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the amount of current flowing through the body, <br />the current's path through the body, <br />the length of time the Body remains in the circuit, and <br />the current's frequency. <br />This table shows the general relationship between the amount of current received and the <br />reaction when current flows from the hand to the foot for just 1 second. <br />Current Reaction <br />Below 1 <br />milliampere <br />Generally not perceptible <br />1 milliampere <br />Faint tingle <br />5 milliamperes <br />Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing. Average individual can <br />let go. Strong involuntary reactions can lead to other injuries. <br />6-25 milliamperes <br />(women) <br />painful shock, loss of muscular control* <br />9-30 milliamperes <br />The freezing current or " let -go" range.* Individual cannot let go, but <br />(men) <br />can be thrown away from the circuit if extensor muscles are <br />stimulated. <br />50-150 <br />Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular contractions. <br />milliamperes <br />Death is possible. <br />1,000-4,300 <br />Rhythmic pumping action of the heart ceases. Muscular contraction <br />milliamperes <br />and nerve damage occur; death likely. <br />10,000 <br />milliamperes <br />Cardiac arrest, severe burns; death probable <br />* If the extensor muscles <br />are excited by the shock, the person may be thrown away from <br />the power source. <br />Source: W.B. Kouwenhoven, " Human Safety and Electric Shock," Electrical Safety <br />Practices, Monograph, 112, Instrument Society of America, p. 93. November 1968. <br />What kind of burns can a shock cause? <br />Burns are the most common shock -related injury. An electrical accident can result in an <br />electrical burn, arc burn, thermal contact burn, or a combination of burns. <br />Electrical burns are among the most serious burns and require immediate medical <br />attention. They occur when electric current flows through tissues or bone, generating <br />- heat that causes tissue damage. - - --- - <br />Arc or flash burns result from high temperatures caused by an electric arc or explosion <br />near the body. These burns should be treated promptly. <br />Thermal contact burns are caused when the skin touches hot surfaces of overheated <br />electric conductors, conduits, or other energized equipment. Thermal burns also can be <br />caused when clothing catches on fire, as may occur when an electric arc is produced. <br />In addition to shock and burn hazards, electricity poses other dangers. For example, arcs <br />