Arc Flash & Electrical Safety News

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Arc-Flash Compliance for Industrial Facilities and Beyond

Jim Crockett, Editor-In-Chief of the magazine Consulting-Specifying Engineer, reports from the National Manufacturing Week show that worker safety was a high priority in discussions on both the exhibit floor and in sessions. However, he reports that "adherence to NFPA 70E, part of the National Electric Code, was, of course, a subset of this discussion, but in a disturbing sort of way. 'A big question we keep getting is, Do we have to do this?' said Doug Mleczko with Des Plaines, Ill.-based fuse manufacturer Littelfuse."

The article goes on to describe arc flash hazards and how it is important that consulting engineers be current on arc flash safety. The article quotes Joe Weigel with Square D's Services Group in Nashville, Tenn., "the issue goes well beyond educating plant managers. Consulting engineers, he argued, also need to get up to speed."

"Clients rely on consulting engineers to be experts on the current codes and standards affecting electrical system design," said Weigel. "Most consultants are very knowledgeable in this area, but design practices for minimum arc-flash potential have not yet been defined in the standards."

"Weigel went on to say that, in fact, the practices commonly used today are bad. Engineers have to be aware of the potential legal consequences of their current practices."

Weigel then went on to offer a number of suggestions to consulting engineers for improving arc flash safety.

Read this article online.

Labels: Work Place Safety