EMG/Specific/TBT-EMG-022

Electric Shock Rescue

Emergency Preparedness › Specific › Electric Shock Rescue

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Electric shock occurs when the body becomes part of an electrical circuit, causing current to flow through tissue.
Contact with 230V mains supply can kill instantly — even 50V can be fatal in wet or damp conditions.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require safe systems of work to prevent danger from electricity.
Common causes on construction sites include damaged cables, faulty tools, contact with live services, and overhead lines.
Electrical current disrupts the heart's rhythm — ventricular fibrillation can occur within one second of contact.
Burns from electrical contact can be internal — entry and exit wounds may look small but damage runs deep.
A casualty in contact with a live source becomes live themselves — touching them makes you a second casualty.
Delayed cardiac arrest can occur up to 24 hours after an electric shock, so hospital attendance is always essential.
Every site must have trained first aiders and an accessible AED (automated external defibrillator) where possible.
Knowing the rescue procedure before an incident happens is critical — you will not have time to learn during one.

Save a life	A correct rescue response within the first three minutes dramatically increases the casualty's chance of survival.
Protect yourself	Touching a casualty still in contact with a live source will make you the second victim — you must isolate first.
Legal duty of care	Employers must ensure workers are trained in emergency procedures including electrical rescue under the MHSWR 1999.
Hidden injuries	Internal burns and cardiac damage may not show immediately — every shock casualty needs hospital assessment urgently.

Don't

Isolate the electrical supply immediately — switch off, unplug, or trip the circuit breaker.
Call 999 and state "electrocution" with the exact site location and access point.
Use a dry, non-conductive object to separate the casualty from the source if needed.
Begin CPR immediately if the casualty is not breathing — 30 compressions, 2 breaths.
Use the nearest AED as soon as possible and follow the voice prompts it gives.
Cool any visible burns with clean running water for at least 20 minutes.
Place an unconscious but breathing casualty into the recovery position and monitor them.
Know the location of the nearest isolator switches, AED, and first aid point on site.
Ensure someone meets the emergency services at the site entrance to guide them in.
Report the incident immediately to your supervisor and record all details accurately.

DON'T touch the casualty until you are certain the electrical supply has been isolated.
DON'T use wet, metal, or conductive objects to push a casualty away from a live source.
DON'T assume a conscious casualty is fine — delayed cardiac arrest can occur hours later.
DON'T apply creams, ointments, or adhesive dressings directly to electrical burn wounds.
DON'T move the casualty unless they are in immediate further danger from the environment.
DON'T attempt to disconnect high voltage equipment — evacuate the area and call 999.
DON'T allow the casualty to refuse hospital treatment — insist medical assessment is required.
DON'T stand in water or on wet ground while attempting to rescue a shock casualty.
DON'T delay calling emergency services while trying other interventions first.
DON'T re-energise the circuit until the cause of the incident has been fully investigated.

See also: Electrical Safety Awareness | Medical Emergency Response on Site

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