Burns And Electricity Accidents

<meta name="keywords" content="burns and electricity accidents, electrocution, electrocution deaths, construction site dangers, working on scaffolding, tree trimming equipments"/>

<meta name="description" content="Burns and electricity accidents, especially on the job are currently on the rise. A large number of these accidents are fatal."/>

The Truth About Burns And Electricity Accidents
Burns and electricity accidents show us just how dangerous electricity can be. Most of us are so used to having proper and safe electrical supplies that we don't really think about electrocution. But there are a number of people who put their lives on the line every day because they work with electricity. As the reach of electricity multiplies around the world, so do the number of burns and deaths due to electrocution.

Facts And Figures
Some of the news stories about electrocution are both grim and heartbreaking to read about. In 1995, a young maintenance worker was doing some basic electrical work in a school when 277 volts shot through his body, electrocuting him. In a meat processing plant, an electrician died from severe burns when he touched a live connection. It's true that in some cases, accidents happen because the person was negligent or wasn't wearing the proper safety equipment. In a number of cases however, employer negligence results in severe injuries and even loss of life.

Let's take a look at some statistics to get a better idea of how grave the situation is. From 1980 to 1992, reports show that nearly 500 people died every year because of electrocution on the job. Two disturbing trends have become apparent in recent times- one, the number of electrocution deaths is on the increase. Second, most of these deaths happen to workers who are on the job. Burns left by electrical accidents are doubly dangerous because they leave two wounds; an entry and exit wound. Muscles, arteries, veins and nerves are all at risk during an electrical accident. All electrical burns require immediate medical attention as they are the most serious form of injury.

Who's To Blame?
Many people wonder if the power companies can be held responsible for electricity injuries and deaths. The answer is not that simple- for example; it is the responsibility of the power company to make sure that power lines are properly maintained. But in most cases, workers simply don't have the right protective gear or equipment to work safely. Here are a few safety measures all employers should initiate and all employees should be aware of.

• Equipment should be suitable for the working environment and properly maintained
• An emergency power switch should be easily accessible at all times
• Socket outlets should also be easily accessible for emergency disconnections
• Damaged areas of cables and couplers should be replaced, not stripped and sealed with insulation tape
• Extension cords should only be used as a temporary measure
• All faulty equipment should be clearly marked and kept separately
• All equipment must be inspected before use

One of the most common ways in which workers are electrocuted on the job is when they work near power lines and are not aware of construction site dangers. Jobs like tree trimming or working on scaffolding can become fatal if proper safety measures aren't taken. OSHA does have regulations in place when it comes to doing work near high voltage power lines. Cranes and other equipment should have signs that clearly mark their clearance zones. Remember that equipment like ladders, scaffolding and tree trimming equipment will cause electrocution if they aren't kept at the proper clearance distance.

Most people think that all high voltage power lines have wire insulation. The sobering truth is that most lines that run above ground don't have insulation at all. Some power companies don't insulate their power lines because it can be expensive. And since these are tied at great heights, they usually don't think it is worth the trouble. But it is these very power lines that are the cause for most work-related electrocution burns and deaths. Being aware of the risks involved and safety precautions needed is the key to avoiding burns and fatalities from electrical accidents.

About the Author

The Phialdelphia Lawyers at Anapol Schwartz Weiss Cohan Feldman & Smalley can answer your questions about burns and electricity accidents -- especially accidents on the job, which are currently on the rise. A large number of these accidents are fatal; what makes these incidents even more unfortunate is that they can easily be avoided with proper safety precautions.

Source: Legal Articles on ArticlesTree.com





Recent Legal Articles

Understanding DWI
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is the title of classification used to identify a drunk driving within the overall category known as Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Operating Under the Influence (OUI) and Operating a Motor Vehicle Intoxicated (OMVI) are the two other titles that fall within the DUI category.

DWI in Texas - Driving While Intoxicated
To the residents of Texas, it is no laughing matter that they are considered to be one of the nationwide leaders in traffic related deaths involving alcohol. A report from the Department of Public Safety showed that 98,349 drunk driving arrests were made in Texas in just one year with 11% of them being under the legal drinking age of 21.

Foreign Workers - How to Avoid Threats and Poor Living Conditions
On March 9, 2007, several farm workers from India were killed when the van that was taking them to work crashed on the way to the farm in Abbotsford, British Columbia. While this accident was extreme, it does serve to illustrate the fact that when it comes to foreign workers in Canada, working conditions may not always be ideal.

Being sued by a Credit Card company?
Defaults on credit card accounts are at an all time high. Too many consumers obtain too many cards and then cannot keep up with the payments. If a credit card company files a lawsuit against you after a default, they must prove certain issues in order to prevail in their case.

Burns And Electricity Accidents
<meta name="keywords" content="burns and electricity accidents, electrocution, electrocution deaths, construction site dangers, working on scaffolding, tree trimming equipments"/> <meta name="description" content="Burns and electricity accidents, especially on the job are currently on the rise.

Best Interests of the Child
The parent's desires and claims are secondary when determining the "best interest of the child." Furthermore, the parent's wishes are only important in so much as these wishes answer the question of what would serve the

California Lemon Law
Everyday there are consumers in California who find themselves in a bad situation with regards to owning a defective automobile. Many don't even know that they are protected by the California Lemon Law.

Bank Account Levy
It’s daunting to find out that the IRS has put a levy on your account. It will greatly affect you and your family’s life. What’s there to do? There are a lot of reasons why the IRS would put a levy on your bank account.

3 Methods To Collect On Judgments Using Employment Locate
Do you have a judgement you need to collect on, but are not sure how to go about doing it? Whether it is a judgement, or other things such as child support, using a skill known as employment locate can be helpful.

Can You Win a Dental Malpractice Lawsuit?
Any form of malpractice is a frightening prospect, whether it is legal malpractice, medical malpractice or dental malpractice. The providers of these services are expected to be qualified experts in their fields, exerting their considerable skills for the benefit of their patients.

A Guide on How Brain Injury Attorneys Handle Your Case
One of the most devastating outcomes of accidents is brain injury. Ninety percent of people who suffer from brain injuries incur damages that are not visible or detectable to ordinary people. Brain injury attorneys can help you in filing a claim.

Can We Depend on Drunk Driving Breath Tests?
There's been an ongoing debate between drunk driving defense lawyers and law enforcement in regards to drunk driving breath tests. The argument is that we can't depend on breathalyzer tests because these instruments often detect other chemicals in the body and mistake them for ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, a compound found in alcoholic beverages.

A New York Traffic Lawyer Guide To Calculating DMV Points
Even New York traffic lawyers get confused on how to calculate how many points a motorist has on his driver license. The rule is simple. A motorist is allowed up to 10 points within any 18-month period.

Why Fight A New York Speeding Ticket
The first response that most people give when asked why should they fight their New York speeding ticket is points. Speeding violations in New York carries 3 to 11 points depending on how many mph above the limit you are convicted.

eattle Councilmember Hague gets DUI Sentence
In a report from the esteemed 'Seattle Times Eastside bureau' online newspaper, Seattle Councilwoman Jane Hague has been handed down a half year of probation for dui case, and she has to make a minimum of three public-service announcements and do some community service.