Arc flash is one of the most overlooked workplace hazards we encounter. It is not because employers intend to put their employees in harm’s way or because safety teams do not do a good job, it is because OSHA relies upon the NFPA to handle the regulations. This creates a situation where some people do not realize that the regulations are required, and where others think they can choose what to follow and what not to follow.

If arc flash, electrocution, or any other shock hazard are a concern at your place of business, please make sure you review NFPA 70E in its entirety. This is the official standard for arc flash and shock safety, and should be followed. There are many “quick guides” and “summaries” available when it comes to arc flash analysis, but while they may be easier to understand, they are not the regulations.

Arc flash and electrocution hazards are among the most dangerous workplace hazards. Errors in these areas can and will result in death, and can and will result in large fines. If you are not sure your procedures and signage are up to code, consider a third party audit. In the event of an emergency, your employees will thank you.

If you have any questions about arc flash and shock hazards, or about how a third party safety audit can help you prepare for these situations, please contact us. If you have anything to add about arc flash and shock hazards, please leave a comment.

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.

Arc flash analysis is another one of those extremely serious hazards which are all too often overlooked by safety teams. Part of the reason for this is the complexity of the rules regulating arc flash, and part of the reason is the fact that OSHA does not directly regulate it. Instead, OSHA relies on NFPA 70E to set their requirements. So, if you are just setting your safety plan based upon OSHA standards which are pertinent to your business, it is very possibly to completely bypass the arc flash requirements.

First and foremost, when establishing arc flash procedures, it is crucial to at least consult with a professional firm which has experience in this arena. Arc flash rules can get extremely complicated, especially for larger companies with more machines, and shortcut guides can often lead to errors. For instance, IEEE 1584 is a common guide used to calculate arc flash hazards, but it is incomplete in several ways and many companies which use only IEEE 1584 guidelines are not actually safe or compliant.

After establishing where there are arc flash hazards, it is important to put proper signage in place. These signs warn employees of the dangers of the machines, and explain how to prevent injury. Without proper signage, arc flash analysis does nothing to help protect employees, and it is important to make sure the correct signs with the correct information go in the correct places.

If you have any questions about arc flash analysis, would like to establish formal procedures for your workplace, or would like to have your current procedures reviewed, please contact us so that we can help you. If you have anything to add about arc flash dangers, please leave a comment.

The potential dangers to employees from arc flash are real, and arc flash analysis and monitoring can be an audit nightmare for business owners. OSHA leans on NFPA 70E to guide their requirements on arc flash analysis and monitoring, which means business owners must do the same. Given the complicated nature of NFPA 70E, however, many business owners rely solely on IEEE 1584 to govern their arc flash procedures. Unfortunately IEEE 1584 is incomplete, and is only intended as a supplement to, rather than a replacement of, NFPA 70E.

When setting arc flash procedures, it is usually advised to contact a professional who has done this before and understands the intricacies of arc flash and NFPA 70E. And many companies do. But what most companies do not do is continue to evaluate their arc flash needs on a regular basis. At the very least, there should be a unit who is tasked with ensuring the arc flash policies in place are still up to code and relevant.

For starters, all machines need to be checked and included in the arc flash analysis. After analysis, all machines need to be properly labeled with acceptable signage and the employees need to be trained. And that is where most companies, unfortunately, stop; they are arc flash compliant, have a trained staff, and perhaps have a basic plan in place to train new hires. But without ongoing maintenance and self auditing, any company runs the risk of falling out of compliance, which is why we recommend at least an annual third party safety audit to ensure arc flash compliance.

For more information on arc flash analysis or annual audits, please contact us. And if you have anything to add about the importance of arc flash maintenance, please leave a comment.

Arc flash hazards are governed by NFPA 70E guidelines and OSHA. Due to the extreme potential dangers of an arc flash situation, there is no leeway given by OSHA or NFPA as it relates to this threat. Correct signage, identification, and borders must be established and regular audits must be performed or your workplace will be unsafe and subject to significant fines.

Many companies only test equipment at 240 V and higher, due to the information released in IEEE 1584. Unfortunately, that only relates to incident energy calculations and does not exempt any companies from the NFPA and OSHA regulations requiring testing of all equipment 50 volts or higher. Testing must also be done on all equipment, regardless of whether it is supplied by a Hazard Risk Category 0 panel. The incorrect assumption that a Hazard Risk Category 0 feed is safe from arc flash hazards has cost many companies substantial sums in penalties from OSHA, and created woefully unsafe environments for employees.

Testing for arc flash hazards can be confusing and unsettling, even for the most experienced safety managers. And with the fluidity of most modern companies, it can be difficult to stay on top of regulatory adherence. But don’t worry, we are here to help. We will test all of your equipment, ensure you are up to code according to NFPA 70E, and create custom signage to make sure you have a safe work environment for your employees. If you have any questions specifically about your company, please contact us.