Arc Flash & Electrical Safety: April 2007

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Shell Protects Against Arc Flash Hazard

Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine has an article describing how Shell Canada reduced the arc flash hazard level at a gas processing plant.

Shell conducted a short circuit, coordination and arc flash study at its Burnt Timber gas processing plant. The study showed there were some arc flash problems that needed to addressed. The article states:

"Shell’s solution was a comprehensive program to install an arc flash reduction maintenance system and retrofit conversion packages to existing equipment. The unit lowers arc flash incident energy levels by temporarily lowering trip settings during the maintenance cycle."

Labels: Arc Flash, Preventing Arc Flash Accidents

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Monday, April 23, 2007

Federal Pacific Electric Stab-lok Circuit Breakers

Warning information about Federal Pacific Electric Stab-lok Circuit Breakers is provided on a building inspection web site authored by Daniel Friedman. The introduction explains:

"This website explains the fire and shock hazards associated with Federal Pacific Electric Stab-lok circuit breakers and service panels, provides a history of the issue, recounts research on FPE failures, and recommends replacement of the panels. Photographs are provided to aid in identification of Federal Pacific FPE Stab-Lok equipment. The web author has no business, financial, or other connection with this product nor with its replacement."

In addition to warning information the web site describes the problems in detail, provides extensive documentation, and has a huge number of photographs to help you identify Federal Pacific Electric Stab-lok circuit breakers.

This web site is not just about Federal Pacific Electric Stab-lok circuit breakers. It is a comprehensive building and environmental inspection web site covering many safety topics.

Labels: Safety Inspections

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Electrical Burn Photos

A significant percent of electrical injuries happen because a worker took a short cut or ignored safety procedures. Because they did not recognize the severity of the hazard, they thought they could "get away" with not fully complying with all requirements.

OSHA has published a set of photographs you can use to help your employees, vendors and contractors recognize the danger of electrical burns. These are not pleasant pictures to see, but they get the point across... don't take shortcuts when it comes to electrical safety.

Labels: Arc Flash Accidents, Electrical Injuries

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Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Introductory Arc Flash Training

I always have my eyes open for good resources that will help with training.

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has developed an excellent four page arc flash safety booklet that is available online as a PDF file. The booklet is called: Hazard Prevention - Burn Injury Facts.

The booklet provides concise information that is easy-to-readand understand. It would be a good booklet to give new employees to familiarize them with the hazards of arc flash.

The booklet starts by describing arc flash, explaining why it is hazardous, and giving several examples of actual arc flash incidents. It then provides a summary of how to prevent arc flash injuries by eliminating the hazard; using engineering controls; using administrative controls; using work practice controls; and using PPE. The final section describes what to do should someone by injured by arc flash.

Labels: Arc Flash, Preventing Arc Flash Accidents

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Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Webinar - New Federal Standard for Electrical Installation

The American Society of Safety Engineers conducts regular webinars on safety topics. You can see a list of upcoming webinars on the ASSE home page.

A webinar covering the New Federal Standard for Electrical Installation will be held on Wednesday June 6, 2007 at 11am-12:30pm CST. An ASSE press release states:

The new OSHA Electrical Standard will significantly impact SH&E professionals and the practice of the profession in regard to electrical safety. On Wednesday, June 6th, at 11:00 AM CST David Wallis of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will give a presentation addressing the new Federal Standard for Electrical Installation, which becomes effective on August 13, 2007.

A media statement released distributed by OSHA on 2/13/2007 stated:

"The revised standard strengthens employee protections and adds consistency between OSHA's requirements and many state and local building codes which have adopted updated National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and National Electrical Code provisions."

Changes to OSHA's general industry electrical installation standard focus on safety in the design and installation of electric equipment in the workplace. The updated standard includes a new alternative method for classifying and installing equipment in Class I hazardous locations; new requirements for ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and new provisions on wiring for carnivals and similar installations.

To read the actual rule and information about the standard you can visit OSHA at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/electrical/index.html

The following topics will be covered in this 90-minute call:

• An overview of the standard
• A description of the new standard
• The potential impact of the standard
• Implementation of the standard
• How it will be enforced
• A thirty minute Q&A session addressing the standard

The presenter will be Mr. David Wallis. David is the Director of the Office of Engineering Safety, and has been with OSHA for over 30 years. David is a well regarded SH&E professional and has significant experience with both safety engineering and the creation/implementation of public policy.

ASSE prides itself on offering high caliber technical conference call events with an emphasis on quality with reasonable pricing. Participants in the “live” conference call via webinar are eligible for .15 CEU upon completion of all requirements, which include completing the on-line evaluation and on-line participation in polls, feedback and/or assessment sessions. A link to a post-session assessment will be emailed to all registered participants following the live conference event. Participants are invited to submit questions ahead of time via an e-mail to Tfisher@ASSE.Org. Questions and comments can also be submitted using the chat section of WebEx, which is the technology used for the presentation.

Labels: Work Place Safety

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Thursday, April 05, 2007

May Is Electrical Safety Month

Press Release from the Electrical Safety Foundation

Electrical Safety Begins in May

(Arlington, Va.) May is National Electrical Safety Month—time to begin year-round electrical safety awareness efforts, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).

"Despite the fact that improved product safety engineering, standards and electrical codes have reduced electrical hazards, thousands suffer from electrical shock and fires each year," said ESFI President Brett Brenner.

To increase electrical safety awareness and protect those at home and in the workplace, ESFI has developed an electrical safety tool kit that includes statistics on electrical hazards and recommendations to avoid electrical shock, burns and fires.

Electricity kills nearly 400 people and injures thousands more each year. Most of these deaths and injuries could be avoided with an increased awareness of electrical safety, such as noting locations of power lines when working outside. Power line contact with construction equipment, ladders, and gardening tools are among the leading cause of electrocutions.

Use of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to protect against lethal electrical currents can also reduce electrocutions.

Estimates indicate electricity causes 140,000 fires each year. These fires kill hundreds of people, injure thousands more, and cost billions of dollars in property damage. Aging electrical systems, combined with the growing power demands, contribute to electrical fire hazards. Overloaded circuits, flickering lights, and discolored electrical outlets and light switch face plates, point to the need for electrical upgrades. Addressing these hazards can save lives, reduce injuries and cut economic losses caused by electrical fires.

For additional electrical safety information, visit the Foundation's web site at www.electrical-safety.org or call 703-841-3229.

Labels: Electrical Safety Foundation International

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Monday, April 02, 2007

Lax Lockout Procedures Result in Arc Flash Burns to Navy Worker

Machinery & Equipment MRO reports:

"Nova Scotia authorities concluded that an arc flash accident that burned a worker aboard a navy ship on February 15, 2007, was caused by the employee’s failure to follow established lockout and tag-out procedures, reports Canadian OH&S News."

Having the proper lockout/tagout equipment and supplies, providing the necessary training, and ensuring that lockout/tagout proceedures are always followed are all important in preventing arc flash injuries. There is no excuse when an injury results from an arc flash in equipment that should have been de-energized, and properly locked out.

Labels: Arc Flash Accidents, Lockout/Tagout

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