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Arc Flash Safety by BLR
- 1. Arc Flash Safety Qualified Persons Working On Or Near Energized Equipment
- 2. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Objectives You will be able to: • Identify the causes and risks of arc flash • Implement safe work procedures • Identify and wear appropriate PPE • Respond to an arc flash
- 3. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Image Credit: OSHAImage Credit: OSHA What Is an Arc Flash? • Electrical short circuit— or arc—through the air • Concentrated energy explodes outward • High-intensity flash • Instantaneous arc blast pressure wave • Superheated ball of gas—melts metal, burns clothes and skin
- 4. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Arc Flash Effects • Severe burns • Fireball destroys skin and tissue • Heat blast can extend several feet from source • Burns from hot surfaces, projectiles, and fireball Image Credit: OSHA • Hearing loss • Extensive damage to equipment • Punctures and lacerations
- 5. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Causes of Arc Flash • Dropped tools • Accidental contact with electrical systems • Improper work procedures • Insulation failure • Voltage testing with inappropriate instrument • Inattentiveness
- 6. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Causes of Arc Flash (cont.) • Buildup of dust, impurities, and corrosion on insulating surfaces • Sparks produced during racking of breakers, replacement of fuses, and closing into faulted lines • Birds or rodents that break leads at connections
- 7. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Arc Flash Exposure Risk Workers are at higher risk when: • Exposed to energized parts often • Required to perform multiple tasks • Poorly trained • Concentration is broken
- 8. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Arc Flash Exposure Risk (cont.) Risk is lower when: • Clear work practices are established • Training is thorough and up to date • Proper PPE is worn • Equipment is routinely maintained • Workers are alert
- 9. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Exercise—Hazards and Risks List 4 arc flash effects Severe Burns Hearing Loss Excessive Damage to Equipment Puncture Wounds and Lacerations
- 10. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Exercise (cont.) List at least 3 causes of arc flash Dropped Tools Accidental contact with electrical systems Improper work procedures Insulation failure Voltage testing with inappropriate tool Buildup of dust, impurities and corrosion Sparks produced during maintenance Birds or rodents that break connection leads Worker Inattentiveness
- 11. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Arc Flash Hazards— Any Questions? Do you understand: • What an arc flash is? • Effects of a flash? • What can cause a flash? • Your exposure risk?
- 12. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Arc Flash Prevention • Allow only qualified persons • De-energize equipment whenever possible • Create safe work conditions • Use proper equipment
- 13. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Safe Work on Energized Parts Never work on live equipment, except when: • De-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards • It is not feasible to de-energize • The proper training and safety equipment is provided
- 14. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Safe Work Practices 1. Review the operation 2. Determine the hazards 3. Determine and implement protective measures 4. Wear appropriate PPE 5. Know how to respond to an arc flash incident
- 15. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Safe Work Practices— Review the Operation • Read all warning signs • Read the hot work permit • Match the tools to the operation • Take whatever readings are necessary to quantify the system’s operation.
- 16. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Safe Work Practices— Determine the Hazards • Identify and inspect energized parts • Respect the flash protection boundary • Identify sharp objects and other obstructions • Identify all environmental hazards
- 17. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Safe Work Practices— The Flash Protection Boundary • Limited approach boundary • Restricted approach boundary • Prohibited approach boundary
- 18. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Safe Work Practices— Deenergizing and Lockout • Identify all possible sources of energy supply • Open disconnecting device(s) • Verify device is open • Apply lockout/tagout devices • Test voltage—double check instrument rating • Apply grounding devices
- 19. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Safe Work Practices— Wear Appropriate PPE • Helmet or headgear • Arc-rated face shield • Safety glasses • Rated gloves • Rated shoes/boots • Rated flame-resistant clothing • No metal button, clasps, or zippers! Credit: Web Soft Safety Solutions
- 20. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Explosion Response Procedure • Turn off the power • Extinguish flames • Call for help • Begin CPR and first aid, if trained
- 21. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Take Other Precautions • Only qualified persons • Wear only nonconductive apparel—no jewelry • Work area must be illuminated • No conductive liquids near electrical work or equipment • Do not defeat electrical interlocks • Double-check for the right tools
- 22. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Safe Work Practices— Any Questions? Do you understand about: • Operations review? • Hazard determination? • Work practices? • PPE? • Emergency response?
