It has been widely reported that the general public don’t take the dangers of electricity seriously and don’t consider the effects of faulty equipment as any great risk.
So, we’re looking at what can happen when electrical accidents do occur and what the public should be aware of.
By making people aware of the dangers of electricity, we can encourage them to take their electrical safety checks seriously.
Electric Shock:
Even an electrical voltage as low as 50 volts, which has been applied to two parts of a body, can cause a current to flow which blocks electrical signals from the brain to muscles.
The effects of this can be varied but generally include changing the beating rhythm of a heart and stopping it beating correctly, interfering with breathing, stopping breathing altogether and causing muscle spasms.
Other factors include the size of the voltage, which parts of the body are involved, if the person is wet and how long the current flows for.
Electrical burns:
Burns are caused when electrical current passes through the body heating human tissue along the current flow. This heating can cause deep burns which can, in some cases, require surgery. Some are permanent and cause many issues for the sufferer.
Most common burns are due to higher voltages but can occur in domestic situations too.
Muscle Control:
The loss of muscle control can cause serious problems including the inability to let go of the item giving the electric shock. Muscle spasms can be extremely painful and can even cause the dislocation of joints and the breaking of bones.
Thermal Burns:
Thermal burns can be caused by equipment which is overloaded, faulty, not maintained or shorted. This can happen because these problems can cause overheating which can then result in burns or explosions.
It is also worth noting that a single low voltage torch battery can create a spark which can cause a fire or explosion in an explosive atmosphere.
Written by Sara Thomson
