than DC and can cause tetany, making it difficult for the affected individual to release the current source. The length of exposure to AC also tends to be longer, increasing the risk of harm.
In addition to electric shocks and burns, falls while working with or near electrical equipment are also common. This includes falls from ladders or scaffolding and falls onto energised electrical equipment. It is important to be aware of potential electrical hazards and take precautions to protect oneself from injury.
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Electrocution
The heart is most often affected if the current travels from hand to leg or hand to hand across the body, potentially resulting in a fatal arrhythmia. Electrical burns are a common type of injury, and they can be serious, requiring extensive medical treatment. Shrapnel from flash burns is another common electrical injury that occurs when an object or person is close to an energised electrical source and is subjected to high-intensity light or heat. This can cause objects or pieces of skin to be shot away, similar to shrapnel, and can also lead to blindness.
Overhead and buried power lines carry extremely high voltages, making them especially hazardous. Using tools and equipment that can come into contact with power lines increases the risk of electrocution. It is important to be aware of potential electrical hazards and take precautions to protect oneself. Working near power lines requires staying at least 10 feet away, de-energising and grounding lines, and using non-conductive wood or fibreglass ladders.
In addition to electrocution, other electrical injuries include falls while working with or near electrical equipment, lacerations, and nerve damage. These injuries can occur in various settings, such as at home, work, or outdoors, and may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Electrical injuries are a complex form of trauma with high morbidity and mortality rates, and they require careful evaluation and treatment by an interprofessional team.
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Electrical burns
Electricians often face a number of risks on the job, with electrical injuries and fatalities being common in the electrical industry. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), 126 workers were killed due to exposure to electricity in 2020.
An electrical burn occurs when a person comes into contact with electricity. An electric shock is a current that passes through a person's body, causing electrical burns where the current enters and exits. Electrical burns can range from first-degree to third-degree burns and may cause internal damage to organs, including the heart, which may begin irregular rhythms or shut down.
The severity of an electrical shock depends on the voltage and the type of current. High-voltage shocks, or direct current (DC) flowing in one direction, tend to cause more damage. Alternating current (AC), which periodically switches direction, is more widely used and thus more frequently causes electrical burns and shocks.
If you witness someone experiencing an electrical shock or burn, you should remove the source of electricity if it is safe to do so, check for breathing, perform CPR if necessary, and watch for signs of shock. Electrical burns can be serious, and it is crucial to prioritise safety and seek medical help when needed.
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Nerve damage
Electricians are prone to various injuries due to their constant exposure to electrical machinery and power lines. Electric shock is the most common electrical injury they face. An electric shock occurs when an electrical current passes over or through a person's body. The injury depends on the density of the current, tissue resistance, and duration of contact.
Electric shocks can cause nerve damage, also referred to as neuropathy, at the site where the current entered the body. Proprioceptive nerves are the most prone to damage, followed by nerves involved in touch, pressure, motor function, pain, and temperature. The neurologic symptoms of electrical injury may occur immediately or be delayed by days to years. Acute CNS complications are well-recognized and carry an increased risk of morbidity, whereas peripheral nervous system complications are less predictable. Delayed neurological consequences of electrical injury have a worse prognosis.
Electrical injuries can cause immediate or delayed neurological issues like seizures, CNS disorders, and PTSD, increasing morbidity and mortality. The severity of the electrical injury is not necessarily proportional to the source voltage, visible burns, loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, or neuroimaging findings. However, high-voltage injury generally results in a greater degree of acute injury.
In severe cases of electrical contact injury, a survivor's injured muscles can swell massively, leading to a condition called "compartment syndrome." This is caused by increased local extracellular pressures, which compromise the blood supply to the affected muscle and diminish the oxygen supply. With hypoxia, further metabolic compromise and tissue destruction may result, leading to neuronal injury, further vascular compromise, and possible gangrene.
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Central nervous system (CNS) damage
Electric shock is the most common electrical injury, generally characterised by burns, abnormal heart rhythms, and unconsciousness. Electricians, for instance, often face this risk on the job. When electricity comes into contact with the human body, it can cause serious injury and even death. One of the most vulnerable systems in the body is the nervous system.
- Brain damage: This can lead to memory loss, difficulty with speech and language, and changes in behaviour and personality.
- Seizures: Electrical damage to the brain can cause seizures in some cases.
- Spinal cord damage: The spinal cord transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis or loss of sensation in the affected areas.
- Nerve damage: Nerves transmit signals throughout the body, and their damage can cause numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness.
- Neurodegenerative diseases: Electrical damage to the nervous system has been linked to an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
- Delayed indirect effects: These can include denervation hypersensitivity, ephaptic transmission, oxidative reactions, and aberrant neuronal sprouting.
- Psychological impacts: Electrical injuries can cause PTSD, increasing morbidity and mortality.
It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention for electrical injuries to minimise damage to the nervous system and prevent long-term consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Electrical injuries are a complex form of trauma that is often associated with high morbidity and mortality. The most common electrical injury is an electric shock, which is caused by an electrical current passing over or through a person's body. This can result in burns, abnormal heart rhythms, and unconsciousness.
Other common electrical injuries include electrocution, nerve damage, lacerations, and shrapnel from flash burns. Electrocution occurs when an electrical current passes through a person's body and often results in death. Flash burns occur when an object or person is close to an energized electrical source and is suddenly subjected to high-intensity light or heat, causing objects or pieces of skin to be shot away.
The main causes of electrical injuries include contact with power lines, lack of ground-fault protection, a missing or discontinuous path to the ground, improper use of equipment, and improper use of extension and flexible cords. Overhead and buried power lines are especially hazardous as they carry extremely high voltages.
