High tension electric trauma at workplaces in Sri Lanka

Abstract

High tension electrocution causes characteristic injury patterns and sequelae. Work related electric trauma are reported annually with no emphasis on its prevention. The differing patterns of the injuries related to high tension electrocutions are illustrated in this article as three distinctive case reports. The first clinical case is related to the arcing current resulting in bilateral hand amputation while carrying metal pipes in the vicinity of a high tension electric source. In the second instance a plumber whilst inspecting a water tank on the third floor was electrocuted by the overhead high tension power line, initially rendering him unconscious and resulting in death 65 days later. In the third, both the entry and exit wounds were identified due to true electrocution as the victim was touching a side mirror of a crane that in turn was in physical contact with a high tension power line in the process of lifting a transformer. Understanding of the differing mechanisms of causation of these injuries is immensely helpful to clinicians and forensic pathologists in order to provide appropriate treatment as electrocution causes complex, both immediate and delayed onset disease entities. It is helpful also in the interpretation of injury patterns in the process of tracing and reconstructing the succession of events for making compensation claims and for successful preventive strategies.