5 Reasons Why Arc Flash Studies Improve Workplace Safety
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Arc flash incidents can result in severe injuries, fatalities, and property damage. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical hazards cause about 3% of all workplace fatalities in the United States. An arc flash is an electrical hazard that can release a tremendous amount of energy in a fraction of a second, causing burns, blindness, hearing loss, and other serious injuries. In this blog post, we will explore what arc flash is, how it occurs, and what steps can be taken to mitigate its risks.
What is Arc Flash?
An arc flash is an electrical discharge that occurs when an electrical current flows through the air between two conductors or an exposed conductor and a grounded object. This discharge can produce an intense flash of light and heat, which can cause severe burns, fires, and explosions. The temperature of an arc flash can exceed 35,000°F, which is four times hotter than the sun’s surface.
Arc flash can occur for various reasons, including accidental contact with live wires or equipment, equipment failure, or inadequate maintenance. Arc flash incidents can cause significant damage to electrical equipment, leading to downtime, production losses, and costly repairs.
Arc Flash Study and Hazard Assessment
To mitigate the risks associated with arc flash incidents, it is essential to conduct an arc flash study and hazard assessment. An arc flash study involves analyzing the electrical system to determine the potential for arc flash incidents and the magnitude of the energy release. The study also identifies the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that workers should wear when working on or near electrical equipment.
The hazard assessment involves identifying potential hazards associated with the electrical system, including equipment and circuit configurations, voltage levels, and other factors that can increase the likelihood of an arc flash incident. The assessment helps identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce the risks of arc flash incidents.
Incident Energy Analysis
One of the key components of an arc flash study is incident energy analysis. The incident energy is the amount of energy released during an arc flash incident, measured in calories per square centimeter (cal/cm2). The incident energy analysis helps determine the level of PPE required to protect workers from the hazards of an arc flash incident.
The incident energy analysis involves analyzing the electrical system to determine the potential for arc flash incidents and calculating the incident energy at various locations. The analysis considers factors such as the available fault current, the clearing time of protective devices, and the distance between the worker and the arc flash. Based on the incident energy levels, appropriate PPE is selected, including flame-resistant clothing, face shields, gloves, and other protective equipment.
Electrical Safety Program
An adequate electrical safety program is critical to mitigating the risk of arc flash incidents. The program should include policies and procedures to ensure that workers are trained in the proper use of PPE and safe work practices. The program should also have regular maintenance and inspection of electrical equipment to identify potential hazards and address them before they become a problem.
The electrical safety program should be comprehensive, covering all aspects of electrical safety, including lockout/tagout procedures, hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident reporting. The program should also be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it is practical and current with the latest standards and regulations.
NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584
The NFPA 70E standard provides workplace electrical safety guidelines, including arc flash hazard analysis and PPE requirements. The standard outlines the requirements for conducting an arc flash study, hazard assessment, and incident energy analysis. It also provides guidelines for selecting appropriate PPE based on the incident energy levels.
The IEEE 1584 standard provides a method for calculating incident energy levels.
