Arc Flash Training: What Should the Learning Goals Be?

Arc flash safety training is essential for workers in any environment where electricity is present. It is an important part of a comprehensive safety training program, as it can help protect workers from the risks associated with working around electrical equipment. 

When an arc flash is suddenly formed between an energized conductor and a grounded conductor, or between two energized conductors, it can result in an electrical explosion known as an arc flash.

It can cause serious physical injury or even death and damage to electrical equipment and property.

Learning objectives for arc flash certification training courses should include the following topics:

Electrical Project Job Briefing 

When working, planning is crucial. The CSAZ462 and NFPA70E technical committees have also reached an agreement.

A job briefing must be completed before beginning any work, and since they made this obvious, it must be the primary focus of your training.

Your arc flash training should include how to do an effective job briefing. The activities that can bring you difficulties should receive most of your attention.

As you advance through it, you want this to become increasingly clear to those taking the course. An extremely deadly incident could be caused by a single mistake.

Analysis of the Arc Flash And Shock Risks When Exposed

Numerous accidents and fatalities are caused by employees’ mistaken perception that their workplace is safe.

They must learn the opposite from you.

Shock risk should come first. The 30-volt threshold for when the voltage needs to be handled cautiously should have been mentioned in the introduction to shock.

Awareness of the Shock Risk

You risk getting shocked if you work with or close to exposed live parts that can be touched (even accidentally).

Consider the question, “Could I touch this if I slipped?

You must approach this specific task with caution if the answer is yes.

It would help if you then talked about arc flash hazards.

First, you must discuss the potential duration of an arc flare. Therefore, the system must be rated at least at 240 VAC (if it’s less, there may still be an arc flash if the transformer powering the system is more powerful than 125 kVA or there are many transformers); nonetheless, for the time being, let’s focus on the 240 VAC.

The second step is to pose two questions to yourself.

The first one should be simple, as we recently reviewed it in the section on shock. Please allow me to touch this with a slip.

Finding the second one is a little more challenging.

Are you using this equipment in a way that could result in an arc flash? It would help if you questioned yourself.

A nice illustration of this would be installing a big circuit breaker on a moving bus. Quite difficult.

To help the students understand what kinds of activity would expose them to shock threats and what sorts would expose them to arc flash, you might want to add a few illustrations in your arc flash lesson.

But typically speaking, these questions should be enough.

Strategies for Risk Analysis

Safety, especially electrical safety, requires risk analysis.

You have already covered the fundamentals by showing the students how to identify when they are exposed to shock and arc flash hazards.

But what if the situation is a little odd?

You must elaborate on your illustrations and teach your students how to look, listen, and smell properly.

They want to know if the condition of their equipment is typical or abnormal. If left unchecked, this could result in some incidents.

When you labor under unusual circumstances, your danger is significantly higher. So how do you gather the facts?

You can do this by taking note of the following:

Ascertain that every cover is in place, every door is closed, every piece of equipment was installed appropriately, maintained, and used for what it was designed to accomplish, and that there are no issues like arcing or overheating, smells, or degradation.

As a result, you must instruct the staff to recognize when they are exposed to risks and when there might be additional factors nearby that could put them at risk.

Selection of Personal Protection Equipment 

The shock risk and the arc flash hazard need to be addressed individually in your section on choosing PPE, just like you did with everything else we’ve covered in this course.

Your rubber-insulated gloves will serve as shock protection for 99% of you.

Examine the following:

• How to select them following the voltage you’re dealing with 
• How to check them before usage
• How to comply with maintenance, testing, and storage requirements

Although selecting arc flash PPE is a little more challenging, there are two options and one crucial consideration.

The key is to enclose yourself completely.

Any flesh that is exposed will burn. Arc flashes are emotionless

People exposed to an arc flash frequently develop burns on their hands, necks, and faces.

The two approaches for choosing the appropriate PPE to safeguard yourself during training should also be covered.

Conclusion 

Arc flash training is an important safety course that should be taken by all workers who come in contact with electrical equipment or systems. The course’s learning objectives should include basic electrical safety, how to identify arc flash hazards, and how to protect oneself from arc flash hazards. This training will ensure that workers stay safe and properly identify and protect themselves from arc flash hazards.

Your workforce is protected thanks to Facility Results’ arc flash safety solutions, which include arc flash training, NFPA 70E training, services, and products. Request a quote today!