Electricity has become essential to modern life. Perhaps because it is such a familiar part of our surroundings, it often is not treated with the respect it deserves. Safety and health programs must address electrical incidents and the variety of ways electricity becomes a hazard. In general, many company requires that employees should not work near any part of an electrical power circuit unless protected.
Three primary factors that affect the severity of the shock a person receives when he or she is a part of an electrical circuit:
- Amount of current flowing through the body (measured inamperes).
- Path of the current through the body.
- Length of time the body is in the circuit.
Other factors that may affect the severity of the shock are:
- The voltage of the current.
- The presence of moisture in the environment.
- The phase of the heart cycle when the shock occurs.
- The general health of the person prior to the shock.
Effects can range from a barely perceptible tingle to severe burns and immediate cardiac arrest. Although it is not known the exact injuries that result from any given amperage.
