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115 Electrical Safety for Employees: Basic
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115 Electrical Safety for Employees: Basic

Why People Freeze

Sometimes, when a person receives an electrical shock, the electrical stimulation leads to muscle contractions. This 'freezing' effect can render the person unable to pull away from the circuit.

Health Effects of Electric Shock

This prolonged exposure to electricity is extremely dangerous for two main reasons. First, it increases the duration of electrical contact. Second, the resulting current can cause blisters, which lower the body's resistance, thereby increasing the electrical current.

The longer the exposure, the greater the risk of serious injury. Prolonged exposure to even relatively low voltages can be as dangerous as brief exposure to higher voltages. Therefore, low voltage should not be mistaken for low hazard.

In addition to muscle contractions that cause "freezing," electrical shocks can also cause involuntary muscle reactions. These reactions may result in a variety of injuries due to collisions or falls. These injuries can include bruises, bone fractures, and in severe cases, even death.

If a person is "frozen" to a live electrical contact, shut off the current immediately. If shutting off the current is not possible, use nonconducting materials such as wooden boards or sticks to safely push or pull the person away from the contact. While it's vital to act swiftly, it's equally important to protect yourself from electrocution or shock during the rescue effort.

Real-Life Accidents

At 12:00 a.m. on March 23, 2021, Employee #1 and his coworkers were working on replacing a wave trap at an electrical substation. During the process of reconnecting the short lead to the new wave trap, the employee removed a grounding cable while trying to gain access to the short lead from the existing setup as the new wave trap was located at a different height and the lead was too short. Upon removal of the grounding cable, the employee became part of the electrical circuit and was electrocuted.
At 3:00 p.m. on June 29, 2021, an employee was installing a new electrical service to a private residence when the employee contacted live 240-volt mid-span electrical service wires. The employee was electrocuted and died with burns to the right forearm and left chest.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-8. What should you do if you find a person who is "frozen" to an energized electrical surface or wire?

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