Preparation and Protection Against Arc Flash

In industrial environments where processes require high energy demands, the risk of arc flash is of particular concern to electrical contractors, as the hazards of electrical work can be deadly.

As defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), arc flash occurs when electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air to a nearby conductor. The phenomenon is explosive and can result in serious injury or death to someone standing nearby.

Project planning, employee training, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), warning labels, and lockout/tagout procedures are all important in preventing injury. OSHA, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) provide standards and requirements with respect to arc flash. NFPA70E requires arc flash risk assessments be performed by a professional engineer to determine if an arc flash hazard exists and, if so, the appropriate work practices, arc flash boundary, and personal protective equipment.

Arc flash hazards are categorized on a scale from 1-4, with 4 being the highest. For each category, there is a corresponding list of clothing and PPE an electrician is required to wear while performing work. Approved clothing and PPE must comply with ASTM standards and are labeled with a calorie rating that defines the fabric’s level of thermal performance.

SEFA’s Safety Department provides training, PPE, and on-site inspections to support our commitment to the safety of our employees, customers, and communities.