One thousand deaths occur each year from electrical burns, with an additional 30,000 electrical injuries occurring. Many of these deaths happen in the workplace.
In the United States, household electricity is usually 110 volts or up to 240 volts for major appliances. By comparison, industrial power can be as high as 100,000 volts.
Understanding Electrical Burns
An electrical burn occurs when an energetic current travels through the body. Electricity is energy in motion. Electrons flow through a conductor. When electricity meets the body, it can cause electrical burns, organ damage, cardiac arrest, and body system complications. These injuries may be fatal.
Common Types of Electrical Burns in Workplace Settings
Flash
A flash electrical burn results from electricity touching or coming near the skin. Direct electrical contact is not required for a flash burn; an electrical charge in the nearby air can be enough.
The rapid expansion of air and power can cause an energetic explosion, and being near the blast can cause external skin burns. In addition, a person may suffer internal damage if they inhale hot gas and vapor.
Flame
When electricity creates a fire, a victim may suffer a flame injury and burn. Electrical current does not necessarily touch the skin when a flame burn occurs. The flame can set something on fire near the skin, such as clothing. Flame burns from electrical sources range in severity and may penetrate to internal tissues and body systems.
Lightning
Lightning is usually a very short spurt of electrical current, possibly only fractions of a second.
However, the electrical current is extremely high, and it can flow through the entire body.
True
An electrical burn is true when the current itself travels through the body. The body is part of the electrical flow. In the body, the electrical current converts to heat, causing harm.
Ways electrical burns happen in workplace settings
- Touching a live wire
- Falling into charged water
- Touching an electrical outlet
- Faulty wiring
- Contact with a power line
- Electric equipment that malfunctions
- Failing to turn off an electrical source before performing repairs
Sadly, most electrical burns in the workplace are preventable. As technology is increasingly used in more jobs and industries, the risk of electrical burns in the workplace is always present.
High-Voltage vs. Low-Voltage Electrical Burns
An electrical burn may be high voltage or low voltage. Even a low-voltage burn may be serious.
Low voltage
A low-voltage burn typically involves 500 volts or less. A volt is the unit of measurement for electrical force. Below 500 volts, electricity usually doesn’t produce sparks or glow in the air, but it depends on the composition of the air. Low voltage is less likely to flow through a gap and arc.
Even though the voltage may be low, injury may still be significant. A low-voltage current may cause skin burns and may damage internal tissues, including nerves. Even a low-voltage burn may result in amputation, especially if the victim is a young child.
High voltage
High-voltage current is more likely to run through the body, causing severe organ and tissue damage. Injuries may be more serious than they appear externally.
The severity of an electrical burn depends on several factors:
- Type of current
- Voltage
- Resistance
- Personal characteristics of the victim
In addition to the burn itself, there may be secondary complications, such as falling because of electric shock. Burn complications, including infection, may occur.
Immediate First Aid for Electrical Burns at Work
When an electrical burn occurs at work, turn off the source of electricity. Make sure that others don’t get hurt. Shock to the muscles can make it difficult for the victim to move, which may prolong the electrical current. You may use an object that doesn’t conduct electricity to disrupt the person from the flow of electrical current.
Call 911. Check to see that the person is still breathing. If not, begin CPR. 911 dispatchers can provide instructions until help arrives.
Locate and use an AED, if necessary.
Recognize the signs of electrical burn, including breathing disruption, seizure, unconsciousness, muscle pain, heart failure, and heart irregularities. Minor burns may be treated by placing the burn under cool water and covering it with gauze from a first aid kit. Don’t try to remove clothes or clean the burn. Medical professionals can clean the burn correctly to prevent the risk of infection. If you don’t have gauze, don’t use something fibrous like a towel or blanket. Use a cloth or sheet that won’t stick to the skin.
How Employers Can Prevent Electrical Burns in the Workplace
Employers must take steps to minimize hazards to employees in the workplace. Their duties include mitigating the risk of electrical burns.
Ways that employers can prevent electrical burns in the workplace include the following:
- Promoting a culture of safety by having meetings, addressing safety concerns when raised, conducting training, and putting up posters to emphasize the importance of safe practices.
- Evaluating the work environment to identify areas of concern.
- Using technology whenever possible to minimize worker handling of sources of energy.
- Regularly inspecting potential sources of harm.
- Implementing a lighting policy to reduce potential exposure.
- Training workers to handle risks and dangers appropriately.
- Having adequate staff so that workers can take sufficient time doing tasks.
- Using personal protective equipment and other safety guards.
- Providing sufficient equipment so that workers don’t feel pressured to use equipment that should be placed out of service.
- Investigating when dangerous situations occur and making the needed changes.
- Making sure employees know how to report unsafe conditions and that they can make reports without fear of retaliation.
Preventing electrical injury at work is an ongoing process. Employers must be both proactive and reactive to minimize the risk of injury.
Contact an Experienced Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Have you suffered a burn injury at work? You may deserve benefits and compensation. Contact an experienced Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyer at Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys.
We represent injured workers with different types of electrical burns at the workplace. See what you may receive in compensation and learn about the process. Get the legal help you need today.
