How to Reduce the Dangers Posed by Arc Flashes

An arc flash is an electrical explosion that can occur when energized electrical equipment is touched, damaged, or interrupted. This can damage equipment and injure or kill people nearby. However, if proper safety procedures are in place, the risk can be significantly reduced.

What Is an Arc Flash and Why Is It Dangerous?

An arc flash is an electrical discharge that goes through the air, rather than a conductor, to the ground or another voltage phase in the same system. This can happen because of loose connections, exposed live parts, or other short circuits in equipment that are not working correctly. 

People can cause arc flashes by not being careful when working on live electrical systems. Arc flashes are dangerous because they produce intense heat and light. This can cause burns, eye injuries, and lung damage.

How to Avoid Arc Flashes

Mitigating risks includes carrying out an arc flash hazard analysis. This will help you to identify areas where an arc flash could occur and what the consequences could be. 

Once you have identified these hazards, you can implement measures to reduce the risks. This might include installing arc-resistant switchgear, providing appropriate PPE, or introducing safe working practices.

Here are five ways to do this:

1. Guarantee Safe Working Systems

A full arc flash risk assessment should be carried out on all electrical systems to prevent injuries from electrical hazards. The assessment should be conducted once every five years or more if changes are made to the system. A professional risk assessment will identify potential hazards in an electrical system and provide ways to mitigate the risks.

2. Power Down Electrical Equipment When Not in Use

The most important thing to prevent an arc flash is to ensure the area is de-energized before starting work. However, sometimes it is not possible to de-energize the area, and in these cases, other safety measures, such as wearing personal protective equipment, must be taken.

3. Enforce Proper Training

Before working on or near electrical systems, you must receive the proper training to understand the dangers and how to work safely. This is especially important if you must work with live electrical systems. You need to be able to assess the risks involved before starting work, identify any dangerous areas of the system, and know the correct procedures to follow to stay safe.

4. Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Workers should wear insulated rubber gloves when working with electrical systems to protect against electrical arcs and heat and flame resistance. Head and face gear is also important to protect against high heat and light intensities and impact damage from an arc flash explosion.

5. Keep a Safe Distance

Arc flashes can be extremely dangerous, causing injuries at distances of up to six meters. Operators should maintain a safe distance from any severe hazard, using remote tools or robots where possible to stay safe. If they need to go within the calculated arc flash boundary, they should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Conclusion

It is important to take precautions to reduce the dangers of arc flashes. Some steps that can be taken include wearing the proper clothing and gear, ensuring that the area is well-ventilated, and avoiding contact with live electrical equipment. By taking these precautions, workers can help to keep themselves safe from arc flash injuries.

Facility Results provides arc flash safety solutions, including comprehensive arc flash training and NFPA 70E training, as well as a range of products and services that keep your team safe. Our Electrical Safety Training Overview can help you and your team be productive, proactive about your arc flash training, and, most importantly, stay alive. Get in touch with us to sign up for arc flash safety training now!