Abstract
Purpose
Professional electricians are highly subjected to electrical injuries. Previous studies describing symptoms after electrical injury have not included people with less severe initial injuries. The purpose of the present study was to describe symptoms at different time points after electrical injury, the impact of “no-let-go” phenomenon and different electrical potential [high voltage (HV) vs. low voltage (LV)], and the safety culture at the workplace.
Methods
A retrospective survey was conducted with 523 Swedish electricians. Two questionnaires were issued: the first to identify electricians who had experienced electrical injury and the second to gain information about symptoms and safety culture. Self-reported symptoms were described at different time points following injury. Symptoms for HV and LV accidents were compared. Occurrence or nonoccurrence of “no-let-go” phenomenon was analysed using two-tailed Chi-2. Safety culture was assessed with a validated questionnaire.
Results
Nearly all reported having symptoms directly after the injury, mainly paraesthesia and pain. For the first weeks after injury, pain and muscle weakness dominated. The most frequently occurring symptoms at follow-up were pain, muscle weakness and loss of sensation. HV injuries and “no-let go” phenomenon were associated with more sustained symptoms. Deficiencies in the reporting routines were present, as well as shortage of preventive measures.
Conclusion
The results indicate that symptoms are reported also long time after an electrical injury and that special attention should be paid to HV injuries and “no-let go” accidents. The workplace routines to reduce the number of work-related electrical injuries for Swedish electricians can be improved.
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Acknowledgments
The present study was funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (previously Swedish Council of Working life (FAS Number 2010-0561)) and by the Örebro Research Committee. We would like to express our gratitude to the Swedish Electricians Union, the Swedish Association of Electrical Contractors and the Swedish National Electrical Safety Board for contributions to knowledge in the field of electrical industry and to Lars Ole Goffeng PhD, psychologist and researcher, National Institute of Occupational Health, Norway, for his valuable contributions to the questionnaire. Thanks are also due to research assistant Ing-Liss Bryngelsson, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University Hospital for valuable help with the data analysis.
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Rådman, L., Nilsagård, Y., Jakobsson, K. et al. Electrical injury in relation to voltage, “no-let-go” phenomenon, symptoms and perceived safety culture: a survey of Swedish male electricians. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 89, 261–270 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-015-1069-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-015-1069-3