Thomas received 10,000 volts through his body

Thomas Oceng received 10,000 volts through his body when he drilled into what turned out to be a live beam. The father of the toddler miraculously survived, but had to be treated in hospital with severe burns.
– I am very happy that I survived, says Thomas Oceng in Efter fem.

The life of Thomas Oceng, the father of young children, changed this year on September 11. During his shift as a sheet metal worker, he drilled into a beam that turned out to be live. Suddenly it narrowed and Thomas received 10,000 volts through his body.

– The first thought was that now it’s over, I’m dead. But a few seconds later I feel alive, even though it was pitch dark in there. Thank god I was working very close to a door, so I opened the door and got out as fast as possible. But then I looked at my arms, I saw how the skin was hanging.

“He was unrecognizable”

Miraculously, Thomas survived, but was treated in hospital for almost three weeks with burns to his hands, arms, face and torso. Thomas’ partner Jennifer talks about the first meeting at the hospital after the accident.

– He was not recognisable. He was swollen and wrapped. It’s not where you want your partner to be. Now and then I cried, but was grateful that he was with us.

“When the accident easily happens”

The incident is being investigated as a workplace accident. In 2023, approximately 39,400 work accidents were reported that required some form of sick leave, which is 4,000 more than the year before. So far this year, 33,380 injuries requiring sick leave have been reported. Elinor Torp is a journalist, author and monitors work environment and labor law. She believes that accidents at workplaces are to some extent due to chains of contractors where communication can break down.

– Today, there are a lot of small companies that come in. It becomes like a jumble. No one takes responsibility for people in working life. It is then that the accident easily happens.

In After five, Thomas says that today he feels better and has been able to start doing things without anyone else’s help.

– It means a lot. It makes things a little easier for my partner. Less than two weeks ago I started driving.