Exploring the Dangers of Electricity
Electricity is a powerful and potentially dangerous energy source that needs to be handled with care. In order to stay safe from electrocution and other hazards, it is important to understand why electricity is so dangerous and how certain conditions make it even more so.
Dangers Of Electricity (Shock)
Electricity is dangerous because it can cause serious and even fatal electric shocks. This happens when the body comes into contact with an electrical current, as living tissue, which contains water, creates a natural path through which electricity can travel. If the current is strong enough and passes through the body for too long, it can disrupt essential processes in the heart and other organs, leading to death or permanent damage.
An electric shock happens when an external source of electricity, such as a faulty power line or a lightning strike, encounters the human skin. This shock can cause severe burns at the point of entry and exit, as well as potentially causing internal damage to organs and other body systems.
Electricity can be extremely dangerous, as it can cause serious physical harm to both humans and animals. Depending on the strength of the current, the type of tissue it passes through, and how long the exposure lasts, it can lead to burns, paralysis, cardiac arrest or even death.
Electrical Fires
Electrical fires are a danger to multiple persons and property. Where electrical shocks generally affect that single person, electrical fires can affect whole buildings and thus multiple people.
We have written a dedicated article on electrical fire which you can review here ‘What is an Electrical Fire?
How Electric Current affects the Body
Electricity is dangerous because of its ability to flow through the human body and cause injury. For example, even small currents of a few thousandths of amps (milliamps) can have negative effects on the body. Moreover, the higher the electric current that flows through the body, often measured in amperes (amps), the more serious and potentially deadly are the effects. It is important to be aware of these risks and take safety precautions when working with electricity.
Electricity is dangerous because it can cause a wide range of physiological effects in the body. Even touching an electric current as weak as one milliampere (mA) can lead to a tingling sensation, while direct contact with currents of five mA or higher can cause muscular contraction that cannot be released until the electricity subsides. More intense currents, such as those between 100 and 300 mA, can lead to fatal events like ventricular fibrillation, while currents of six amperes (A) or higher can cause sustained ventricular contractions and temporary respiratory paralysis.
Electricity can be highly dangerous, especially when it passes through the body. When exposed to currents of 30 mA or more, a person can experience potentially fatal respiratory paralysis due to the intensity and duration of the current, as well as the path it takes through their body.
Electricity is a powerful force and when exposed to it, the consequences can be extremely dangerous. While static electricity sparks may provide a shock that is felt but relatively harmless in its effect, experienced when working with high powered electrical currents can cause substantial harm, causing trauma and pain beyond what our bodies can handle.
Electrical Shock Prevention Strategies
When dealing with electricity, knowledge is your best defence. It is essential for everyone to understand how electrical hazards can occur and how to limit their potential impacts. It is important to stay informed about the latest safety measures and methods for avoiding electric shock hazards. Make sure that all employees are briefed on electrical safety practices such as lockout-tagout, proper grounding and insulation, barriers, warning signs, and communication protocols. This will help ensure they are aware of any risks they may face while working around electrical equipment or systems.
Lockouts and Tag-Outs
Lockouts and tag-outs are effective ways to help ensure that all of the hazardous energy sources have been completely shut off before maintenance and repair work begins. If a worker is to come in contact with any kind of electrical equipment, it should be properly locked out or tagged out. This helps make sure that the power source is disconnected from the equipment, preventing electric shock hazards from occurring. The lockout-tagout process should be followed carefully for maximum protection.
Taking Care of Your Electrical Equipment Regularly.
It is important to maintain your electrical equipment regularly in order to avoid any potential shock hazards. Make sure that your wiring, outlets and appliances are all properly grounded and uncontaminated. Ensure that all cords and cables are kept off the ground, away from water sources and out of the way of foot traffic. Check for loose connections, corroded wires, frayed insulation, exposed wiring or shorting circuits. If you find any problems with your equipment, contact a qualified electrician to safely fix it at once.
Checking for Potential Danger Signs in Electrical Systems.
If you are unsure of the safety of your electrical system, there are some danger signs to look out for. If you smell burning rubber or insulation, see sparks when manipulating a cord or hear buzzing noises, it may indicate that your system is unsafe. Additionally, common shock hazards include overloaded sockets and energised exposed wiring. Checking for these danger signs can help keep you safe and prevent shocked or fatal injury.
Dangers Of Electricity Summary
Electricity is dangerous because when it enters the human body, it will take whatever route is easiest to escape. This means that if a part of the body is in contact with the source of electricity, electricity could travel through other parts of the body, instead. To make matters worse, if multiple parts of the body are touching the source at once, multiple pathways could form and make exiting through one limb impossible. To avoid electrical accidents it’s best to contact a fully qualified company with the relevant training and insurance. Contact our highly trained and experienced team now for further assistances.
For further articles, follow the links below.
How To Check Office Electrical Wiring
