Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Report: One Injured in Georgia Power Plant Accident
Georgia Power is reporting that a contract worker suffered electrical burn on both arms at its Bowen Power Plant. The Georgia Power plant is located six miles west of Cartersville. Apparently, one contract working was performing off-line maintenance when an electrical arc formed between two pieces of equipment. The worker was burned on both arms and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Fortunately, no explosion occurred and the contract employee is expected to recover.
According to a study published in Electrical Safety Foundation International, nearly 30,000 workers died while on the job during the years 2003 to 2007. Contact with a form of electrical current was the seventh leading cause of occupational deaths during this period, leading to over 1,200 work related deaths. Another 13,000 workers were injured so severely due to electrical accidents that they required time off work.
Those in the construction industry, including electricians, roofers, painters, construction workers, and those who repair electrical power lines form the top two occupational groups who have suffered the most fatal electrical injuries.
Electrical injuries, such as electrical shock and electrocution, pose a serious threat to power plant and construction workers each day. In fact, anyone who works in a field where electricity might come into contact with anything damp or where electrical cords could be frayed or deformed are at risk. Moreover, workers can be injured by high voltage power lines as well as power cords, extension cords, and faulty or defective power tools.
Electrical Injuries Can be Severe
There are four main types of electrical injuries:
• Electrocution
• Electric shock
• Burns
• Falls
These injuries can occur through direct contact with exposed electric conductors or when electricity arcs or jumps from an exposed conductor, such as overhead power lines, to the person who is grounded. Thermal burns can result from the heat created by an electric arc and flame burns occur when clothing or other parts of the body catch fire. An electric arc can cause physical injuries, such collapsing lungs or creating noise that can damage hearing. The reaction associated with the arc can cause workers to fall, leading to serious injuries.
All employers must take steps to ensure the safety of their employees and contract workers who will work around electric sources. Proper training and the right equipment can help to reduce the risk of injury or death. If you or a loved one has been injured due to an electrical accident, contact a workers' compensation attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will assist you in obtaining the benefits you deserve and explore your possible recovery options against a third party as well.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Protecting Georgia's Valued Workers
If you or a loved one has been injured at work, contact the Georgia Workers' Compensation Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our law firm is dedicated to assisting injured employees across Georgia and in the Southeast. The sooner you act after your injury, the greater your chances of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of a licensed lawyer as soon as possible. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2015/10/27/one-injured-in-georgia-power-plant-accident.html