Making Synapses · Bringing Knowledge to Mankind
ElectricityCPR within 4 minutes
After an electric shock, CPR must be given within 4 minutes to be effective; after that it has limited usefulness. That is why OSHA wants exposed workers no more than 4 minutes from someone trained in first aid and CPR, and the injured worker placed where CPR can begin as soon as possible.
Free to startScenarios
- A field crew: the injured worker has just been brought down from the pole.
- A substation, where a trained person must be able to reach each exposed employee within 4 minutes.
The steps
- If the worker is on the pole, bring them down first to a safe location where CPR can be given.
- Place the worker in a position where CPR and first aid can begin.
- A person trained in first aid and CPR starts CPR.
- Start within 4 minutes of the shock, the time in which CPR is effective.
- Use the first-aid supplies kept readily available on the job.
Safety rules that stop the station
- After 4 minutes, CPR has limited usefulness.
To pass
- Exposed employees are no more than 4 minutes from a person trained in first aid and CPR.
- The 4 minutes are not an absolute time limit for responding to an accident, and they do not count the delay in discovering it.
Official source
Federal · OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.269
Interpretation of the electric power standard (June 4, 1996)
OSHA publishes free its June 4, 1996 interpretation of 1910.269: first aid, CPR within 4 minutes and rescue from the pole in the field.
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by OSHA, The Pulitzer Prizes or any utility or training provider. Agency names are named only to describe the content.