subject: Arc Flash Electrical Safety Training Helps Avoid Arc Flash Hazards [print this page] Arc Flash Electrical Safety Training Helps Avoid Arc Flash Hazards
Labeling or just stating PPE and FRC will not lower the arc flash as well as arc flash accidents. Arc flash hazards and accidents are eliminated and lives are secured and secure working atmosphere is maintained with the help of NFPA 70e & OSHA compliance arc flash training, arc flash analysis and study, if performed in accordance to the NFPA 70e standards.
As we all know that how challenging it is to develop and even to carry out an arc flash hazard program in order to build and maintain work place safety and safeguard workers life from arc flash hazards.
In order to perform successful arc flash program, here are some of the basic steps for effective arc flash hazard safety training program;
Determine Arc Flash Hazards
Be careful of arc flash dangers; find the zone where there is risk all this can be done with the support of industry events as well as resources such as NFPA, IEEE, and ESAs Arc flash hazard resource center. At the time of arc flash accident radiant heat energy and arc blast waves which will cause severe burns and injuries.
Conduct Arc flash analysis
Perform arc flash analysis to identify the level of arc flash hazard. This is an electrical system engineering analysis that is carried out by engineers recognise with the power distribution as well as control equipment and even the calculation methods required. The arc flash analysis will determine, among other things, the accident energy potential of each piece of electrical supply equipment in the company. This incident energy potential will recognize the Hazard/Risk Category of PPE that the employees are required to wear while doing any work when energized parts are exposed.
Conduct Arc Flash Safety Training
Carry out arc flash safety training for all workers. According to NFPA 70E a skilled person is one who has capability and abilities and knowledge related to engineering as well as operation of the electrical equipment and moreover even systems, and has acquired arc flash fire safety training on the hazards involved. The objective of this arc flash fire safety training requirement is that the workers should have acquired safety training particular to the hazards of arc flash, arc blast, shock as well as electrocution. Electrical workers are not considered to be capable by OSHA unless and until they have gained this precise training.
PPE and FRC arc flash Clothing
Make sure that you have plenty of FRC arc flash clothing as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) on hand for your employees who are doing work in areas posing possible electrical hazards shall be provided with fire safety clothing and arc flash FRC clothing that is best suited for them to protect them from severe burns of arc flash accidents as well .
Warning Labels
Mark all the equipments and tools with caution tags. Nowadays, NFPA states that switchboards, panel boards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures as well as motor control centers in other than dwelling occupancies that need assessment, change, servicing or even maintenance whereas energized shall be marked to notify persons of potential electric arc flash hazards. The marking shall be placed so as to be clearly visible to persons before assessment, alteration, servicing or maintenance of the system and tools.
Appoint an electrical safety program manager
Find out an individual from your organization who has knowledge as well as expertise within the electrical industry. This should be a well-organized, realiable person who will take the position seriously. Having a single person who has experience of electrical code requirements and moreover other safety issues will pay off.
Maintain each and every electrical distribution system components
Electrical distribution systems have energized parts such as fuses, circuit breakers and protective relays that help protect the system at the time of an electric problem. These appliances, called over-current protective devices, performs a crucial role in protecting the system, but are even more essential when it comes to securing personnel from the arc flash hazards and arc blast. This results in significantly minimizing the amount of incident energy that is released. Several existing electrical distribution systems have old parts that have not been well maintained over long periods of time.
Maintain and even update electrical distribution documentation
Documentation of electrical distribution system is one more crucial area that usually has not been well managed in many companies. Documents such as the electrical one-line diagram (important to safety when performing the lock out/tag out process), short circuit and coordination studies, and moreover other crucial documents quite often are not well maintained. When this system components change due to revisions or even facility expansions, this documentation is quite often not updated to indicate these improvements. Because of lack of attention to documentation management makes the cost as well as work scope of providing perfect arc flash hazard analysis much greater. As these documents are vital part of electrically safe work practices, lack of attention creates additive legal liability if an accident takes place.
