STAMI can provide information on health effects and injuries caused by electric current, and how to follow up exposed workers. The target groups include:
- Electricians
- Electrical and energy companies
- The parties of working life
- Supervisory authorities
- Primary and specialist health services, including occupational health services
- Schools/apprenticeship programs for electricians
- Companies that develop and conduct safety courses for the industry
Accident prevention is crucial. Studies show that individuals involved in electrical accidents may experience health issues such as nerve damage, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological effects as a result of the incident.
To contribute to fewer accidents, authorities emphasise the development and management of regulations and guidelines for correct work.
Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) training in basic education and apprenticeship, as well as mandatory annual safety and first aid training, are other examples of accident prevention measures. There is strong evidence indicating that the active and positive participation of company management is crucial for achieving success in this work.
Knowledge of risk factors
Successful accident prevention involves designing, planning, organising, and facilitating the work in a way that makes safe working methods not only possible, but also preferred by the individual worker. Companies must consider safety in all work and production line planning, avoiding decisions that make it more difficult for individuals to work safely.
The individual worker also has an independent responsibility for ensuring that the work is safe. Awareness that there is an interaction between the framework and individual risk factors will ensure the success of the selected accident prevention measures.
When accidents do occur, reporting the incident is essential. By mapping the direct and underlying factors behind accidents, companies will gain valuable insight about individual behavioral risk factors, risks associated with safety culture or interaction in workgroups, and framework conditions such as organisation and work facilitation. This knowledge can, in turn, form the basis for new accident prevention measures.
Follow-up after electrical injuries
Most low voltage electrical accidents do not cause negative health effects, but both acute and delayed injuries can occur from such exposures.
That is why the National Institute of the Occupational Health (STAMI) has contributed to developing recommendations for when you should seek medical help after an electrical accident.
Medical aid shall be provided immediately if the injured person has been exposed to or experiences:
- Low voltage current through heart region or torso
- High voltage current (through any part of body)
- Electric shock from lightning
- Loss of consciousness, confusion or if the person feels unwell
- Burns
- Signs of nerve injury (for example paralysis, balance problems or numbness)
Medical aid is defined as a General Practitioner (GP), emergency room or medical emergency phone number/113.
The recommendations are available on an app (see below for download) prepared in collaboration with the industry organizations and the Directorate for Civil Protection.
In addition, the app contains useful information about health follow-up after such accidents, and information for employers about notification and follow-up after accidents. The text has been translated into Polish and English.
Download the Strømulykke-app (available in English and Polish)
Further reading: Strømskader (Norwegian site)