We’ve all been told from a young age the dangers of electricity. A single shock can stop your heart and arc flashes even more so. That’s why it’s so important to have the proper safety measures in place anytime you’re working on electrical equipment. Let’s go over five essential things you can do to look out for yourself and your co-workers.
1. Implement Arc Flash Labeling
One of the best ways to protect people is with clear signs showing the potential risks. Arc flash labeling based on IEEE 1584 calculations, like the FlashTables™ method, makes it easy to post accurate hazard labels on all your electrical panels.
This helps qualified workers know upfront what protective gear is needed before they even open each panel. With pre-printed labels, you can have your entire facility labeled in just a week.
2. Perform Regular Safety Inspections
Issues with equipment often don’t pop up right away. To catch problems early, schedule inspections according to NFPA 70B standards. Trained technicians will inspect all switchgear, breakers, and wiring for loose connections, damages, or other issues.
Any repairs found are made as soon as possible to reduce arc flash chances before a serious incident occurs. Keep detailed records, too, to monitor long-term equipment health.
3. Provide Electrical Arc Flash Training
No matter someone’s experience level, annual electrical safety training is a must. Courses like the NFPA 70E program get qualified staff up to speed on the latest codes, safe work practices, and proper use of protective gear – which is key when an electrical arc flash occurs.
They’ll learn how to avoid arc flash situations in the first place and what to do if one happens. An informed team is a much safer team out in the field.
4. Use Appropriate Protective Equipment
Once you know the arc flash incident energy for a job, having the correct protective equipment is paramount. That means heavy-duty flame-resistant shirts and pants, a face shield, and insulating gloves rated for the voltage and anticipated hazards.
It may feel cumbersome, but it could save your life. Enforce PPE policies – it only takes one mistake for a lifetime of regret.
5. Implement an Energy Control Program
The best arc flashes are the ones that never happen. Follow OSHA’s mandatory standards for thorough energy control procedures. These ensure that hazardous energy sources are properly isolated and regulated before any work is done.
Get everyone trained and make sure lockout/tagout is always done, step-by-step, beforehand to eliminate any possibility of re-energization during maintenance. Arc flash incidents happen in an instant, so it’s crucial to minimize risks.
In Summary
Prioritizing safety is so important when working with electricity. By following these five key measures we’ve discussed, you’re giving employees the protection they need. This way, they can do their jobs confidently without facing threats to their well-being like electrical arc flash incidents. Take all the necessary precautions, and it will help you sleep easier at night knowing everyone is as safe as can be on the job.