Electrical Hazards - Types of Injuries

A person can sustain several types of injuries from an electrical hazard, which is dependent on the type of hazard encountered:

Electrical Shock Hazard

A person's body can complete a circuit and receive an electrical shock. An electrical shock can result in a number of different injuries. These include burns, nerve damage, irregular heart rhythm, and electrocution.

Fall Hazard

Because electrical shock can cause involuntary muscle reactions, it can also cause secondary accidents. For example, if a worker is on a ladder when he or she receives a shock, the worker may be thrown off the ladder due to the contracting of his or her muscles. The fall may cause a danger of its own.

Electrical Burn Hazard

An electrical burn occurs when electricity passes through a person's body and causes rapid injury. These burns are different than a burn from a heat or chemical source because electrical burns are likely to cause a greater amount of damage under the skin. The severity of an electrical burn depends on the path the current takes during an electrical shock.

Arc Flash Hazard

An arc flash is an explosive electric shock. An arc flash event involves several dangerous conditions occurring simultaneously. These can include a bright flash, an explosive expansion of molten metal, a loud blast, thermal radiation, and an intense flow of electric current. The intensity of the arc flash can cause severe burns almost instantly.

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