Electricity is dangerous. Every time you boil a kettle or switch on a plug, there’s a risk of electrical burns, shocks, and even fatal injuries. Of course, these incidents are rare, but they do happen.
When you or someone you know suffers an electrical burn, you need to know what type and how to treat it for the best possible outcome.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the causes and types of electrical burns and how you can treat each one.
Electrical burns are a symptom of electric shock, which happens when electricity comes into contact with the skin.
Like heat burns, electrical burns are classified as either first, second or third-degree, depending on the severity:
Despite the initial lack of pain, third-degree burns require immediate treatment. The internal tissue damage they cause will be more extensive than most people initially realise.
The severity of a burn depends on the duration of exposure, the strength of the electrical current (stronger currents generate more heat), and the body parts affected.
Our Electrical Safety Training course helps employers and their staff explore the hazards of electricity and examines precautionary measures that must be taken to manage the risk of electrical injuries and accidents.
Common causes of electrical burns include:
When an electrical current passes between two points, it creates an arc. If this arc passes over someone’s skin, it causes a flash burn.
Flash burns cover large areas and happen fast, typically in less than a second. Thankfully, this speed means they’re often superficial, only damaging the outer skin layer. However, hotter (i.e., higher-current) arcs will cause more severe burns.
Arc burns are similar but more severe than flash burns.
When electricity arcs through the air, it generates intense heat and pressure. Anyone exposed to this radiant energy can be severely burned, even if the electricity never makes direct contact. There’s the added risk of physical injury, too, since the explosive force of an arc blast can knock people off their feet.
Faulty or overloaded electrical equipment can get dangerously hot. If anyone touches equipment in this state, they’re at risk of a thermal burn.
Both low and high-voltage devices can become extremely hot. Resulting thermal burns can damage the skin as well as underlying tissues.
True electrical burns occur when an electrical current flows through the body, entering at one point (like a hand) before exiting at another one (like the foot).
As the current moves through the body, it generates heat, damaging both the skin and internal tissues, including muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
These internal injuries aren’t always immediately visible but can be severe. It depends on several factors, including the voltage of the current, the duration of exposure, and the pathway the electricity takes through the body.
Electricity that passes through vital organs, such as the heart or lungs, poses a greater health risk. For example, a ‘hand-to-hand’ shock sees the current travel through the chest, potentially disrupting the heart’s rhythm and causing cardiac arrest.
The signs and symptoms of electrical burns vary based on the degree.
So, what do you do for an electrical burn? If you or someone else suffers an electrical burn, you should do the following:
Anyone who suffers an electrical burn, even a superficial one, needs medical treatment. The NHS recommends you visit your local A&E for any electrical burn.
An ambulance should be called for:
Working with or around electrical systems requires proper safety training. You need to understand electrical risks and control measures used to prevent harm.
Our online Electrical Safety Training course provides the vital knowledge needed to work safely around electrical systems. It covers hazards, risk controls, and emergency procedures.
Designed for workers at all levels, the course helps ensure compliance with safety regulations and reduces the risk of electrical injuries.
