Paramedics say a 36-year-old worker is lucky to be alive after being electrocuted at a dump site in Vissershok, near Cape Town.

The man was apparently holding onto a metal lid which was being lifted via a crane when he made contact with overhead cables, carrying about 16 thousand volts.

NETCARE spokesperson Lauren Copley said for a moment it was touch and go.

"According to the paramedic on the scene, he was extremely lucky that he hadn't been subjected to prolonged exposure, otherwise he definitely wouldn't have survived," she said.

The man escaped with second degree burns to his hands and third degree burns to his feet.