An Electrical worker wearing arc-flash protection. The tool in his hand is used to draw out a large circuit breaker.

For employees working with electrical equipment, electrical arc flash hazard and arc flash shock are the most dangerous risks in the workplace. Arc Flash Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment prevents these incidents which can cause severe injury or death.

However, OSHA cites the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 70E standard as a method of action to help prevent these costly hazards. An Electrical Hazard Analysis in the NFPA 70E 2018 edition from Arc Flash America can help ensure that your workplace meets the requirements and is as safe as possible for your employees.

Arc Flash Hazard Analysis looks at how much risk a qualified worker is exposed to in order to ensure their safety. We use this to limit the damage of arc flash events on personnel and equipment. It also defines the associated risk areas (limited approach and restricted by qualified workers) and determines the relevant level of  Arc Flash Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as shown in the photo above.

More often than not, you will need the following data collected to properly perform the Arc Flash Hazard Analysis:

The data includes the arrangement of components on a one-line drawing with nameplate specifications of every device. Also required are details of the lengths and cross section area of all cables. The utility should be contacted for information including the minimum and maximum fault currents that can be expected at the entrance to the facility.

Once the data has been collected, a short circuit analysis followed by a coordination study should be performed. The resultant data can then be fed into the equations described by either NFPA 70E-2018 or IEEE Standard 1584-2002. These equations will produce the necessary arc flash protection boundary distances and incident energy to determine the minimum arc flash PPE requirement.

This arc flash hazard analysis provides an overall report on your electrical system and the potential incident energy that might be released at each exposed energized point in the electrical distribution system. This will ensure that you can properly outfit your employees with the right personal protective equipment, PPE.

NFPA 70E 2018 requirements outline other fundamental requirements for a safe workplace, such as:

• • Training Requirements
  • Employer and Contractor responsibility
  • Electrical Safety Program
  • Energized Electrical Work Permit
  • Job briefing
  • Establishing an Electrically Safe Working condition – Lock Out / Tag Out

Once you have implemented the NFPA 70E 2018 requirements, you are required to train your employees on the regulation and the proper use of personal protective equipment, PPE.

To learn more about the NFPA 70E – 2018 regulation and how an arc flash hazard analysis from Arc Flash America can help your business meet these requirements and create the safest environment for your employees. Contact us today.