Electric shock hazards

Contact: Dr Michael Thierbach (thierbach@kan.de)

Even today, electric shock accidents (occasionally fatal) still occur when electrical equipment is used. In certain working conditions, e.g. in wet areas, on microscale construction sites and in the agricultural sector, the hazards are particularly significant.

From the perspective of occupational health and safety, it is thus necessary to exploit the technical possibilities and to reduce the residual risk even further by, for example, stepping up the use of residual current-operated protective devices. In addition to safe design, responsible operation and proper maintenance, the safety of electrical equipment also depends on the permanent electrical installations upstream from it. Strategies intended to prevent these risks should take these factors into account too.

For further information on the subject, see:

• KANBrief 2/01: Preventing hazards presented by electric shock
• KANBrief 2/01: Avoidance of electrical hazards by residual current-operated protective devices
• KANBrief 2/01: Electric shock hazards in low-voltage systems
• KANBrief 2/01: Portable residual current-operated protective devices
• Article: Measures for reducing electric shock hazards on low-voltage systems