Electrical injury in construction workers: a special focus on injury with electrical power.

BACKGROUND: Electrical injury in construction workers due to contact with overhead power lines accounts for an important cause of admission at the emergency department. Due to lack of specific treatment options for this type of injury, prevention remains the mainstay of management.

AIMS: Our study aimed to demonstrate the characteristics of electrical injury in construction workers among one of the largest Iranian population at a burn care hospital.

METHODS: Through a retrospective review of hospital data base, patients with electrical injuries admitted to Motahari hospital in Tehran, Iran between March 2011 and June 2012 were included for analysis. Patients were divided into construction workers and other patients. Primary characteristics and final outcomes were then compared between the 2 study groups.

RESULTS: Of 202 patients included in this study, 105 patients (52%) were construction workers and 97 patients (48%) constituted the remainder. There was significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of mean age, gender, and average burn size. In contrast, mean duration of hospitalization and mortality rate did not differ significantly between the 2 study groups (p>0.05). Contacts with over head power-lines accounted for the most common mechanism of injury. There was significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of place of injury and electrical current power. However, total cost of treatment did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (p>0.05). Frequency of severe complications was higher in construction workers and this group underwent more invasive procedures such as limb amputation and fasciotomy.

CONCLUSION: The most common mechanism of electrical injuries in construction workers is due to contact with over head high voltage power-lines at workplace. This type of electrical injury is associated with higher use of fasciotomy, flap and limb amputation.