Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Arc Flash & Electrical Safety Learning Center / Risk Assessment / Why an Arc Flash Study is Necessary for Your Facility
An Arc Flash Assessment / Analysis is a study of the facility's power system to determine the
incident energy available at speci c electrical devices that employees would be exposed to while
“interacting with” the electrical equipment at the facility. The output of the Assessment/ Analysis
is a determination and labeling of the PPE required of the electrical devices, suitability of the
devices for service as installed and if there are any miss- coordination issues involved as the
system is currently installed.
A short circuit current available analysis and the clearing times of the overcurrent devices
involved is required to determine the incident energy at the various points in the system.
OSHA 1910.132 requires that employers identify and protect their workers from workplace
hazards. Every industrial / commercial power system includes inherent risks – speci cally
electrical shock and arc ash, anytime employees are “interacting with” electrical equipment
while energized. Interacting with electrical equipment includes operation of fully enclosed
switches and power circuit breakers as well as any exposure to energized equipment or circuit
parts, including all energized testing or troubleshooting activities.
NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, Section 110.1 - requires “The
employer shall implement and document an overall electrical safety program that directs activity
appropriate to the risk of electrical hazards. The electrical safety program shall be implemented
as part of the employer’s overall occupational health and safety management system, when one
exists.” Section speci cally includes identifying and quantifying the risks of both shock and arc
ash hazards, before work begins.
NFPA 70E, Section 130.5 Arc Flash Analysis – requires an arc ash risk assessment shall be
performed to determine the risk, safety related work practices required, the arc ash boundary,
the incident energy at the working distance, and the PPE that people within the arc ash
boundary shall use. This assessment shall be reviewed at intervals not to exceed 5 years.
NFPA 70E Section 130.5 (H) Labeling - requires all equipment “likely to require examination,
adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall be eld marked” … with a label
containing arc ash risk identi cation, severity of the risk, arc ash boundary and required PPE
level among other things. This includes any energized testing or troubleshooting activity..
NFPA 70E, Section 110.3 (A) Host Employer Responsibilities - requires that host employers of
contractor or outside service personnel are responsible for notifying the contractor of the
hazards they may encounter in the performance of their work. This holds the host employer /
facility owner responsible for identifying the hazards a contractor may encounter on the site.
Therefore, using contract maintenance and electrical workers does not reduce the need for arc
ash analysis.
https://www.e-hazard.com/learn/risk-assessment/why-an-arc-flash-study-is-necessary.php 1/4
6/24/2020 Why an Arc Flash Study is Necessary
It is impossible to know what level of arc ash hazard risk is inherent in your power system
without assessment by knowledgeable technical resources. However, it is a true statement that
every industrial / commercial electrical system has some level of inherent arc ash hazard. In
order to protect the safety of your employees or contract employees working on or operating
your electrical equipment an arc ash assessment must be completed and the equipment
appropriately labeled.
https://www.e-hazard.com/learn/risk-assessment/why-an-arc-flash-study-is-necessary.php 2/4
6/24/2020 Why an Arc Flash Study is Necessary
program on track.
Important Facts:
Annually in the US about 2000 people go to burns centers as the result of arc ash injuries. 80%
of these are due to clothing res. The other 20% are mostly burns to bare skin which should have
been covered with arc rated clothing. If every electrical worker would wear the proper arc rated
PPE, this would become a very small number.
Industrial electrocutions (deaths) occur every other day (about 170 in 2013) in the US. If
electrical workers would use appropriate insulated tools and rubber insulating gloves every time
they are within the restricted approach boundary, this would also become a very small number.
At e-Hazard our goal is to educate electrical workers to understand the shock and arc ash
hazards associated with the electrical equipment they work on daily and the appropriate
methods used to perform that work safely. Each of us has many years of industrial electrical
power system experience in engineering, maintenance, safety and arc ash analysis as well as
mitigation / reduction of arc ash energy levels and exposure to personnel.
Contact Us Today
3018 Eastpoint Parkway, Louisville, KY 40223 NFPA 70E Training Arc Flash Studies
Of ce: +1 (502) 716-7073
Arc Flash Training Arc Flash Audits
Fax: +1 (502) 371-6300
Train the Trainer Electrical Compliance Inspections
Contact Us
1910.269 Utilities Written ESP Development
Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM, EST - Weekdays
Training Schedule Written ESP Review
https://www.e-hazard.com/learn/risk-assessment/why-an-arc-flash-study-is-necessary.php 3/4
6/24/2020 Why an Arc Flash Study is Necessary
About e-Hazard
e-Hazard is dedicated to building an
electrical safety culture with you.
Through our training and services, we
equip you and your coworkers to work
safely.
© 2004 - 2020 e-Hazard Management, LLC. All rights reserved. Home | Blog | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
https://www.e-hazard.com/learn/risk-assessment/why-an-arc-flash-study-is-necessary.php 4/4