With St. Patrick’s Day this Sunday, there will be a lot of parties and celebrations, while many of us will also be hoping for a little luck of the Irish in our lives. However, one area in your life you don’t want to leave up to luck is the risk of an arc flash explosion.
If you have ever been shocked when touching a doorknob, or a car-door handle you know it’s not a pleasant feeling! Well imagine that shock exceeding 10,000° F, which is hotter than the surface of the sun. That’s what would happen if you were in an arc flash explosion. As an electrician, you might be working with machinery where the threat of an arc flash is a big risk. Knowing that you are being protected in the event of an emergency is an important part in your daily work. So how can an arc flash assessment help keep the building in compliance as well as you and your workers safe?
An Arc Flash Assessment is the study of the electrical distribution system that is designed to determine the energy levels and the boundary distances. It identifies the degree of hazard, which allows worker to choose the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working on the energized panel, including testing and troubleshooting. Not to mention, it will assist in complying with the NFPA guidelines that are being enforced by OSHA inspectors.
Arc Flash Assessment – Step by Step to Compliance:
- Collection of Data (One line Drawings)
Save time and money with improved response time through updated drawings and inventory.
- Calculations of Incident Energy
Identifying hazards, such as incident energy will tell you the level of risk in your electrical panels.
- Coordination Study & Mitigation
Reduce the risk by lowering the incident energy and hazard risk category. This will help lower your personal protection equipment (PPE) requirements.
- Arc Flash Labels
Ensure compliance with OSHA and NFPA 70E. Arc Flash Risk Assessments that include incident energy calculations and arc flash labels are required for compliance.
- Arc Flash Training
Learn to work safely within your electrical environment, by gaining awareness and saving lives.
OSHA regulations apply to every worker that may approach or be exposed to energized electrical equipment. If an Employer fails to conform to OSHA requirements, it can lead to employee injuries, inconvenient penalties, expensive fines and law suits. So don’t leave your safety up to luck when there is a risk of an Arc Flash explosion. Be proactive and make sure you and other co-workers are protected in the event of an arc flash explosion!
