Worker critical after being electrocuted in Western Cape

A worker was critically injured when the platform was raised, and it touched the overhead power cables.

WHAT HAPPENED ON TUESDAY?

According to Netcare911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst, the incident happened around 14:42 on Tuesday in Brackenfell, Cape Town.

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“On Tuesday afternoon, Netcare 911 responded to electrocution at a warehouse in Brackenfell, Cape Town.

“Reports indicate that while working on a cherry picker, an adult male had been electrocuted when the platform was raised, touching overhead power cables,” Herbst said.

THE WORKER SUSTAINED CRITICAL INJURIES

The man was found to have sustained critical injuries.

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“Once the machinery was locked out, advanced life support paramedics were able to treat the badly burned man.

“Once stabilised, the patient was transported through to a specialist facility for the care he required,” Herbst said.

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE RECEIVES A SHOCK

Here are seven ways to help someone who has been electrocuted:

• 1  Do not attempt to pull them from the electrical source with your bare hands. You may be electrocuted too.
• 2  Do not move someone who has been shocked unless they are still in danger of being shocked again.
• 3  Try to turn off the source of the electricity. If you can’t, remove the source of electricity from the person using a piece of insulating material, such as a length of wood.
• 4  Once you have removed the victim from the electrical source, check to see if the person is breathing and if they have a pulse.
• 5  If they show signs of shock, lie them down and, if possible, position the head slightly lower than the trunk with the legs elevated.
• 6  Don’t go near high-voltage wires until the power is turned off. Stay at least six metres away, farther if wires are jumping and sparking.
• 7  Call medical emergency services if the person has trouble breathing, loses consciousness, has seizures, muscle pain or numbness, or is feeling heart symptoms like a fast heartbeat.