OSHA Requires all companies to comply with Arc Flash Regulations!

Here's the Arc Flash issue in a nutshell...Several Engineering firms have stepped up to
The United States Department of Labor's OSHAprovide the needed "Arc Flash Analysis". However,
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)as always, many are in it for the "Big Bucks", be
requires that all companies or "Non-Dwelling"careful to choose an engineering firm that will
facilities have an Arc Flash Analysis done on theprovide just the needed basics and not try to
entire electrical system to determine severaltrick you into getting un-needed services or
important bits of information. That information hasproducts. OSHA requires that you only have
to be placed in clear view on each electrical panelcompleted and Arc Flash Analysis to determine
using the ANSI z535 approved "Arc Flash Warningthe Level of arc flash hazard, the arc flash
Label".boundary distance, and the amount of personal
Since 2002 this regulation has been in place butprotection equipment a worker should use, along
OSHA has allowed companies to slide until now,with placing that information on an ANSI approved
giving companies enough time to get inlabel on each required panel.
compliance. Now, after these few years ofStay away from firms trying to sell you services
waiting, OSHA has begun checking to see if insuch as providing a "One Line Diagram", Evaluating
fact it has been done! A trip to the OSHAyour existing electrical system for downsizing
website will yield several serious fines that havebreakers and fuses, ( the national electrical code,
been levied against violators! Up to a half a millionNFPA, allows upsizing for future expansion) along
dollars is allow as a maximum fine for awith many other un-needed and not required high
corporation, should that corporation be found "Notcost services.
in Compliance".