Technology and science have made homes (and workplaces) more comfortable and pleasant. People often overlook electricity as it is omnipresent to illuminate homes and operate appliances and gadgets. However, as beneficial electrical currents are to illuminate homes, workplaces, and streets, they can also cause severe injuries; and sometimes these injuries can be fatal. Injuries Due to Electrical Current The human body is a better conductor of electricity than many materials around us. Hence, if electricity does not find a path, it will course through your body, wreaking havoc, as you end up becoming a part of the electrical circuit. Electrical current can result in four types of injuries – electrocution, which is usually fatal; electric shock; falls; and burns. These injuries can occur in different situations. Direct Contact: When the body comes in direct contact with a circuit part or an energized conductor, electric current flows through the body. It impedes the normal electrical signal between the muscles and the brain, resulting in problems like muscle spasms, or stoppage of lung or heart function. Electrical Arc Contact: Overhead power lines or energized conductors that are exposed often create electricity arcs. These arcs can jump onto a person, who is grounded, as the body provides another route for the electric current to flow into the ground. This can result in thermal burns. These burns can be minimal on the surface, but extensive under the skin. The ultraviolet and infrared rays emitted from an electrical arc can damage the retina, leading to temporary or permanent blindness. Arc Blast: When an arc flash occurs, there can be a pressure wave that can cause injuries. Besides causing you to fall off a ladder and sustain severe injuries, the blast can damage your eardrum, cause painful muscle contractions, and even lead to your lungs collapsing, thereby stopping your breathing. Statistics by Electrical Safety Foundation International, a non-profit organization that promotes electrical safety in North American workplaces and homes, show that in 2010, there were 163 fatal injuries in American workplaces, with construction trades workers, like electricians, roofers, carpenters, and construction laborers being the most susceptible to sustaining electrical injuries. These statistics drive home the importance of having and following electrical safety measures, be it at home or in the workplace. The Legal Side Be informed that there’s a legal side to electrocution. If you or someone you know happen to involve in an electrical accident (often termed as electrocution) and if the accident occurred due to a negligence or a fault from the power line distribution company, then in such cases you can take legal actions against the power distribution company. The victim is eligible for a monetary compensation in such cases. There are attorney firms like the Law Office of Jeffrey H Fieldman which focus and specialize in electrocution cases alone in the United States. Signs of Electrical Hazards Before an electrical problem occurs, you will get several signs. It is imperative you pay heed to these signs. Otherwise, you risk an electrical shock or even an electrical fire. Some of the most common signs of an electrical hazard are as follows: Dim, surging and/or flickering lights Breakers tend to frequently trip Fuses are constantly blowing out Switches and/or fuses are hot to touch Plug outlets do not work even after resetting the breaker or replacing the fuse A hot, plastic burning odor If you notice one or more of these signs, you should immediately get in touch with a licensed electrician, who can evaluate and determine the cause and then suggest the aptest solution. Electrical Safety Rules While you may feel you know... read more
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