Safety Health: Electricity and Soldering - Case Study Example

Safety Health: Electricity and Soldering Death by electrocution Ventricular Fibrillation “Fibrillation is an uncontrolled twitching or quivering of muscle fibers (fibrils). When it occurs in the lower chambers of the heart, it is called ventricular fibrillation. During ventricular fibrillation, blood is not pumped from the heart. Sudden cardiac death results” (Ventricular Fibrillation). Even though different reasons can cause Ventricular Fibrillation, electric shock is one of the common accidents which causes this problem. Human body is a good conductor of electricity. When a person’s body come in contact with electric circuits, it offers a less resistive path to the flow of current. In other words, normal electric circuits are offering high resistance to the passage of electricity compared to human body. Just like water flow, electric current passes quickly through less resistive media. Since human body offers less resistance to electric flow, electric flow may quickly shift its direction when human body come in contact with electric circuits and passes through human body. Since human body always in contact with the earth, the circuit for electric flow will be completed easily and the current travels through the body. Even though small currents may not cause much damage to the body, high currents or currents normally causes fibrillation. Domestic power supply voltages are normally 110 V or 220 V. This voltage is sufficient enough to provide high currents to cause Ventricular Fibrillation. Prevention is better than cure. This is true in the case of Ventricular Fibrillation also. While handling with electricity, one would take extreme care. However, accidents can occur at any time. Since Ventricular Fibrillation causes cardiac arrest, it is necessary to prevent it once a person suffers electric shock. While waiting for emergency help, it is necessary to help the person in regaining breathing. In hospitals, “Ventricular Fibrillationis treated by delivering a quick electric shock through the chest using a device called an external defibrillator. The electric shock can immediately restore the heartbeat to a normal rhythm, and should be done as quickly as possible” (Ventricular Fibrillation). Later medicines will be given to the person to regain his normal heartbeat and heart function. Burning Burning is another problem developed when electricity passes through human body. “When an electrical current passes through the human body it heats the tissue along the length of the current flow. This can result in deep burns that often require major surgery and are permanently disabling” (Electrical Injuries). As in the case of other conductors, human body also offers some resistance to the passage of electricity. Only superconductors are capable of offering zero resistance to electric flow. Since human body is not a super conductor, it may offer some resistance to electric flow. When electric flow encounters with resistance, heat will be generated. This principle is used in the creation of electricity oriented heating equipment such as water heaters, electric iron etc. In short, when human body come in contact with electricity, heat will be generated in the body and the result would be burning. Thousands of people are losing their life every year because of the burning suffered from electric shock. Voltage, current and resistance are the three factors which causes electric shock oriented burns. High voltage, high current and high resistance would result in high percentage of burning. Entry and exit points of electricity in human body may suffer visible burns. Internal burns may not be visible. Electric burns are normally classified into six categories based on the severity of the accident; low voltage burn, high voltage burn, arc burn, flash burn, flame burn, oral burn. As the name indicates, low voltage and high voltage burns are suffered due to low and high voltages. These type of burns cause severe injuries depending on the period of contact with electricity and the amount of electric current passed through the body. Arc burns on the other hand is caused by electric flow from high resistance area to low resistance area through air. No contact is required to suffer arc burn. Flash burns normally occur on skin surface alone. It may not cause damage to the tissues below the skin. Flame burns are caused by ignited electric sources whereas oral burn occurs when a person accidently bites wires carrying electricity. If the burns are mild, it is better to treat the burned skin with cooled water as a first aid. In the case of severe burns, the patient should be hospitalized immediately. The victim’s breathing and pulses should be checked and, if necessary, cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts should be started while waiting for emergency help for hospitalization (Electrical Burns Electrical Shock, Electrocution) Asphyxiation Asphyxiation is a medical condition in which a person experiences difficulties in breathing. Breathing problems result in reduced oxygen supply to body and the outcome would be severe. It should be noted that majority of the human body metabolisms are oxygen dependent. For blood circulation and brain activities, oxygen is necessary. It should be noted that breathing problems may cause problems not only in oxygen absorption, but also in carbon dioxide ejection. The accumulation of carbon dioxide inside the body is as dangerous as the failure to absorb or breathe oxygen. Carbon dioxide is a toxic or poisonous gas and its amount beyond certain limits may cause damages to body. Some of the most common symptoms of electricity oriented Asphyxia are; headedness, nausea, and gasping, followed by unconsciousness. When electric shock occurs to a person breathing problems or Asphyxiation may develop as one among the several other consequences. According to a study conducted by Levy in 1971, “in electrical asphyxiation the lack of respiratory movements during the shock coupled with the rapid development of a very severe metabolic acidosis caused very early cardiac standstill” (Levy, p.164). Helping the victim to regain breathing activities is the first step while dealing with Asphyxiation cases. One of the common method employed for artificial respiration is the prone method. Loosen the clothing’s from around the neck of the injured. Place him on a flat surface in a face down position, one arm extended other arm bent. The head is to rest on the bent arm and turned side ways. Place yourself astride on a kneeling position and facing the injured head .Place your hand flat over lower part of the back covering the lower ribs, on both sides