What is an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Study?
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What is an Arc Flash?
An arc flash is an electrical explosion due to a short circuit or other type of fault within an electrical system and/or equipment. These explosions can produce temperatures that exceed 35,000˚F, cause intense pressure waves, vaporize metal, ignite fires, produce intense light, and create flying shrapnel. Arc flashes can cause electrical equipment to explode and result in serious injury or death to employees and contractors. When an arc flash happens, it is usually instantaneous and without any warning – this leaves little to no time for personnel to react and protect themselves.
What are the Causes of an Arc Flash?
Many times, an arc flash occurs when an employee or contractor is working on and/or interacting with live electrical equipment and they accidentally create a fault or short circuit. A worker could be performing a repair, test, troubleshooting, or just be exercising a switch and cause an arc flash.
Many people assume that they are safe to work on low voltage electrical equipment, but in reality, arc flash energy levels may be higher at lower voltages than at higher voltages. No worker is safe from an arc flash if they are working on or interacting with live electrical equipment.
An arc flash can also be caused by:
Improper working techniques – Carelessness, accidents, overconfidence, weariness, intoxication, bad habits, and even pressure to get the job done quickly
Lack of electrical safety training
Personnel being under-qualified and/or unqualified for the specific job or task
Use of improper and/or damaged tools, materials, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE)
Lack of and/or improper preventative maintenance on electrical gear and equipment – Accumulation of dirt, dust, debris, moisture, liquids, and corrosion. Damage to insulation/insulating materials, loose connections, broken parts, and overloaded equipment
Improper equipment installation, use of substandard parts, use of underrated equipment, and improper use of said equipment
Animals and weather – Rodents, snakes, birds, wild animals. Rain, snow, hail, wind, and even flooding
What is an Arc Flash Risk Assessment?
An arc flash risk assessment or arc flash study is the evaluation of a workplace facility by an electrical safety expert to determine hazards and risks in relation to that facility’s electrical system. It is a study of the facility's power system to determine the incident energy at specific electrical devices or equipment that employees would be exposed to while “interacting with” at the facility.
The analysis results in arc flash equipment labeling, recommendations for improvements and requirements for proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
Am I Required to Have an Arc Flash Analysis Performed at My Facility?
The short answer is, YES. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the National Electric Code (NEC) all require an arc flash analysis be performed.
OSHA General Duty Clause – Each employer shall furnish to each of its employees: employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.335 – Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for specific parts of the body to be protected for the work to be performed.
NFPA 70E, Section 130.5 Arc Flash Risk Assessment – An arc flash risk assessment shall be performed to identify arc flash hazards and to estimate the likelihood of occurrence of injury or damage to health. This assessment shall be reviewed at intervals not to exceed 5 years and must be updated when major modifications or renovations take place.
NFPA 70E, Section 110.3 (A) Host Employer Responsibilities – Holds the host employer’s facility responsible for identifying the electrical hazards a contractor and/or employee may encounter at the host employer’s facility. Therefore, using contract workers does not remove the requirement that an arc flash risk assessment or arc flash study must be performed at your facility.
NEC 110.16 Arc-Flash Hazard Warning – “Electrical equipment, such as switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor control centers, that are in other than dwelling units, and are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, shall be field or factory marked to warn qualified persons of potential electric arc flash hazards.”