ALDACOR Engineering Inc.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING & CONSULTING SERVICES

--FLASH HAZARD REQUIREMENTS, CODE UPDATE--

NFPA and OSHA now require arc-flash hazard analysis and labeling.

Let ALDACOR Engineering Inc. provide your company with flash hazard analysis, labeling, lock-out/tag-out procedures, coordination studies to reduce flash hazards, and training for personnel on flash hazard mitigation.

Arc-Flash Hazards – Standards and Regulations

The following arc-flash hazard industry standards are intended to increase employees’ protection from dangers associated with the release of energy caused by an electrical arc. These standards and regulations are key elements of an effective arc-flash safety program. The requirements for performing arc flash mitigation are contained in the following codes.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations

Workplace safety requirements

OSHA does not specifically address arc-flash hazards but does recognize hazards (through the General Duty Clause) that are identified by other industry codes and standards such as the NEC and NFPA 70E.

· OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(6)(iii):

o “The employer shall ensure that each employee who is exposed to the hazards of flames or electric arcs does not wear clothing that, when exposed to flames or electric arcs, could increase the extent of injury that would be sustained by the employee.”

· OSHA 1910.132(d)(1):

o “The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:

§ 1910.132(d)(1)(i): Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;

§ 1910.132(d)(1)(ii): Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and,

§ 1910.132(d)(1)(iii): Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. Note: Non-mandatory Appendix B contains an example of procedures that would comply with the requirement for a hazard assessment.

From NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace 2009 Edition:

· 130.3(B) Protective Clothing and Other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Application with an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis.

· “Where it has been determined that work will be performed within the Arc Flash Protection Boundary identified by 130.3(A), one of the following methods shall be used for the selection of protective clothing and other personal protective equipment:

Incident Energy Analysis and Labeling
Hazard/Risk Categories Table Approach

NFPA 70 National Electrical Code 2008

Flash protection – product safety signs, personal protective equipment and clothing

· 110.16 Flash Protection: “Electrical equipment, such as switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor control centers that are in other than dwelling occupancies and are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall be field marked to warn qualified persons of potential electric arc flash hazards. The marking shall be located so as to be clearly visible to qualified persons before examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance of the equipment.”

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