Effects of Electrical Current Passing Through the Human Body and Safety Requirements

Abstract

With the increasing growth of industrialization and mechanization of workplaces, electric accidents are becoming quite common, and many workers and individuals are unconscious of the potential electrical hazards that their workplaces present and increase their vulnerability. Electrical currents have a wide range of impacts on the human body, from a barely slight tingling to sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, a sound understanding of the engineering perspective and the occupational health and safety risk assessments are essential to prevent and manage these hazards. The severity of electrical current effects on the human body depends on various factors and based on their values stimulate different physiological impacts. Electrical current exposes workers to serious, extensive, and widespread occupational hazards which cause injuries and harm in many circumstances. Practically, due to the high number of accidents and potential risks, working people are exposed to electrical power while performing their daily tasks. In fact, the lack of awareness and concern for safety is the primary cause behind these tragedies. The first step to avoiding these hazards begins with safety awareness. The awareness of electrical hazards and safety precautions of employees and individuals plays an important role in increasing the safety of lives, property, and the environment. To this end, a comprehensive risk assessment and point of view regarding the electrical current and its effects on the human body, and from an electricity source to first aid for electrical shocks are considered in this study. At first, the nature of electricity and the basic principles are provided, then it presents the effects and consequences of electrical current passing through the human body, as well as how the electrical hazards occur and make danger. Lastly, it comprises the basic guidance of safety requirements needed to prevent or minimize the electrical current hazards or risks to the human being.