keeping your arm straight. Gradually apply your weight forward on to the injured to produce a firm pressure. By this means the air is forced out of the injured lung. Now raise your body back wards slowly to remove the pressure but keeping your hands in position. Repeat this forward and backward movement every 4—5 seconds i.e. 12—15 times per minute. Continue the process for hours if necessary until he recovers or declared dead by the physician (First Aid Treatment of Shock, Bleeding and Stoppage of Breathing (Asphyxia)) Secondary Injury So far, we have discussed the primary injuries caused by electric shock. There are plenty of secondary injuries also developed as a result of electric shock. Muscle cell disruption, muscle contractions, swelling and necrosis, Compartment syndrome, trauma etc are some of the secondary injuries developed from electric shock. People who receive an electric shock often get painful muscle spasms that can be strong enough to break bones or dislocate joints. This loss of muscle control often means the person cannot ‘let go’ or escape the electric shock. The person may fall if they are working at height or be thrown into nearby machinery and structures (Electrical Injuries). In short, secondary injuries caused by electrical injuries are as dangerous as primary injuries. It should not be forgotten that secondary injuries are invisible to naked eye whereas primary injuries are visible. Many people have the habit of treating only the primary injuries while avoiding the secondary injuries. In other words, shock victims may not go to hospitals if they suffer mild shock and regain normality within a short period. However, studies have showed that secondary injuries may persist, even if a person was able to overcome the difficulties of caused by the primary injuries. Hospitalization is necessary in the case of all electric shock oriented injuries. Only the medical procedures can conclude whether a person suffers secondary injury or not as a result of electric shock. Soldering Risk factors High temperatures Whenever your soldering iron is in-hand, always stay keenly aware of exactly what you're doing – don't be tempted to look away or turn around to have a conversation while soldering. Being distracted while holding a searingly hot soldering iron can result in the heated tip making contact with your person and/or flammable materials at your workstation, which can lead to burns or the ignition of a fire (How to Prevent Soldering-Related Health Hazards) High temperature is necessary for soldering purposes. The melting point of lead is around 327 degree Celsius. It should be noted that the boiling point of water is only 100 degree Celsius and even that temperature is sufficient enough to cause burns. Under such circuses, 327 degree Celsius is an extremely higher temperature to cause burns. The tip of the soldering iron should not be touched under any circumstances when it is plugged in. Moreover, while handling soldering iron care should be taken to avoid body contact with the iron. Soldering iron can, not only cause high temperature related burns but also electric shocks. It is quite possible that electric current may pass through the iron tip because of the faulty inner circuits. The electrical supply should switched off and the iron should be taken out from the plug hole before touching its tip. Lead & Fumes Lead does not get absorbed through the skin, and is actually not present in solder fumes to any appreciable degree. The greatest risk of hand soldering with lead comes from ingesting lead by eating or smoking without first washing. Health risks include increased blood pressure, fertility problems, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, irritability, and memory or concentration problems. The latest health data indicates that there is no amount of lead that will not be detrimental to health (What Kind of Solder to Use) Even though lead is one of the most useful metals in the world, it has many disadvantages also. Apart from soldering purposes, lead is used for the making of majority of the batteries like car battery, mobile battery etc. However, lead has the ability to cause health problems if it enters body somehow. Disposal of lead is becoming a big problem in the modern world. If disposed improperly lead can enter body through different means. Since lead is an essential ingredient of the solder, it is necessary to handle it carefully. Soldering can generate fumes. Fumes of all kinds are dangerous to health since it contains gases other than oxygen. In the case of soldering fumes, the danger is doubles since it is coming out from another toxic metal lead. “A toxic and potentially-carcinogenic lead oxide can be transported in fume form to your lungs, where it would then gain direct entry into your bloodstream” (How to Prevent Soldering-Related Health Hazards). Rosin core is an essential ingredient of standard solder. This material has the ability to cause cancer as well as lung problems. So it is necessary to avoid breathing fumes coming out from soldering works. Breathing fumes during soldering may cause respiratory system irritation, headache and irritation of mucous membranes. Smoke during soldering will contain rosin which is an allergen and can cause respiratory system irritation and damage. Repeated ingestion of lead can result in systemic poisoning (Product Information) Apart from respiratory problems, rosin exposure may cause another health problem; Colophony Dermatitis. Colophony Dermatitis is a kind of allergy which can causes intense itching, inflamed skin, and blisters. In short, exposure to rosin may create internal as well as external health problems. Wearing a mask will help the person who undertakes soldering to avoid fume related health problems. Fume extractor is another equipment used by people who often undertake soldering works. Soldering should be conducted only in an open or properly ventilated area. Under no circumstances, fumes should be accumulated inside the rooms in which soldering is going on. Exhaust fans are also necessary to avoid breathing soldering fumes. Works Cited “Electrical Burns Electrical Shock, Electrocution”. 2011. Web. 14 October 2012. “Electrical Injuries”. Web. 14 October 2012. “First Aid Treatment of Shock, Bleeding and Stoppage of Breathing (Asphyxia)”. Web. 14 October 2012. “How to Prevent Soldering-Related Health Hazards”. Web. 14 October 2012. Levy L.S. “Physiological Changes During Electrical Asphyxiation”. 1971. Br J Ind Med. 1971 April; 28(2): 164–171. Print. “Product Information”. Web. 14 October 2012. “Ventricular Fibrillation”. 2012. Web. 14 October 2012. “What Kind of Solder to Use”. Web. 14 October 2012. Read More