An arc flash event will injure employees in several ways. It will burn them, it will peg them with nearby objects, it will hit them with blunt force from the blast pressure, and it will damage their ears with a sound blast which can reach upwards of 140dB. An arc flash event will also likely start a fire and create deadly heat, reaching temperatures as high as 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. For these reasons, it is imperative that you assess your facility for arc flash danger zones and do everything you can to limit the risk of an arc flash event.

The regulations surrounding arc flash are set in NFPA 70E, which OSHA regulators will follow should your facility be audited. Unfortunately, this regulation is difficult to understand and sets many guidelines which can be difficult to effectively monitor. Further complicating the matter, IEEE 1584 is used as an alternative by many companies, as it is more user friendly, however it is hardly a complete guideline. Following the guidelines set forth in IEEE1584 should only be a starting point, not an ending point, for creating an effective arch flash and shock safety program.

At the core of your arc flash and shock safety plan must be employee training, proper labels, de-energizing circuits, and personal protective equipment. In the event your employees will be working with energized circuits, it is imperative to have a safety program in place and to properly train the employees how to follow the safety program. This program should include insulated tools, personal protective equipment, and a system which only allows qualified individuals access to the energized circuits.

If you have any questions about your arc flash and shock safety plan, please contact us. And if you have any other information about arc flash and shock hazards, please leave a comment.