According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, “Over the last 10 years, more than 46,000 workers were injured from on-the-job electrical hazards. These types of injuries are not isolated to any one industry or one field of work. It could happen to anyone when they least expect it.”
Electrical injuries including electrical burns and electrical shock can occur in the home or workplace. Special considerations need to be made for emergency response personnel when responding to the scene of an electrical injury. Learn how to keep safe as well as caring for the patients you may encounter in an online education lesson from our partners at RapidCE.com (browse to RapidCE.com and register for the workplace health and safety lesson on Electrical Hazards).
Follow these Everyday EMS Tips for safe work practices:
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- Deenergzie, or shut off, all electrical equipment before you attempt to investigate or repair anything electrical.
- Make sure to shut off electrical equipment at the wall switch AND at the junction box to prevent the piece of equipment from being accidentally energized while you are working on it.
- Always use electrical tools that are in good condition without frayed or exposed wires.
- Never work near an energized power line.
- Don appropriate protective equipment at all times.
On average, one worker is electrocuted on the job each day. Electrical shock, electrical burns and falls are common injuries associated with electrical hazards. Don’t become a victim of a electrical hazard. Take some time right now to learn more about electrical hazards from this booklet from ESFI.
