Electric Tram Dangers.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 2, 1 December 1905, Page 26

Electric Tram Dangers.

Every one in communities where electric trams are running should caretully read the following .—. — A tram trolly wire breaking at a pressure of 500 volts should not be grasped or pulled aside with the naked hand. The hand should be insulated with dry cloth or coat, or preferably with indiarubber gloves, which are usually provided m cars for this purpose. The best thing to do is to keep the trolly wire in contact with the earth by pressing with the foot or with a walking stick, so as to allow the current to pass back to the generating station, where an automatic switch will fall and break off the current. On no account should the wire be lifted. If a trolley wire fall on the hand-rails of a car, an automatic switch should fall at the station and cut off the current. Whether it does so or not, no passenger should take hold of any metal part of the car on which this accident has happened. It has often happened that a man has taken hold of a " live " wire and has been unable to release his grasp. What should be done is to earth the wire, when the pressure is much reduced, and the injured person can be detached from the wire. To some of the accidents above-mentioned the patient will appear to have succumbed from electric shock. But the first-aid student should be able to recognise this condition and apply the proper treatment.