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Every year, there are around about 1000 reported electrical accidents that occur within workplaces and around about 25 of these are fatal. Mains electricity, high voltage cables, batteries, static and even lightning could be found in the workplace. A government report by the HSE showed the most common electrical injuries and deaths came from direct contact with electrical charge and could be a dire result for many reasons. These reasons can include badly maintained equipment, especially portable electrical equipment, items or machines that encountered overhead power lines, the use of unsuitable electrical equipment in areas where there is a high risk of explosion, coming into contact with underground power lines while using hand tools or machinery, or finally working with live mains power over a body part came into contact with a close live source of electricity. What happens here is electricity passes  through the body and heads through to earth. The body will convulse as electricity passes through the muscles. A current as little as 10 milliamps will cause muscle contraction which can cause the hands, for example, to close around the source of electricity so the person can't release it. The amount of damage or injury would depend on the size of the current passing through the body, the length of time that the person was in contact with it, also the path that the electricity went through the body will affect what injury has actually occurred. If the conditions are wet, a current as little as 60 milliamps can be fatal. This reduces the body's resistance and can affect the heart's electrical activity causing a cardiac arrest. Burns are also a problem as electricity enters the body but also where it exits the body. These burns can be very severe as electricity penetrates deep through the body, and these burns could be very painful and slow to heal. Electricity can cause sparks and this can result in fire or explosion. The first aid treatment will be to ensure that the scene is safe as you do not want to be injured by what has hurt the patient, and if they are live when you touch them, you could be shocked in exactly the same way. If in any doubt at all, touch them with the back of your hand and if the muscles do contract, then your hand will pull away rather than grip the live person. The first thing to check is if they are breathing. You may establish this by talking to them, approaching them, go through the process we have learned in earlier videos. If they are not breathing, you will have to deliver CPR. If they are breathing but not conscious, place them in a recovery position an look out for any other injuries on their body. If there are no other urgent first aid procedures, then you need to assess for injuries as you might need to treat for burns. Patients can also be burnt by touching hot metal which has been heated by electricity even if they have not actually been electrocuted. Other injuries can be an injury where they fall or they are thrown back and hit by flying objects or exposed to sharp wires, melting or dripping plastic. Finally, children are also at risk of electrical injuries as they put things into sockets or play with electric equipment where they can damage electrical wires. You should always take correct precautions anywhere children and electricity could mix.
Workplace Electrical Accidents: Risks, Injuries, and First Aid
Overview
An examination of workplace electrical accidents in the UK, including risks, common injuries, and first aid measures.
Statistics
- Annual Incidents: Approximately 1,000 reported electrical accidents occur in UK workplaces annually.
- Fatalities: Out of these incidents, 25 result in fatalities.
Risk Factors
Various sources of electrical hazards within the workplace.
- Common Sources: Mains electricity, high voltage cables, batteries, static electricity, and even lightning.
Common Injuries
An analysis of the most prevalent injuries resulting from electrical accidents.
- Direct Contact: Injuries often stem from direct contact with an electrical charge.
- Potential Causes: Reasons for contact include poorly maintained equipment, machine interactions with power lines, unsuitable equipment in wet or explosive environments, and contact with underground power lines.
- Electricity Path: When a body part contacts live electricity, it becomes the conduit for the electrical charge, leading to muscle contractions, potential burns, sparks, and more.
Severity and Treatment
Factors influencing the severity of electrical injuries and initial first aid steps.
- Current Impact: The severity depends on the current's strength, duration of contact, and the path it takes through the body.
- Fatality Risk: Currents as low as 60mA can be fatal in wet conditions, affecting the heart's electrical activity and causing cardiac arrest.
- Burns: Electricity can lead to severe burns, both entry and exit points, which can be painful and slow to heal.
- Fire and Explosion: Electrical sparks can trigger fires or explosions.
First Aid
Immediate actions to take when providing first aid for electrical injuries.
- Scene Safety: Ensure your own safety before assisting the patient.
- Assess Breathing: Check if the patient is breathing; initiate CPR if necessary.
- Unconscious Patients: Place unconscious patients in the recovery position and inspect for additional injuries.
- Secondary Injuries: Assess for burns, falls, flying objects, sharp wires, or melted plastic.
Child Safety
Preventing electrical injuries involving children through precautions and awareness.
- Child Risks: Children can encounter electrical hazards from sockets, playing with equipment, or damaging wires.
- Precautions: Implement safety measures wherever children and electricity may intersect.