Construction sites may have various modes that can cause accidents, and electrocution is one reason. Electrical injuries can cause severe injuries, leading to other fatalities to the workers. Various types of electrical injuries at construction sites lead to accidents, and we will discuss those types in this article.
However, we must also remember that these accidents are preventable, so construction contractors should take responsibility to prevent such incidents. If there is an accident and you are injured, you can consult construction accident help and their specialist attorneys.
Which Construction Site Hazards Put Workers At More Risk For Electrical Injuries?
Some of the essential construction sites that have more proximity for electrical injuries are as follows:
- Overhead power lines
- Buried power lines
- Moving trucks and other heavy equipment
- Improperly grounded power tools
- Gas-powered combustion engines
- Bad Weather
- Unsafe wiring
- Defective equipment
These are some of the hazards that can lead to electrocution when it comes to contact with high-voltage power lines. Due to this electrocution, there can be burns from the flashes, flames, damage to the heart, central nervous system, internal organs, and other injuries.
What are the Most Common Types of Electrical Injuries At Construction Sites?
It is considered that burns are the most common type of electrical injuries on construction sites, but there are also other injuries that we need to know. Some other injuries include heart attack, respiratory arrest, muscle spasms, and damage to the central nervous system and other internal organs. It can also cause harm, which may not be readily visible to people but can be seen over time. Some of the common types of electrical injuries at construction sites are as follows:
- Scarring and disfigurement: Burns are the most common effect of electrocution, and these burns can lead to scarring and disfigurement in the hands and feet. Workers who suffer from such scars and disfigurement will require physical therapy and reconstructive surgery.
- Psychological Trauma: Patients can also suffer psychological trauma if there is severe electrocution to the person. It might endure for months of treatment, triggering anxiety and depression. Therefore, there are severe depression and anxiety issues due to electrical mishandling.
- Impaired hearing and Lung Damage: Explosions from the electrocution can put pressure on the inner ear, leading to hearing loss and also cause lung damage.
- Muscle and ligament damage: If there are severe electrical shocks, it can lead to involuntary muscle contractions and may lead to permanent damage to the muscles.
So, these are certain damages through electrocution, and therefore, it is always advisable that contractors should take precautions to prevent such incidents. If such incidents occur, there is an option of filing construction accident cases for injuries that a worker might face.