RESOURCES

Electrical Injury and Trauma Resources

Electrocution Prevention

ELECTROCUTION PREVENTION

CETRI recognizes that the most effective treatment for electrical shock and electrocution injuries is to reduce future recurrences. Over the past 20 years, CETRI investigators have contributed to professional standards committee discussions about safe work practice guidelines and protection equipment development in North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. The goal is to continue the refinement of standards based on our evolving understanding of biophysics and the pathophysiology of electrical injury and electrocution.

The following links provide more detailed information.
Additional information can be obtained from the Occupational Safety and Health Association. Call Us here at CETRI if you need additional references.

PATIENT RESOURCES

A 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace.

NFPA provides resources on electrical hazards.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides resources on workplace safety and other prevalent health topics.

AVO consists of a team of instructors, electrical engineers, safety specialists, and support staff committed to eliminating electrical hazards in the workplace and empowering employees to do their work safely and effectively.

An interdisciplinary organization focused on studying lightning and related phenomena to promote lightning safety, prevent injuries, and improve the treatment of survivors.

A not-for-profit support group created by survivors to help survivors, their spouses, and other interested parties.

Dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by burn injuries through patient care, education, research, and advocacy.

Offers no-obligation quotes from reliable contractors in Chicago and surrounding Illinois.

A helpline that gives information regarding every form of charitable, long-distance medical air transportation.

STATISTICS

  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical injury has been responsible for an average of 320 deaths and over 4,000 injuries that involved days away from work per annum in the United States.
  • Electrical injury is the second leading cause of fatality in the construction industry, and it makes up 5 to 6% of all occupational fatalities.
  • Out of injuries caused by contact with overhead powerlines, 26.4 to 60.3 percent of cases resulted in over 31 days away from work (verses 18 to 20% for all other occupational injuries and illness).
  • 78% of a sample of electrical trauma survivors were found to have one or two psychiatric diagnoses, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, cognitive disorder NOS, or mental disorder NOS. (JINS 2006 12:17)
  • Electrical injury mortality rate is 3-15%, resulting in 3-5 deaths/million inhabitants of Europe. The survivors' long-term consequences are more frequent, with 25-70 percent of accidents resulting in amputations & neurological sequelae in young adults. (Lancet 2004 363:2136)
  • Electrical injuries' cost to employers has been approximated as $15.75 million per case in direct and indirect costs. (Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA)