Keeping workers safe it the top priority of all employers, large or small. Anyone working in an area with electrical equipment is exposed to arc flash hazards and potential injuries.
What Is Arc Flash?
OSHA defines it as “a phenomenon where a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another, or to ground. The results are often violent and when a human is in close proximity to the arc flash, serious injury and even death can occur.”
Causes
Arc flash can be caused by many things including:
- Dust
- Dropping tools
- Accidental touching
- Condensation
- Material failure
- Corrosion
- Faulty Installation
Factors Determining The Severity Of Flash Injuries
- Proximity of the worker to the hazard
- Temperature
- Time for circuit to break
Because of the violent nature of an arc flash exposure when an employee is injured, the injury is serious – even resulting in death. It’s not uncommon for an injured employee to never regain their past quality of life. Extended medical care is often required, sometimes costing in excess of $1,000,000.
Workplace Safety Awareness Council
Typical Results From An Arc Flash
- Burns (Non FR clothing can burn onto skin)
- Fire (could spread rapidly through building)
- Flying objects (often molten metal)
- Blast pressure (upwards of 2,000 lbs. / sq.ft)
- Sound Blast (noise can reach 140 dB – loud as a gun)
- Heat (upwards of 35,000 degrees F)
As you can see, dealing with the potential of arc flash requires proper training and equipment.
The Man Store carries the Amerifire-AR brand of clothing compliant with NFPA 70E and certified to NFPA 2112, NFPA 1975, and Canada CSA Z462 requirements.
The standard for electrical safety in the workplace (NFPA 70e) has developed a matrix of Hazard/Risk Categories (HRC) to help match the tasks being performed on energized electrical equipment to the appropriate flame resistant protective clothing. While garments with a higher arc rating can be used; a garment’s specific minimum for arc ratings required by Hazard/Risk Categories should be followed.
Hazardous Risk Categories
The garments in:
- HRC 1 have Arc Ratings between 4 cal/cm2 and 7.9 cal/cm2.
- HRC 2 have Arc Ratings between 8 cal/cm2 and 24 cal/cm2.
- HRC 3 have Arc Ratings between 25 cal/cm2 and 39 cal/cm2.
- HRC 4 have Arc Ratings 40cal/ cm2 and above.
Visit our website for the safety apparel that meets the needs of your workforce.
You can trust The Man Store for all of your safety needs. We have been the #1 in Industrial Safety Supplies since 2003. Our mission is simple…“We help send the American worker home safely.”
For more information, please complete this contact form, email or call us: (931) 651-1044
Note: This article contains information obtained from OSHA and the Workplace Safety Awareness Council. To read the entire article, click here:
