Electrical incidents and hazards in the workplace can lead to serious injuries such as electric shocks and thermal burns. These injuries can have a major impact on the body and can even cause death if not treated quickly, meaning that there needs to be greater awareness surrounding them.
Electric Shocks
Electric shocks occur when a part of the body comes into contact with an electrical source that has a minimum voltage of 50. The bigger the voltage, the bigger the effect on the body. When electricity enters the body, it blocks the signals that flow between the brain and its muscles. This means that it can cause the heart to stop beating, the person to stop breathing and muscle spasms.
Electric shocks tend to happen when a worker isn’t wearing personal protective equipment while handling electrical components, but faulty equipment and inadequate training can also lead to these incidences.
Electrical Burns
Electrical burns happen when the electricity comes into contact with the body. When this current travels through the body, it can lead to tissue and organ damage in extreme cases.
Electrical burns, whilst they can occur in domestic settings, typically take place inside the working environment as there is often a higher voltage of electricity here. Burns are usually caused when the skin comes into contact with exposed, broken or frayed wires.
Thermal Burns
Thermal burns can be caused by any external heat source, such as a naked flame, a scald from steam or hot liquid, or via direct contact with a hot object. Electrical sources with low voltages also have the potential to overheat and explode, inflicting this injury on someone standing nearby.
How To Prevent This
However, these injuries could be prevented if an employer follows the legal requirements set out by The Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR). These regulations apply to all aspects of the use of electricity within the workplace and require work on electrical systems to be carried out in a way that prevents danger.
At Safety Aide, we are experts at guiding health and safety representatives through workplace electrical safety training.
When Is An Electrical Safety Certificate Required?
Any landlord, whether they own commercial or domestic property, requires an electrical safety certificate. Electrical safety certificates demonstrate electrical equipment is safe to use and has been either installed or checked by an electrician.
To find out more about workplace safety training, contact us at Safety Aide today.
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