Unfortunately, according to the International Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFi), it is alarmingly common that electricians, electrical engineers, electrical technicians and other tradespeople performing electrical work are electrocuted daily in the United States. Electrical incidents are not limited only to professionals, but homeowners, children, pets, and bystanders can also become victims. Electricity can cause bodily injury or even death. Even small electric currents can cause severe harm. A person’s heart can stop beating, and an electric shock can cause severe muscle, bone, or organ injury. Involuntary muscle contractions can “lock” a person’s grip onto an energized object, preventing self-release. Thus, it is critical to act quickly but safely to rescue someone from an electric shock. Chances for survival decrease every minute a person is in ventricular fibrillation, a chaotic, ineffective heart rhythm or respiratory paralysis caused by an electric shock. Without immediate intervention such as CPR or defibrillation, the brain and other vital organs are deprived of oxygen, leading to irreversible damage or death within minutes. This is why rapid recognition, safe rescue, and prompt initiation of life-saving measures are critical in electrical emergencies.
People who receive an electric shock are often unable to release themselves from contact with an energized conductor or circuit part because the electrical current causes involuntary muscle contractions that “lock” them onto the source. Contact with electrical energy can result in injury or death, with the severity influenced by multiple factors such as the voltage level, the duration of contact, the type of current (alternating current or direct current), the victim’s overall health, and the exact path the current takes through the body. Even low voltage, typically defined as 600 volts or less can deliver enough current to cause cardiac arrest or other fatal injuries. Low voltage does not mean low hazard, and under the wrong conditions, even household currents can be deadly. This is why electrical safety procedures apply to all energized work, regardless of the voltage rating.
Warning signs that someone is being electrically shocked include loss of consciousness, muscle spasms or loss of muscle control, breathing difficulty, inability to speak, and seizures. Loss of muscle control may cause sudden, involuntary movements that throw the person away from the energized source, potentially causing additional injuries. Because the human body is largely composed of water, an excellent conductor of electricity, it is especially vulnerable to electric shock. Quick recognition of the signs of shock is pertinent for increasing the victim’s chances of survival.
The NFPA70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, requires those exposed to electrical shock hazards to be trained annually in the effects of electric current on the human body and in methods of safe release of victims from contact with exposed energized electrical equipment, conductors or circuit parts. This crucial training is commonly referred to as Contact Release Training and is for electrical workers, their co-workers, and anyone who might be involved in rescue efforts. This training greatly increases the odds of surviving an electric shock.
NFPA70E also requires electrical workers to have a formal job safety plan and a pre-job briefing before starting any task that presents a shock hazard. The plan and briefing should include a shock hazard evaluation, emergency actions to take in case of a shock, personal protective equipment for the electrical task and for rescue, and identification of all de-energization points.
Additionally, it is strongly advised that a safety watch be put in place or that at least two people are working together when an electrical shock hazard possibility exists. This ensures immediate assistance is available in an emergency. When planning the job, always assume that an electrical emergency could occur and to proactively incorporate rescue readiness into the work plan. Preparedness is not optional. It is a life-saving necessity.
If one witnesses someone being electrocuted, it is very important to resist the instinct to touch, grab or move the individual with bare hands, as the electricity can flow from one human body to another and cause a shock to another individual as well. Always assume the victim is still energized when assessing the incident-don’t become a second victim. Before taking any action, the rescuer must carefully evaluate the environment looking for exposed wires, damaged equipment, wet surfaces, or other hazards and determine if it is truly safe to attempt a rescue.
The safest method of electrical contact release is to turn off the power. This could mean a variety of things, such as shutting off the power at the source using a circuit breaker, disconnect switch, or other approved isolation device. unplugging a tool or piece of machinery, turning off the power supply to a building, etc.
Always use non-conductive objects such as dry wood, plastic, rubber, or fiberglass to push, pull, or dislodge a person from the electric source. These materials do not readily allow the flow of electrical current and can help protect the rescuer from becoming part of the electrical circuit. Even when using non-conductive tools, the rescuer should maintain a safe distance and ensure their own footing is on a dry, insulated surface.
As a reminder, never use water or water-based fire extinguishers on electrical fires. As previously stated, water is an excellent conductor of electricity and using it on energized equipment can cause the current to travel through the water stream and into the person holding the extinguisher, resulting in electrocution. Instead, use a carbon dioxide (CO₂) extinguisher, a multi-purpose ABC extinguisher, or a Class C dry chemical extinguisher, all of which are specifically rated for electrical fires. These extinguishing agents work by smothering the flames and cutting off the oxygen supply without conducting electricity.
The exact sequence of rescue actions to take can only be determined at the time of the event, depending on the situation. Every situation is different, which is why it is pertinent to assess the situation before responding. Acting without assessing the hazards can turn a rescuer into a second victim.