- 23. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Warning Labels • Placed on all equipment with potential arc flash hazard Photo Credit: MIDWEST
- 24. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Report—and Don’t Use— Damaged Equipment Stop using and report: • Broken or missing covers • Damaged tools • Damaged equipment • Improper equipment placement Photo Credit: OSHA
- 25. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 Review the operation Determine the hazards Determine and implement protective measures Wear appropriate PPE Know how to respond to an arc flash incident 1 2 3 4 5 What are the 5 steps to safe work practices?
- 26. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0709 • Inspect equipment and work areas for arc flash hazards and risks • Human error a common cause of arc flash • De-energize whenever possible • Follow safe work practices • Wear all required PPE • Report—and don’t use—damaged equipment and tools
Editor's Notes
- Slide Show Notes Welcome to this training session about arc flash. In this session we’ll talk about the hazards and risks of working on or near energized electrical equipment. We’ll also discuss the procedures for preventing an arc flash accident, and how to protect yourself from the hazards of an arc flash.
- Slide Show Notes By the end of the training session, you will be able to: Identify the causes and risks of arc flash; Implement procedures to prevent arc flash; Identify and wear the proper personal protective equipment, or “PPE”; and Respond appropriately to an arc flash incident.
- <number> Slide Show Notes An arc flash is a high-amperage short circuit that sends an electric current through the air. It occurs when an electric current flows between separate energized conducting surfaces, such as when circuit breakers and disconnects are opened and closed, when energized equipment is touched with a tool, or when equipment fails. Most electrical arc flash injuries do not occur in the presence of high-voltage (above 600 volts) electrical currents. Low voltage equipment sources (under 600 volts) account for most electrical arc flash occurrences. However, high-voltage incidents can be the most catastrophic. In an arc flash incident, an enormous amount of concentrated radiant energy emanates outward from the source of the arc, along with extremely hot gases (arc plasma). A high-intensity flash is produced that can be bright enough to damage your eyesight. An instantaneous and powerful pressure wave that radiates from the source of the arc flash is also produced. The wave can cover several feet in half a second. The blast can send loose material like pieces of damaged equipment, tools, molten metal, and other objects flying through the air. The thermal blast generates a superheated ball of gas that can severely burn the human body and even melt metal.
- <number> Slide Show Notes Electrical burns, often severe, are a common injury from arc flash incidents. The flash itself can reach 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and the resultant fireball will severely burn skin and underlying tissue. The heat blast can cause severe burns several feet from the source. Severe burns can also occur from contacting surfaces or being hit by super-heated projectiles or when clothing or equipment catches fire from the thermal blast. The arc blast pressure wave can damage your hearing. Equipment that is part of or exposed to the arc blast is often severely damaged. Also, flying debris can puncture or lacerate the skin.
- Slide Show Notes You can be severely injured from an arc flash without touching the energized equipment! Workers have been injured while they were several feet away from the arc flash. The causes of an arc flash include: Tools dropped on conductors, circuit breakers, or other energized parts, which can cause a short-circuit; Accidental contact with electrical systems, such as a worker accidentally touching an energized conductor thought to be de-energized; Improper work procedures, such as working on energized equipment when it should have been de-energized or locked out; Insulation failure where the fault current’s magnetic effect causes conductors to separate, producing an arc; Testing electrical equipment with inappropriate instruments; and Inattentiveness to the risks posed by energized equipment.
- Slide Show Notes Here are some additional causes of arc flash: Buildup of dust, impurities, and corrosion on insulating surfaces, which can provide a path for current; Sparks produced during racking of breakers, replacement of fuses, and closing into faulted lines; and Birds or rodents that snap leads at connections.
- Slide Show Notes The risk of an arc flash and your exposure to it depends on many factors. There is a higher risk of an arc flash incident when workers are: Exposed to energized parts repeatedly or for extended periods; Required to perform several tasks in the same work area during the same operation; Poorly trained in the specific tasks they must perform; or Diverted from paying attention to the task at hand.
- Slide Show Notes The risk of an arc flash is lower when: Clear work practices are established, such as written procedures and/or hot work permits; Training is thorough and up to date; The right PPE is worn at all times that it is required; Electrical equipment is routinely maintained and inspected; and Workers are alert to the risks of their tasks.
- Slide Show Notes In this exercise, see if you can remember four arc flash effects. Four effects of arc flash are: Severe burns, Hearing loss, Excessive damage to equipment; and Puncture wounds and lacerations.
