Arc flash is not something to take lightly. The dangers of arc flash can cause severe damage to a person and the surrounding area. Sadly, it is still something that is overlooked by some facilities and workers.
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 145 total deaths due to electricity exposure, and 749 electricity-related deaths since 2018.
The number of deaths can be reduced by following proper arc flash safety guidelines and implementing protective measures.
Arc flash is a powerful electrical event that occurs when an electric current strays from its intended path and travels through the air between conductors. This sudden release of energy creates an intense flash of light and heat. It is often followed with a loud noise and dangerous debris.
An arc flash incident can be triggered by numerous factors, including:
When any of these conditions happen, the protective barriers meant to hold back the electricity can fail, leading to an arc flash event.
An arc flash hazard poses serious risks to both people and property. The intense heat created during an arc flash can cause severe burns, while the explosive force can result in severe injuries and even death. The high temperatures and pressure created by an arc flash incident can damage equipment. This leads to costly repairs and downtime. Understanding and implementing arc flash safety measures is crucial for protecting workers and maintaining a safe working environment.
In this guide, we will explore more about arc flashes, and what facilities can do to reduce the risks, while ensuring the safety of all those working with or near electrical equipment.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) plays a crucial role in establishing standards and regulations aimed at verifying safety in various industries, including electrical work. Specifically, NFPA 70E provides guidelines for protecting workers from electrical hazards like an arc flash incident.
This standard outlines:
Everything that the NFPA 70E standard goes over is to reduce the risks that come with arc flash events.
Compliance with NFPA 70E is essential for employers and employees working with or near electrical equipment. Organizations can create a safer work environment, reduce the likelihood of an arc flash, and minimize the severity of injuries in the event of an accident by following these standards.
NFPA 70E is often referenced by regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in developing safety regulations. Familiarity with NFPA standards is necessary for following regulations and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.
There are countless strategies facilities can use to be aligned with NFPA 70E for arc flash safety.
Conduct arc flash risk assessments: Conduct a detailed arc flash risk assessment in all areas where electrical work is performed. Identify potential hazards, assess the likelihood of arc flash incidents, and determine the severity of consequences. This assessment forms the foundation for developing appropriate safety measures.
Establish safe work practices: Train employees on safe work practices outlined in NFPA 70E. This includes proper electrical equipment operation, lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Emphasize the importance of following established safety protocols to mitigate arc flash risks.
Implement engineering controls: Utilize engineering controls, such as equipment labeling, insulation upgrades, and equipment maintenance to reduce the likelihood of an arc flash accident. Ensure that all electrical equipment is properly installed, maintained, and inspected to minimize the risk of failures that could lead to an arc flash incident.
Provide personal protective equipment: Equip workers with appropriate arc flash PPE, including:
This equipment is to protect against an arc flash hazard. Make sure that arc flash PPE is properly fitted, regularly inspected, and replaced as needed to maintain effectiveness.
Develop emergency response plans: Create thorough emergency response plans that outline procedures for how to respond to arc flashes, including:
Conduct regular drills and training exercises to confirm all employees are prepared to respond effectively in an arc flash emergency.
Give regular training and education: Provide ongoing training and education on NFPA 70E arc flash standards, arc flash risks, and safety procedures to all employees involved in electrical work. Encourage active participation in safety programs and promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Organizations can significantly enhance arc flash safety in the workplace, protect employees from harm, and promote a culture of electrical safety awareness and compliance by carrying out these strategies and complying with NFPA 70E arc flash standards.
Arc flash labels are crucial for safety in places with electrical hazards. It�s important to be informed about labeling requirements, safety signs, why clear labels matter, and labeling standards.
The NFPA sets rules for arc flash labels with the NFPA 70E standard. These rules make sure that labels are consistent and easy to read no matter where you are. It provides guidelines for things like what information should be on the label, the colors to use, and where to place them. Following these standards helps create a safe visual communication factory.
The arc flash risk assessment will determine the information needed on arc flash labels, such as the arc flash boundary and the kind of arc flash PPE required to work within that boundary.
Each arc flash label is required to display this information:
It's important to avoid labeling a piece of equipment with both a calculated incident energy and an arc flash PPE category, because these two pieces of information come from different methods of evaluating arc flash danger. If both forms of information are present on the label, it could cause confusion or conflicting safety recommendations.
Arc flash labels usually include more than just the information listed above. Some information may have shock protection info, like a restricted and limited approach boundary, or show the date of when the last risk assessment was conducted.
In addition to the information provided on the label, effective arc flash labels often adhere to a standardized format outlined in the ANSI Z535 standard. This approach uses eye-catching colored headers and signal words to get noticed and quickly convey messages.
Electrical gear, like panels and switches, must have warning labels for arc flash risks. These labels show things like how dangerous the flash can be and what protective gear to wear. For example, if there's an elevated risk of a powerful arc flash, the label should include what protective clothing workers need to wear to be in that area. Following these rules helps workers know the risks and stay protected while working with electricity.
In 2020, the Electrical Safety Foundation shared that there were 2,220 non-fatal electrical injuries. This was a 17% increase from 2019. Properly labeling equipment and areas where an arc flash incident may occur can make a huge difference in reducing the amount of electrical hazard injuries and fatalities.
Compliance with OSHA regulations is essential for maintaining a safe work environment and protecting employees from an arc flash accident. OSHA provides specific guidelines and regulations for electrical safety, including measures to prevent arc flash.
General duty clause: OSHA's General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational and Health Act, requires employers to provide a workplace free from dangers�such as arc flash hazards�that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This enforces employers to identify and mitigate potential risks associated with electrical work.
Signage and labeling electrical safety standards: OSHA's electrical safety standards for signage and labeling, outlined in 29 CFR 1910.303, states that electrical equipment must be marked with warning signs, labels, or other means to warn employees of potential electrical hazards. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.335, workers must also be warned if they are working near electrical hazards.
NFPA 70E incorporation: OSHA often uses NFPA 70E as a widely accepted standard for electrical safety compliance in the industry. While NFPA 70E itself is not an OSHA regulation, OSHA uses it to determine if employers are following electrical safety guidelines.
Training requirements: OSHA mandates that employers provide training to employees who may be exposed to electrical hazards.
Training should cover topics such as: