ARC FLASH PROTECTION AND

SAFETY MEASURES
September 2010
Introduction
Hazards of Electrical Energy
Electrical Safety Program
Safety-Related Work Practices
Electrical Safety Procedures

Presented By:
Ken Schmerber, MS, CIH, CSP
Principal EHS Consultant
Hellman & Associates, Inc.
303-384-9828
kschmerber@ehscompliance.com

INTRODUCTION

OSHAs 29 CFR 1910.332(a) - Requires training

when employees face a risk of electric shock that
is not reduced to a safe level by the electrical
installation requirements of 1910.303 through
1910.308.
OSHAs 1926.416(a)(1) - No employer shall
permit an employee to work in such proximity to
any part of an electric power circuit that the
employee could contact the electric power circuit
in the course of work, unless the employee is
protected against electric shock by de-energizing
the circuit and grounding it or by guarding it
effectively by insulation or other means.

INTRODUCTION

To be Considered a Qualified Person:

Safety-related work practices that pertain to their job
assignments.
The skills and knowledge necessary to:
Distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric
equipment; and
Determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts.

Appropriate clearance distances for the corresponding

voltages to which they will be exposed.
Construction and operation of the equipment and the
hazards involved.
Specific hazards associated with electrical energy.
Relationship between electrical hazards and possible
injury.
Applicable emergency procedures.

INTRODUCTION

Regulations/Standards ( 50 Volts):
OSHA 29 CFR 1910, Subpart S, Electrical

1910.331, Scope
1910.332, Training
1910.333, Selection and Use of Work Practices
1910.334, Use of Equipment
1910.335, Safeguards for Personal Protection

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E,

Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2009
Edition

Chapter 1 - Safety-Related Work Practices

Chapter 2 - Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements
Chapter 3 - Safety Requirements for Special Equipment
Annexes A - O

INTRODUCTION

NFPA Chapter 1, Safety-Related Work Practices

Article 100 - Definitions
Article 110 - General Requirements for Electrical SafetyRelated Work Practices
Article 120 - Establishing an Electrically Safe Work
Condition
Article 130 - Work Involving Electrical Hazards

INTRODUCTION

OSHA
Reference

NFPA

Subpart S NFPA 70E

Chapter 1

Working on Live Parts

Qualified Person/Training

Approach Boundaries ALL

Work
Personal Protective
Equipment

Refers to
Subpart I

Hazard/Risk
Category

Electrical Safety Program

Energized Electrical Work

Permit

INTRODUCTION

HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Hazards include:
Shock;
Electrocution;
Arc Flash/Blast; and
Burns.

HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Why is arc flash dangerous?

An arc is a source of intense heat, light, sound, and
pressure!
Colorado in July/August: 100 F
Surface of the Sun: 8,540 F
Arc at arc terminals: 35,540 F

HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Physical Effects of Arc Blast

Metal vapor and air expand very rapidly due to arc
heating.
Pressure wave (~740 mph; 2,000 psi; ~ 165 dB) knocks
worker away from arc:

Good: removes personnel from heat source

Bad: removes personnel from ladder
Eardrum rupture
Blindness
Lung damage
Death!

Molten metal droplets:

Can ignite clothing
Cause burns

HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

How hazardous can it be?

HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Annual Preventative Maintenance Incident

HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Live Breaker Replacement Incident

HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Breaker Racking

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

General
Implement overall program that is appropriate to manage
the degree of hazard
Electrical safety procedures are one component
LO/TO also plays a critical role

Safe Work Procedures

Hazard Analysis
Coordination Study
Shock and Arc-Flash Analysis

Job Briefing
Personal Protective Equipment
Training
Auditing

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333

Safety related work practices shall be employed to
prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from
either direct or indirect electrical contact.
Live parts to which an employee
may be exposed shall be
deenergized before the
employee works on or near
them, unless the employer can
demonstrate that deenergizing
introduces additional or
increased hazards or is
infeasible.
Verification that equipment is
deenergized can be hazardous.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

When is it acceptable to work on energized

equipment?
When it involves:

Interruption of life support systems;

Deactivation of emergency alarm systems;
Shutdown of hazardous location ventilation; and
Removal of illumination.

Or is infeasible:
Diagnostics and testing (e.g., start-up and troubleshooting);
and
Part of continuous process segment.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Hazard Analysis
Coordination Study
Electrical Hazard Analysis
Shock Hazard
Process described in NFPA 70E 130.2, Approach Boundaries
to Energized Electrical Conductors or Circuit Parts

Arc Flash Hazard

Process described in NFPA 70E 130.3, Arc Flash Hazard
Analysis
Alternative is to use the PPE requirements in NFPA 70E
130.7(C)(9). The table can be used if system meets the
limitations in the Note section at the end of the table.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Hazard/Risk Evaluation Procedure

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Table 130.7(C)(9), Hazard/Risk Classification

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Table 130.7(C)(9), Notes

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Table 130.7(C)(10), PPE

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Table 130.7(C)(10), Notes

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Table 130.7(C)(11), Protective Clothing

Characteristics

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Annex D, Incident Energy and Flash Protection

Boundary Calculation Methods

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Equipment shall be field marked with a label

containing the available incident energy or
required level of PPE.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Procedures (Routine)
Purpose of task
Qualifications and number of employees involved
Hazardous nature and extent of task
Limits of approach
Safe work practices to be utilized
Required PPE including insulating materials and tools
Electrical diagrams
Equipment details
Reference data

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Job Briefing Form (Non-Routine)

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

Energized Electrical Work Permit (Non-Routine)

Used when an electrical system cannot be placed in an
electrically safe work condition.

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SAFETY RELATED WORK PRACTICES

LOTO
Approach boundaries
PPE and inspection
Others

SAFETY RELATED WORK PRACTICES

Approach Boundaries and PPE

Shock Protection
Limited;
Restricted; and
Prohibited.

Flash Protection
Distance at which the incident energy is 1.2 cal/cm2 (i.e.,
point at which second degree burns may occur).

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SAFETY RELATED WORK PRACTICES

Limits of Approach (Figure C-1-2.4)

SAFETY RELATED WORK PRACTICES

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SAFETY RELATED WORK PRACTICES

Personal Protective Equipment

SAFETY RELATED WORK PRACTICES

Use the left hand rule

Open cabinets from hinged side
Ensure there is adequate illumination
No blind reaching
Do not use over current protection devices as
switches
Use shielding for enclosed spaces
No use of conductive materials or equipment
such as metal ladders and apparel
Housekeeping

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROCEDURES

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROCEDURES

Required PPE

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROCEDURES

Procedure

SUMMARY
OSHA and NFPA 70E
50 V
Qualified Worker

Hazards of Electrical Energy

Shock
Arc Flash

Electrical Hazard Analysis

Determines PPE level

Safety-Related Work Practices

Work deenergized
LOTO
PPE if working energized

Electrical Safety Program

ESPs
Energized Work Permit

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