UK Static shock severity

[Aliballibee]

Looking for opinions on how severe a (presumed) static shock can be?

Client has a passenger lift, passenger presses the lift button and receives a shock, presumed to be static, as nothing in the lift tripped. No entry wound / marks but passenger goes off to hospital and is told they have burn marks on their feet.

On the basis this is static, does it ever generate enough current to cause physical harm / damage?

All thoughts welcome.

 

[static zap]

Sounds weird , any signs of spillage ,insulted platform conductive periphery ?
Pictures of footwear . Video footage.
Any thunderstorms on that day!

 

[ipf]

Sounds weird , any signs of spillage ,insulted platform conductive periphery ?
Pictures of footwear . Video footage.
Any thunderstorms on that day!

I'll back up the expert...literally, although I've never been static zapped to such an extent.

 

[snowhead]

I would say no to Static.
The lift should already have been isolated and the lift engineers should be investigating.

 

[James]

Static should surprise you, not send you to hospital.
Bare foot in a metal box would give you burns on feet if you had direct or indirect contact with electricity.

Needs a thorough checkup by engineer

 

[davesparks]

Whilst this story sounds unlikely it would still be prudent to isolate the lift until it is properly investigated fully.
And since someone has gone to hospital this should probably be reported to HSE and proper procedure followed.

Don't get involved in the investigation unless you are qualified to do so and properly insured to consult on this.

 

[Aliballibee]

Thanks all for the responses.

Its not my project but my own thought was that, although static can give you a nasty jolt, it isn't likely to cause this level of damage. I believe the lift has been thoroughly checked, no faults found and an incident report produced.

The affected passenger is considering taking things further so we will wait and see if that occurs.

 

[davesparks]

Thanks all for the responses.

Its not my project but my own thought was that, although static can give you a nasty jolt, it isn't likely to cause this level of damage. I believe the lift has been thoroughly checked, no faults found and an incident report produced.

The affected passenger is considering taking things further so we will wait and see if that occurs.

Steer well clear of it of you can, the facts you have presented make me think this is all about the claim and not so much about the truth.

Unless they were standing barefoot in the lift or wearing conductive shoes I doubt that burns could have occurred.

 

[static zap]

this is all about the claim and not so much about the truth.

Agree with somethings off , but their account of things will be poor.
Thinking entry/exit wounds as step into lift .. or wander into lift from nearby incident out of habit.
... and confused account. (so not totally negated).
My wife was Canadian and enjoyed the freedom of bare feet !

 

[DPG]

No way does a static discharge cause burns to feet. Keep us posted.