| Imagine being hit by a bolt of lightning. Like | | | | risks by adhering to a six point compliance plan |
| lightning, an arc flash can unexpectedly release | | | | such as the following: |
| tremendous amounts of energy, resulting in | | | | 1. Implement a worker safety program with |
| serious injuries and even death. | | | | defined responsibilities. |
| An arc flash is the result of a short circuit or | | | | 2. Perform engineering studies that include |
| electrical fault in energized equipment. Current | | | | calculations to determine the degree of arc flash |
| flows through the air and creates an electrical arc, | | | | hazards. These studies also must be updated |
| very much like the phenomenon of lightning. But | | | | when any changes to the electrical system are |
| unlike lightning, these electrical dangers are present | | | | made by the employer or the electric utility. |
| in a myriad of circumstances that do not require | | | | 3. Provide workers with the correct personal |
| storm conditions to manifest. | | | | protective equipment (PPE) based on the study |
| Over 80% of electrically related injuries involve | | | | results. These PPE must then be maintained on |
| some type of arc flash. They can be caused by a | | | | site to protect workers. |
| wide variety of factors, including: equipment | | | | 4. Provide worker training on the hazards of arc |
| malfunctions, inadequate safety procedures, | | | | flash. This training must be documented and |
| carelessness, lack of training, dropped tools, etc. | | | | workers must demonstrate proficiency through |
| The amount of energy released by the electrical | | | | testing. Worker training must also be updated |
| arc depends on the amount of electrical current | | | | whenever any changes occur to the electrical |
| flowing through the arc and how long the current | | | | system. |
| will flow before it is interrupted by a circuit | | | | 5. Provide appropriate tools for safe working. |
| breaker or fuse. | | | | 6. Place conspicuous warning labels on equipment |
| The radiation released in a flash can be so intense | | | | to warn workers about potential arc flash hazards. |
| and so rapid that it can instantly burn skin and | | | | OSHA, like other government agencies, expects |
| ignite clothing. Temperatures at the electrical arc | | | | employers to keep up with regulations and take |
| can rapidly climb to tens of thousands of degrees. | | | | the necessary steps to remain compliant. For |
| At temps this extreme metal becomes liquid, then | | | | example, OSHA won't send notices out to |
| vaporizes, and the air surrounding the arc | | | | employers to inform them that they must |
| becomes superheated to approximately | | | | implement an arc flash program in their plant. It's |
| 30,000°F. The superheated air and metal | | | | up to the employers to know that and institute |
| vapor together expand with explosive force. This | | | | the necessary precautions on their own. |
| creates a dangerous and potentially lethal pressure | | | | It must also be noted that OSHA doesn't walk |
| wave of hot gas, molten metal droplets, and solid | | | | employers through the steps of setting up an |
| metal shards that can create burns and shrapnel | | | | effective worker safety program. This means |
| wounds. | | | | that workers can be exposed to arc flash |
| The Occupational Safety and Health Administration | | | | hazards simply because their employer is ignorant |
| (OSHA) requires employers to assess the | | | | of regulatory requirements and is operating based |
| workplace for arc flash hazards that are present | | | | on misconceptions. |
| or that are likely to be present. Assessment is | | | | Some workers are unfortunate enough to work |
| done using standards developed by the National | | | | for employers that don't take potential dangers |
| Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the | | | | like arc flash seriously enough to implement an |
| Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers | | | | effective safety program. When their wakeup call |
| (IEEE) to specifically address arc flash hazards. | | | | comes, it's often too late. |
| If hazards are identified, employers must mitigate | | | | |