Arc Flash Safety / Electrical Workplace Safety

Understanding Arc Flash
Most electrical accidents are the result of either electrical contact with an energized piece of equipment or an arc flash blast. An arc flash is caused by a reduction of the insulation or isolation distance between energized components. This could be the result of a tool being inserted or dropped into a breaker or service area or other elements that could compromise the distance between energized components. Incidents often occur when a worker mistakenly fails to ensure that the equipment has been properly de-energized.

NFPA 70E Compliance Helps Protect Your Most Valuable Assets
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® is the document most often referenced for electrical safety. OSHA enforces electrical workplace safety standards outlined inNFPA 70E. Enforcement may take place following an electrical accident or during their routine on-site inspection process.

Schneider Electric Engineering Services is a recognized leader in promoting electrical workplace safety and helping companies comply with the requirements of NFPA 70E, including the newly-released 2012 Edition which include:

  1. Develop and Audit Electrical Safe Work Practices Policy
  2. Conduct an Electrical System Study to Determine the Present Degree of Arc Flash Hazards and Apply Associated Equipment Labeling
  3. Ensure Adequate Supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Proper Tools
  4. Conduct Regularly-Scheduled Safety Training and Audits for All Electrical Workers
  5. Maintain All Electrical Distribution System Components
  6. Follow Strategies to Mitigate and Control Arc Flash Hazards

    - Overcurrent Protective Device (OCPD) Coordination Study
    - Upgrade Switchgear with a Virtual Main Relay
    - Infrared Viewing Windows
    - Remote Racking System
    - Wireless Temperature Monitoring System

Costly Consequences
The Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety reports that electrical injuries are the second most costly worker’s compensation claim. Added to the devastating human consequences, an arc flash event can render equipment unusable and place the facility in a costly downtime mode, which could last hours or days. It is estimated that the combination of a workplace injury and equipment downtime can cost as much as 8 - 10 million dollars.