Dangers of Electric Shock - Research Paper Example

These days almost anything which is dangerous clearly shows a danger sign but some people choose to ignore it and as a consequence end up losing their life. Death by electric shock has become unusually common, sometimes it is because of ignorance some other times it is purely accidental. Shock occurs when a person accidentally or intentionally touches an energy source; the energy then flows through the body causing an electric shock. Many a time this electric energy is so powerful that the victim succumbs to his wounds, some other times the victim is saved.

“Adolescents and adults are prone to high voltage shock caused by mischievous exploration and exposure at work. About 1,000 people in the United States die each year as a result of electrocution. Most of these deaths are related to on-the-job injuries.” (Electric Shock Causes) 1,000 people each year lose their life as mentioned earlier and yet nothing significant is being done about it. There are several factors which determine how severe the shock can be, the most important of them all is the voltage, higher the voltage more severe the shock.

The resistance of the tissues is another factor which may determine the extent of the injury because each of us is biologically different and may have different resistance levels. Chances of death increase should the voltage be above 500 volts, most human beings escape with minor injuries should the voltage be less than 500 volts but fatal burns and injuries is the result should the voltage be more than 500 volts. Many a time people try and help others and become subsequent victims, helping a person who is experiencing electric shock needs fool-proof preparation.

Someone who falls from height may break his neck in which case the victim should be left alone and an ambulance should be called for. 110-220 volts is normal current which is supplied to different households, children often get severely injured when they are exposed to uncovered wires in the house. 110 volts is good enough to injure children gravely because their resistance level is much lower than adults. It is very important to cover all the uncovered electrical wires in a household; this can easily be done by using cello tapes and other similar equipment.

“Children are not often seriously injured by electricity. They are prone to shock by the low voltage (110-220 volts) found in typical household current. In children aged 12 years and younger, household appliance electrical cords and extension cords caused more than 63% of injuries in one study. Wall outlets were responsible for 15% of injuries.” (Electric Shock Causes) Electric shock is more than capable of causing multiple health hazards, burns are the most common of all muscular contraction is another hazard which may be caused because of an electric shock.

Spine injury is also plausible should a victim fall from height, he may also injure his neck severely. A victim may also experience breathing problem, abdominal problems and a host of other serious problems. For workers working at a construction site it becomes necessary to wear personal protective equipment to ensure that they can be safeguarded against electric shock. Insulated high voltage glove kit is a kit which is worn by workers working at construction sites; this kit comes with gloves and other equipment which protect against electric