06 Jul Electrical Hazards – High Voltage Electrical Burns

Electrical Hazards – High-Voltage Electrical Burns

Electrical contact can cause some of the most severe injuries encountered in the workplace. Electrical injuries may include shock, electrical and thermal burns, arc-flash injuries, cardiac arrest, internal tissue damage, falls, and electrocution.

Electrical burns can be particularly dangerous because the injury visible on the skin may represent only a small portion of the actual damage.

Why Electrical Burns Are So Serious

When electrical current passes through the body, damage may occur at the point of contact, along the current’s path through the body, and at another point where the current exits.

Electrical injuries may cause:

• Deep muscle, nerve, and tissue damage.
• Severe electrical or thermal burns.
• Cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.
• Respiratory arrest.
• Extensive swelling and circulation problems.
• Muscle breakdown that can contribute to kidney damage.
• Secondary injuries caused by falls or involuntary muscle reactions.

A worker who appears to have only a small electrical burn may have significant internal injuries. Electrical injuries require prompt medical evaluation.

Prevent Electrical Contact

The safest approach is to eliminate exposure to energized electrical parts whenever possible.

Before electrical work begins:

• Identify all electrical energy sources.
• De-energize equipment whenever feasible.
• Apply required lockout/tagout procedures.
• Release or control stored electrical energy.
• Verify absence of voltage using properly rated test equipment.
• Establish required approach boundaries and protective measures.
• Use electrical PPE appropriate for the voltage and hazards involved.
• Restrict access to qualified and authorized employees.

Never assume electrical equipment is safe simply because a switch or circuit breaker has been turned off.

GFCI Protection

A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is an important electrical safety device. It monitors the difference between current flowing to and returning from electrical equipment and rapidly interrupts the circuit when an imbalance indicating leakage is detected.

GFCIs can significantly reduce the risk of serious electrical shock, particularly when portable electrical equipment is used in construction environments.

Workers should:

• Use GFCI protection where required.
• Test portable GFCIs as required and according to manufacturer instructions.
• Never bypass or defeat a GFCI.
• Stop using equipment if the GFCI repeatedly trips and have the condition investigated.
• Remember that a GFCI does not eliminate every electrical hazard and does not replace proper grounding, de-energization, lockout/tagout, or required PPE.

High-Voltage Work

Work on or near high-voltage electrical systems requires specialized knowledge, training, equipment, and work practices.

Only employees who are qualified for the specific electrical work being performed may work on or near exposed energized electrical parts. Qualification must include demonstrated knowledge of the equipment and applicable electrical hazards and safe work practices.

Do not rely on a blanket rule that a worker becomes qualified for high-voltage work merely by accumulating a specific number of years of experience. The employee must have the training, knowledge, skills, and demonstrated proficiency required for the work and hazards involved.

Electrical PPE and Insulating Equipment

Required PPE must be selected based on the electrical hazards and the work being performed. Depending on the task, this may include:

• Voltage-rated rubber insulating gloves with appropriate protectors.
• Insulating sleeves.
• Arc-rated clothing.
• Safety glasses or goggles.
• Arc-rated face shields or arc-flash hoods.
• Hard hats rated for applicable electrical hazards.
• Insulating blankets, covers, line hose, or other protective equipment.

Insulating equipment must have the appropriate voltage rating and be inspected, tested, stored, and maintained according to applicable requirements.

Do not rely on a single voltage, such as 300 volts, as the universal point at which insulating gloves are required. PPE requirements depend on the employee’s exposure and the specific electrical task.

Conductive Tools and Materials

Conductive objects can unexpectedly bridge the distance between a worker and an energized part.

Around exposed energized components:

• Do not use conductive measuring tapes, ropes, or similar equipment where they could contact energized parts.
• Use nonconductive ladders when electrical hazards are present.
• Control long conductive objects such as pipes, conduit, and reinforcing steel.
• Do not use conductive fish tapes where they could contact exposed energized components.
• Keep jewelry and other conductive personal items away from exposed energized parts when they present a contact hazard.
• Use appropriately rated and insulated tools when required.

If an Electrical Injury Occurs

Never touch a worker who is still in contact with an energized electrical source. You could become the next victim.

Have the electrical source safely disconnected and activate emergency response procedures. Once the scene is electrically safe, trained personnel should provide first aid, CPR, or AED assistance as necessary.

Electrical burn victims should receive prompt professional medical evaluation because serious internal injuries may not be visible.

Remember

High-voltage electricity can cause devastating injuries in a fraction of a second. The most effective protection is to de-energize whenever possible, establish an electrically safe work condition, verify absence of voltage, and follow required electrical safe-work practices.

When energized work is permitted, only properly qualified employees using the required procedures, approach distances, protective equipment, and PPE may perform the work.