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Electrocution Accidents in Philadelphia

Electrocution is exposure to a lethal amount of electrical energy. Electrocution accidents in Philadelphia present a serious risk to many types of workers and in the few cases where a worker survives, it is with serious burns and injuries. In fact, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) classifies electrocution as one of the Fatal Four workplace accidents responsible for most worker fatalities in the construction industry.

Electrocution Accidents in Philadelphia Video

Workers at Risk for Electrocution Accidents

The following groups of South Philly workers are at higher risk for electrocution accidents:

Causes of Electrocution Accidents

Contact with overhead and buried power lines are the main hazard associated with electrocution accidents. Overhead power lines are not only a risk to crane operators and utility workers but also to workers on ladders and truck drivers operating movable truck beds that meet power lines when fully extended. Workers may not realize that the coverings for power lines are mainly for weather protection and that contact with a power line, covered or not, will most likely be fatal due to the high voltage carried. Bustleton electrocution accidents that are not fatal can result in the worker being thrown from heights and sustaining head, back, or spinal cord injuries, along with burns from electrical shock.

Contact with energized sources is another cause of electrocution accidents, including live parts, damaged or bare wires, and defective equipment and tools. When a worker meets both live wires of an electrical circuit, a metal part that has become energized by contact with an electrical conductor, or one wire of an energized circuit and the ground, then the body becomes part of that electric circuit resulting in an electrical shock. The length of exposure, amount of current, and whether the skin was wet or dry, are some of the factors determining the severity and effects of the electrical shock. Wet conditions and wet skin allow the electricity to flow more easily, allowing the worker to experience anything from faint tingling to cardiac arrest and severe burns. Burns from electricity are some of the most severe because they cause much more damage to the tissues underneath the skin.

Extension cords and other flexible cords are also an electrical hazard when used improperly. They are used widely for power tools and are more susceptible to damage than fixed wiring because they are exposed, flexible, and unsecured. Normal wear and tear can expose wires creating the risk for shocks, burns, and fire. Cords can be damaged by the edges of a window or door, from being fastened or stapled, or abraded by other materials. A cord connector laying on wet surfaces can leak electric current, creating a danger to anyone who picks it up.

Preventing Electrocution Accidents

There are many safety measures that employers can use to prevent electrocution accidents in Philadelphia. OSHA has many safety guidelines, one of which is a list by the voltage of safe distances to be maintained from overhead power lines. The higher the voltage, the greater the distance. Additionally:

  • All equipment should be located within a safe distance from power lines.
  • The vertical and horizontal power line clearances should be flagged.
  • Before work begins, the utility company should de-energize and ground the power lines visibly. Alternatively, they can use insulated sleeves on the power lines.
  • Only use non-conductive tools, ladders, and materials.

Employers should also:

  • Isolate electrical parts
  • Supply ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)
  • Maintain power tools and check to make sure they are in a safe condition
  • Maintain and inspect cords and ensure they are properly used
  • Use lockout/Tagout procedures and enforce them
  • Train workers to recognize electrical hazards and avoid them by using the above protective measures

When electrical accidents are not fatal, they can cause severe injuries that have long-lasting effects and require substantial medical care and rehabilitation.

Call an Attorney if You Suffered an Electrocution Accident in Philadelphia

An experienced attorney can help injured victims recover compensation for medical treatment and lost wages. Call today to get started reviewing your claim.

Personal Injury Attorney Philadelphia | Gross & Kenny, LLP

Personal Injury Attorney Philadelphia | Gross & Kenny, LLP
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