- Slide Show Notes Now, see if you can remember at least three causes of arc flash.The causes of arc flash are: Dropped tools; Accidental contact with electrical systems; Improper work procedures; Insulation failure; Voltage testing with inappropriate instrument; Buildup of dust, impurities, and corrosion on insulating surfaces; Sparks produced during racking of breakers, replacement of fuses, and closing into faulted lines; Birds or rodents that break leads at connections; and finally Worker inattentiveness.
- Slide Show Notes Now it is time to ask yourself if you understand the information presented so far. Do you understand: What an arc flash is? Effects of a flash? What can cause a flash? And, your exposure risk? It is important for your safety that you understand this information.
- Slide Show Notes The best way to prevent arc flash incidents from occurring is to: Allow only qualified persons to work on electrical equipment. A qualified person is one who has received documented training in the hazards of working on energized equipment in general and has been trained in the hazards of the particular equipment to be serviced, and the use and proper application of PPE. Again, only a qualified person is permitted to work on live electrical equipment. De-energize all equipment, if possible, before beginning work. Create an electrically safe work condition. This is done with engineering controls (such as equipment upgrades) and by following safe work procedures. And finally, use only equipment that has been designed and certified for the task
- Slide Show Notes Never work on live equipment greater than 50 volts except when: De-energizing or shutdown introduces additional or increased hazards such as cutting ventilation to a workplace with a hazardous atmosphere; It is not feasible to de-energize because of equipment design or operational limitations, such as when voltage testing is required for diagnostic purposes; or when The proper training of personnel and personnel protective equipment is provided.
- Slide Show Notes Follow these basic safe work practice steps before starting work in a work area with live or energized equipment. Before performing work on live electrical systems or systems where arc flash is a risk, it is recommended that a meeting take place to go over all of these items. Each of these steps will be discussed in following slides: Review the work operation; Determine the hazards; Determine and implement protective measures; Wear appropriate PPE; and Know how to respond to an arc flash incident.
- Slide Show Notes Before starting any work in areas with energized parts, make sure you understand and follow safe work practice procedures. Every electrical operation is a little different. Even if you work in a familiar area, someone else working in the same area may have changed something that affects your safety. So: Read all the warning signs in the work area about electrical hazards and instructions for protecting yourself from them. Read all of the requirements of any hot work permit issued for your work on or around live electrical parts and equipment. It may seem tedious, but it could save your life or many years of pain and suffering. Do an inventory of all tools that will be needed for each operation, and ensure that they are rated for the specified use and in good working condition. And finally, before wiring on an energized system, take whatever measurements are necessary to ensure the system is operating normally.
- Slide Show Notes Before starting any work in areas with energized parts, follow these safe work practice procedures: Identify and inspect all of the energized parts and equipment in your work area, regardless of whether you plan to work on them. Many arc flash incidents occur when tools touch or fall on live electrical equipment adjacent to or below the parts being serviced. In other cases, the cause is faulty or old circuits and connections that were not inspected. Do not cross an arc flash boundary without wearing all appropriate PPE. Check your work area for sharp objects and other obstructions that could cause injury or hinder escape and rescue if an arc flash or other electrical accident takes place. And finally, identify all environmental hazards such as water on the floor, which can create a ground, or oil on the floor, which can ignite or indicate a leak in a oil filled breaker or transformer.
- Slide Show Notes The flash protection boundary is the distance from a potential arc source within which the potential incident heat energy could cause at least a second-degree burn. The limited approach boundary defines a boundary around exposed live parts that may not be crossed by “unqualified” persons unless accompanied by “qualified” persons; The restricted approach boundary is the area near the exposed live parts that may be crossed only by “qualified” persons using appropriate shock prevention techniques and equipment; and The prohibited approach boundary is the area near exposed live parts that may be crossed only by “qualified” persons using the same protection as if direct contact with live parts is planned. This is defined by the nominal voltage (standard 120V, 240V, 480V, etc.). Demonstrate and describe the flash protection boundaries for the work areas in which participants will operate.
- Slide Show Notes Some operations will require certain equipment to be de-energized and locked out before starting any work with energized parts. Follow these general procedures, and the specific procedures of the lockout/tagout program: Find all possible sources of energy supply. Open disconnecting device(s). Verify device is open. Apply lockout/tagout devices wherever required. Test the voltage using only testing equipment that is in perfect working condition and that is rated for the equipment testing being performed. And apply appropriate grounding devices. Modify this slide with your site- or operation-specific electrical protection procedures.
