Understanding Electrical Burns

Power linemen routinely work near objects that are energized with electricity. As a result, one of the most dangerous risks these workers face is electric shock. If you work as a power lineman, you are undoubtedly aware of how catastrophic these injuries can be. Understanding the nature and severity of electrical burns can help you take appropriate steps to stay safe and assert your rights if you become hurt on the job. 

What is an Electrical Burn?

When a power lineman comes into contact with live electricity, any current passing through their body is considered an electric shock. Where the current enters and exits the body, an electrical burn might occur. 

Determining the extent of an electrical burn can be challenging. That’s because even serious burns can appear minor at first glance. Many of the consequences of electrical burns are internal because an electrical current can move through the body, causing significant damage to the skin’s surface as well as internal damage to nerves, tendons, blood vessels, muscles, bones, and organs. 

The amount of damage to your body can depend on a variety of factors, such as the level of voltage involved, where the electricity came into contact with your body, how healthy you are overall, and how quickly you get medical treatment. The higher the voltage of the electrical current, the more likely there will be severe and deep tissue damage. Unfortunately, power linemen work with high voltage electricity, with distribution lines handling in the range of 12-35 kilovolts and transmission lines sometimes exceeding 200 kilovolts. 

Common Symptoms of an Electrical Burn

If you’ve come into contact with electricity, it’s possible you’ve sustained an electrical burn. Even if the burn seems minor at first, you may have skin or internal damage that isn’t readily apparent. Some common symptoms of electrical burns include:

• Visible burns or injuries to the skin
• Headache, dizziness, or confusion
• Fluttering or pounding heart
• Muscle contractions
• Tingling or numbness
• Balance issues
• Shortness of breath
• Red or red-black urine
• Trouble staying awake
• Seizures

Diagnosing and Treating Electrical Burns

If you experience an electrical burn, you seek immediate medical treatment. A physician will assess the burn to determine which of the three types of electrical burns you have:

• First degree — superficial burns that only impact the top layer of skin. 
• Second degree — deeper burns that impact the top two layers of skin. 
• Third degree — most severe burns that can go into the subcutaneous layer of skin. 

Because electrical burns can affect your internal organs as well as your skin, other tests may be ordered, such as an EKG, x-ray, or CT scan. Burn specialists may be necessary for the treatment of serious electrical burns. Depending on the severity of the burns, treatment may include pain medication, surgery, and other treatments to address internal damage. 

Power Lineman Safety — Preventing Catastrophic Electrical Burns

Working with electricity is an inherently dangerous business. Fortunately, employers in this industry have a responsibility to keep workers safe. Safety standards and proper training are designed to maintain workplace safety, although some organizations may try to get more done with less or use dangerous shortcuts. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Contractors Association (NECA), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) have joined forces to improve power lineman safety by creating some best practices that include:

• Administrative controls — Through administrative controls, employers should identify potential hazards in advance through a site analysis. 
• Job briefings — At the start of every work shift, employees and foremen should get together for job briefings so everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. 
• Pre-use inspection — Power linemen should inspect all rubber protective equipment for damage, contamination, or wear before use. 
• Qualified observer — A qualified observer must be designated and used for certain critical tasks. 
• Fall protection — Power linemen must use fall protection equipment (FPE) when working on lattice structures or performing certain aerial work. 
• Information transfer — Contractors and employers must communicate the conditions of electrical equipment related to any safety issues and any known hazards. 
• Periodic reviews — Employers must make a periodic review of safety procedures to confirm the company remains in compliance with necessary safety procedures.

If you are a power lineman who has been injured at work, you should understand that your employer is responsible for providing a safe workplace that is free from electrical hazards. At Lineman Injury Attorney, our goal is to provide workers with useful and up-to-date information regarding OSHA guidelines. This can help power linemen avoid serious accidents, such as electrical burns, or assist injured workers in asserting their rights after a workplace injury.