Burns Second-degree burn after a high tension line accident Heating due to resistance can cause extensive and deep burns. When applied to the hand, electricity can cause involuntary muscle contraction, producing the "no-let-go" phenomenon, and increasing the risk for serious burns. Voltage levels of 500 to 1000 volts tend to cause internal burns due to the large energy (which is proportional to the duration multiplied by the square of the voltage divided by resistance) available from the source. Damage due to current is through tissue heating and/or electroporation<unk> . For most cases of high-energy<unk>  trauma, the Joule heating in the deeper tissues along the extremity will reach damaging temperatures in a few seconds. Ventricular fibrillation A domestic power supply voltage (110 or 230 V), 50 or 60 Hz alternating current (AC) through the chest for a fraction of a second may induce ventricular fibrillation at currents as low as 30 milliamperes (mA). With direct current (DC), 300 to 500 mA is required. If the current has a direct pathway to the heart (e.g., via a cardiac catheter or other kind of electrode), a much lower current of less than 1 mA (AC or DC) can cause fibrillation. If not immediately treated by defibrillation, fibrillation is usually lethal because all of the heart muscle fibres move independently instead of in the coordinated pulses needed to pump blood and maintain circulation. Above 200 mA, muscle contractions are so strong that the heart muscles cannot move at all, but these conditions prevent fibrillation. Neurological effects<unk>  current can cause interference with nervous control, especially over the heart and lungs. Electric shock which does not lead to death has been shown to cause neuropathy at the site where the current entered the body. The neurologic symptoms of<unk>  may occur immediately, which traditionally have a higher likelihood for healing, though they may also be delayed by days to years. The delayed neurologic consequences of<unk>  have a worse prognosis. When the patch of<unk>  current proceeds through the head, it appears that, with sufficient current applied, loss of consciousness almost always occurs swiftly. This is borne out by some limited self-experimentation by early designers of the electric chair and by research from the field of animal husbandry, where electric stunning has been extensively studied. If ventricular fibrillation occurs (as above), the blood supply to the brain is diminished, which may cause cerebral hypoxia (and its associated neurologic consequences). Mental health There are a variety of psychiatric effects that may occur as a result of<unk> es. Behavioral changes can occur as well, even if the path of<unk>  current did not proceed through the head. Symptoms may include: *Depression, including feelings of low self-esteem and guilt *Anxiety spectrum disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and fear of electricity *Moodiness, including a lower threshold for frustration and "losing one's temper" *Memory loss, decreased attention span, and difficulty learning Arc-flash hazards OSHA found that up to 80 percent of its<unk> es involve thermal burns due to arcing faults. The arc flash in an<unk>  fault produces the same type of light radiation from which electric welders protect themselves using face shields with dark glass, heavy leather gloves, and full-coverage clothing. The heat produced may cause severe burns, especially on unprotected flesh. The arc blast produced by vaporizing metallic components can break bones and damage internal organs. The degree of hazard present at a particular location can be determined by a detailed analysis of the<unk>  system, and appropriate protection worn if the<unk>  work must be performed with the electricity on.
Electrical injury
Thermal trauma
Running injuries
Barotrauma
Trauma
Work accident
High pressure injection injury
Blunt trauma