What is Required to Properly Perform an Arc Flash Study? Section 130.5 also requires labeling on all equipment “likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized…” The label must contain the following data: arc flash risk identification, severity of the risk, arc flash boundary and required PPE, among other requirements. It requires that an arc flash analysis be performed to determine the incident energy at the required working distance, known as the arc flash boundary, as well as the proper level of PPE that shall be used within the arc flash boundary. Section 130.5 provides information on both shock and arc flash hazard risks, including standards for identifying and quantifying the risks of both. The electrical safety program shall be implemented as part of the employer’s overall occupational health and safety management system when one exists.” It requires that “the employer shall implement and document an overall electrical safety program that directs activity appropriate to the risk of electrical hazards. NFPA 70E is titled “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.” Section 110.1 outlines the requirements for employers regarding electrical safety. Pursuant to OSHA 1910.132, those hazards must be identified and labeled such that proper PPE can be determined. Understanding this helps you identify that there are hazards present, or potentially present, with any electrical installation. CFR Part 1910.132 also requires that the employer verify the required hazard assessment has been performed with written certification. This can mean the operation of enclosed circuit breakers, testing and/or troubleshooting efforts, and any exposure to live parts during maintenance. Employers are required by CFR Part 1910.132 to identify whether workplace hazards are present or are likely to be present and protect their workforce from those hazards.Įlectrical equipment and installations all have some level of risk associated with them – especially when these installations and equipment may be maintained or operated while energized. The information represented in NFPA 70E is what OSHA bases its electrical safety standards on (CFR 29 Part 1910 and Part 1926). In addition, some states, including Washington (WAC296-45-325), mandate the requirement for an arc flash hazard analysis to be performed.Īs you may know, OSHA provides health and safety requirements for employers. The requirement stems from standards such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), NFPA 70E, National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), and Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE). Without an arc flash study, the proper elimination, reduction, mitigation, and protection techniques cannot be known to create a safe work environment around electrical equipment and installations.Īrc flash studies are a product of several codes referencing the requirement to provide a safe work environment for the personnel maintaining equipment. Additionally, an arc flash study can inform a designer on how to eliminate or reduce hazard risk. Simply put, an arc flash study provides information regarding the incident energy available at the electrical components/devices that personnel would be exposed to while maintaining or otherwise interacting with that equipment and helps determine safe approach distances and PPE for conducting maintenance work.Īn arc flash study is required to understand the maximum amount of energy that could be release by equipment requiring maintenance. The resultant energy is measured in calories per square centimeter (Cal/cm2), or incident energy.Īn arc flash study, also called an arc flash hazard analysis or arc flash risk assessment, is a study that identifies arc flash hazards, estimates the likelihood of severe injury, and helps determine the additional protections (controls and personal protective equipment (PPE)) needed for a given electrical system/installation as defined in NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. The energy is released as heat and light collide (electrical explosion) and create a concussive pressure wave that can carry shrapnel. An arc flash is the rapid release of energy produced from an unintended arc fault (short circuit) between live parts or live parts to ground.
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