Life-changing or Trivial: Electricians' Views About Electrical Accidents

Overview

Journal Work

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Occupational Medicine

Date 2018 Aug 21

PMID 30124461

Citations 4

Authors

Sara Thomee

Kristina Jakobsson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: It is well known that electrical accidents can cause physical injury. Less well known is that long-term consequences may include emotional and cognitive problems.

Objective: To explore electricians' experiences and perceptions of work-related electrical accidents, with focus on psychological short- and long-term consequences, including how contacts with health care services and the workplace were perceived.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 23 Swedish male electricians, aged 25- 68, who had experienced at least one electrical accident and reported residual sensory, musculoskeletal, cognitive or emotional symptoms. Data was analyzed by means of qualitative content analysis.

Results: Immediate emotional reactions included surprise, confusion, fear, anxiety, and anger; also long-term consequences were seen. Experiencing a no-let-go situation was particularly stressful. The cause of the accident, and questions about guilt and blame were central in the aftermath. Lack of knowledge and routine among health care professionals concerning electrical injury was reported, as well as lack of medical and psychological follow-up.

Conclusions: For some informants, the accident had been a life-changing event, while for others it was an event of little importance. Adequate handling at the workplace, and from health care personnel, including follow-up, could facilitate rehabilitation and return to work.

Citing Articles

Examining burnout in the electrical sector in Ontario, Canada: A cross-sectional study.

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PMID: 38187894 PMC: 10764972. DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2023060.

Mental Health Outcomes among Electricians and Plumbers in Ontario, Canada: Analysis of Burnout and Work-Related Factors.

Bani-Fatemi A, Sanches M, Howe A, Lo J, Jaswal S, Chattu V Behav Sci (Basel). 2022; 12(12).

PMID: 36546988 PMC: 9774700. DOI: 10.3390/bs12120505.

Incidence and immediate consequences of electrical shocks among Danish electricians: a cohort study.

Biering K, Kaergaard A, Carstensen O, Nielsen K BMJ Open. 2021; 11(8):e046584.

PMID: 34452958 PMC: 8404446. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046584.

Mental disorders following electrical injuries-A register-based, matched cohort study.

Biering K, Vestergaard J, Kaergaard A, Carstensen O, Nielsen K PLoS One. 2021; 16(2):e0247317.

PMID: 33617562 PMC: 7899322. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247317.

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