What are the three main injurious effects of electrical current on the body?

The three main injurious effects of electrical current on the body—heart injury, tissue damage, and muscular contractions—are significant in understanding electrical safety in utility practices.

When an electrical current passes through the body, it can disrupt the normal functioning of the heart, potentially leading to arrhythmias or cardiac arrest, which constitutes heart injury. Tissue damage occurs as the current can cause thermal burns or disrupt cellular structures, leading to necrosis or death of the tissue. Muscular contractions, often involuntary, can result from the stimulation of nerve pathways, often making it difficult or impossible for the person to release their grip on the source of electricity, leading to prolonged exposure to harmful currents.

These effects highlight why rigorous safety measures must be observed when working with or around electrical systems to mitigate the risk of electrical accidents and associated injuries.