- Slide Show Notes Wear the following PPE that is rated for the electrical protection level required for the particular operation before entering the flash protection boundary: Helmet or headgear, Face shield that is rated for the type of operation, Safety glasses, Rated gloves, Rated shoes/boots, and Rated flame-resistant clothing—do not wear outer clothing made of cotton or synthetic materials (such as nylon, acetate, or rayon) because it can burn or melt onto skin. Use cotton for undergarments only. Remember not to wear metal buttons, clasps, or zippers—they can create additional risks. Modify this slide to describe the specific PPE used at your facility for arc flash protection. If you are using the NFPA 70E-[year] for selecting PPE, copy and paste the hazard risk category chart for protective clothing here.
- Slide Show Notes If there is an arc flash incident and you are uninjured and able to respond, take the following measures to minimize further damage or injury: Turn off the power supply if you are trained and able to do so. Extinguish flames on a person first, then on equipment if the fire is incipient (early stages and small). Call for help—sound the alarm. And finally, begin CPR immediately if a co-worker is injured and is not breathing, and administer first aid if you are trained to do so. Before beginning CPR, be sure there are no serious burn injuries to the chest region. Modify this slide with a description of your site-specific emergency response procedures.
- <number> Slide Show Notes Follow safe work practices for working around electricity. Only qualified persons are allowed to work on or near exposed electrical equipment or wiring. Wear the right protective equipment. Don’t wear any clothing that can conduct electricity. This includes anything with metal, such as metal-rimmed glasses, jewelry, or wire-mesh gloves. The work area should be well-illuminated so that you can see if there are any electrical hazards present. Don’t use conductive liquids such as water—or for that matter, any conductive items—anywhere near exposed electrical equipment. Do not defeat or try to circumvent electrical interlock devices. And finally, double check to make sure you are using the right tools rated for the job you are doing. Modify this slide to describe specific safe work practices and procedures at your facility. Show trainees a copy of any written safe work practices adopted by your company related to electrical or arc flash safety.
- Slide Show Notes It is once again time to ask yourself if you understand the information presented so far. Do you understand about: Operations review? Hazard determination? Work practices? PPE? And, emergency response?
- Slide Show Notes Warning labels are placed on all equipment that poses a potential arc flash hazard. The current standard requires only that the label state the existence of an arc flash hazard. Describe the contents of arc flash labels at your facility, especially if the employer has adopted industry-accepted labeling requirements, such as NFPA 70-[year] NEC. Insert a picture of a label used at your facility.
- <number> Slide Show Notes Damaged equipment can result in serious electrical hazards. Stop using, and report to your supervisor: Any damaged electrical covers on electrical panels, junction boxes, and other equipment where live electrical parts and wiring may be exposed; Damaged tools that may expose live electrical parts and wiring to a person; Damaged equipment, such as circuit breakers, connectors, switches; or Improper equipment placement such as an extension cord over energized equipment. Modify this slide to describe your facility’s policies on damaged equipment and the procedures for reporting damage. Discuss your facility’s damaged equipment reporting procedures.
- Slide Show Notes In this exercise, see if you can remember the 5 steps to safe work practices. They are: Review the work operation; Determine the hazards; Determine and implement protective measures. Wear appropriate PPE; and Know how to respond to an arc flash incident.
- Slide Show Notes Never underestimate the risks and hazards of an arc flash associated with working on energized equipment. The long-term physical and emotional costs of ignoring the hazards and not following safe work practices are high and often permanent. Here are a few key points to remember when working with energized electrical equipment. Always inspect equipment and work areas for arc flash hazards and risks each time you enter an area with live electrical equipment. Keep an eye out for arc flash warning labels. Human error is a major cause of arc flash incidents, such as: Dropped tools, contact with an electrical part, wrong test equipment, and improper work practices. To prevent arc flash, always de-energize and lock out equipment whenever possible. Follow safe work practices without fail, and do not deviate from them at all. They could save your life, and years of pain and suffering. Wear all required PPE—make sure it is in excellent working condition and rated for the specific use that your work calls for. And finally, always report—and don’t use—damaged electrical equipment, testing equipment, and other tools. Give trainees the quiz.