Protect yourself and others from electrical hazards!

What to do in the event of an electric shock?

Every day, thousands of workers face electrical hazards, a danger that can cause serious injury or even death and it is therefore essential to know what to do in the event of an electric shock.

Put safety first
Before helping someone who has suffered an electric shock, make sure that the source of electricity is turned off and that the victim is no longer in danger. Safety first!

Call the emergency services
Call the emergency number or ask someone else to do so. The sooner medical help arrives, the better.

Do not touch the victim
Avoid touching the person affected unless they need to be moved away from the source of electricity. Do not put your own safety at risk.

Provide CPR if necessary
If the person is not breathing and has no pulse, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if you know how.

Do not give salts or fluids
Never give the victim salts or any other treatment. It should be left to health professionals to determine what treatment is necessary.

General preventive measures

Awareness and training
Make sure that people working or living in the area are aware of any electrical hazards and know how to act safely. Provide electrical safety training.

Disconnecting
Before carrying out any work on electrical equipment or making any repairs, ensure that the power supply is disconnected. Use lockout padlocks and tags if necessary.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Use appropriate PPE, such as insulating gloves, safety glasses, hard hats and dielectric footwear to provide protection from electrical shocks.

Regular maintenance
Maintain electrical installations and equipment regularly to identify and correct potential problems before they become hazards.

 

Measures to prevent direct electrical contact

Disconnect power sources
Before working on electrical equipment or circuits, disconnect and secure the power supply.

Lockout and tagout
Use lockout devices and tags to prevent accidental reconnection of power sources during work.

Check voltage
Before touching any electrical components, make sure there is no voltage across the circuit. Use a voltage detector or multimeter to check.

Grounding and short-circuiting
Use proper grounding and short-circuiting devices to reduce the risk of electric shock.

 

Measures to prevent indirect electrical contact

Grounding exposed conductive parts
Ground machine and tool housings to prevent them from becoming electrically charged.

Safe currents
Use low voltage circuits (e.g. 24V) instead of hazardous voltages whenever possible.

Separating circuits
Keep power circuits separate from control and communication circuits to reduce the risk of indirect contacts.

Double insulation
Use double insulated equipment and tools to provide an extra layer of safety.

 

It is important to keep in mind that specific preventive measures may vary depending on the environment and the type of electrical work being performed. Always follow the electrical safety rules and regulations in force in the local area and seek the advice of a qualified professional if you are unsure how to proceed safely. Electrical safety is essential for preventing accidents and serious injury.