Arc Flash & Electrical Safety: April 2008

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

OSHA Cites DCS Sanitation Management Inc. Following Electrocution Death

The following is a press release from OSHA dated April 14, 2008.

OSHA cites DCS Sanitation Management Inc. for multiple safety and health violations following an electrocution death.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited DCS Sanitation Management Inc. for 10 alleged violations of federal safety and health standards following the Oct. 12, 2007, death of an employee at a Springfield, Mo., poultry processing facility.

An employee of Cincinnati, Ohio-based DCS Sanitation Management, working to sanitize poultry processing equipment, was electrocuted when the equipment's conductive surface became energized.

"Our inspection revealed multiple violations of OSHA's electrical standards," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City. "It is imperative that employers remain committed to keeping the workplace safe at all times."

An alleged willful violation addresses hazards associated with the company's failure to ensure employees are removed from equipment hazard areas, all tools are removed, and equipment is operationally intact prior to its release from lockout/tagout safeguards and employee use. Lockout/tagout refers to preventing accidental start-up of machinery during maintenance. Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations.

An alleged repeat violation addresses a hazard associated with the lack of suitable facilities for quick drenching and/or flushing of the eyes and body in the event of an emergency when employees were working with injurious corrosives. Repeat violations are issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same, or a substantially similar, violation that has become a final order.

Alleged serious violations address the following hazards: failure to ensure electrical equipment was free from recognized hazards; failure to ensure the means of grounding machines and equipment was continuous and effective; enclosures for electrical components in wet environments that were not waterproof; failure to provide all flexible cords with a strain relief; failure to provide a standard guardrail system for every floor opening or platform above dangerous equipment; failure to provide and/or require the use of appropriate eye and face protective equipment; and allowing the consumption of food and beverages in areas exposed to toxic chemicals.

An other-than-serious violation addresses the employer's failure to report the fatal accident to the nearest OSHA area office within the required eight hours of occurrence. The agency's proposed penalties for all violations total $124,500.

DCS Sanitation Management Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request and participate in an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Labels: Electrical Injuries, Lockout/Tagout, OSHA

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Monday, April 14, 2008

Failing To Follow Safety Rules

Sometimes we've done the same thing over and over so many times we start to feel like we can "get away with" taking shortcuts. This video is a dramatization that shows what can happen when we fail to follow elementary electrical safety rules.

Labels: Electrical Hazards, Electrical Safety Training, Safety Video

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Thursday, April 10, 2008

University Employees Injured By Arc Flash

The Texas Christian University Daily Skiff (the student newspaper) reports in today's edition that two university employees were injured by an arc flash. The article reports that:

"Two physical plant employees were injured Wednesday morning in an electrical accident in the basement of Tandy Hall, university officials said."

"One employee who suffered injuries to his eyes and forearm was still in the hospital late Wednesday, and the other, who injured his knee while moving to avoid the shock, was treated and released, said Tracy Syler-Jones, associate vice chancellor for marketing and communication."

There had been a power outage and the two employees were working to start a backup generator. This incident should make us aware that we must always be alert to the possibility of an arc flash when working with electrical equipment. My guess is that the two workers who were injured never even considered the possibility of an arc flash. Training, proper labeling, and the use of PPE are three pillars that can not be ignored or forgotten.

Labels: Arc Flash Labeling, Arc Flash PPE, Arc Flash Training, Electrical Injuries

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Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Solving The Puzzle Of Electrical Safety Compliance

Square D Schneider Electric has released another video on their website which is also available for online viewing or download. The new video is called "Solving the Puzzle of Electrical Safety Compliance".

This new video provides a basic seminar about electrical safety compliance which thoroughly explains the details about electrical hazards and NFPA 70E, and how OSHA enforces this important electrical safety standard. The non-technical treatment is suitable for anyone who is responsible for, or concerned with electrical safety.

The running time for this video is approximately 75 minutes. It is available in four formats (two for streaming video and two for download). Each option has two file sizes to accommodate different internet connection speeds. Because the video length is 75 minutes, you may prefer to use one of the two download options that are available. Download will take several minutes to complete, depending on your internet connection quality.

Labels: Electrical Safety Training

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Monday, April 07, 2008

Honeywell Aquires Arc Flash Protective Equipment Maker

The following is a press release from Honeywell:

Honeywell Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Norcross Safety Products

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Honeywell on Friday announced a definitive agreement to acquire Norcross Safety Products L.L.C., a leading manufacturer of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), for approximately $1.2 billion.

Norcross, based in Oak Brook, IL, and majority owned by Odyssey Investment Partners, manufactures a wide range of protective and safety equipment for the fire service, utility and general industrial worker segments. The agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review. Norcross will be integrated into Honeywell Life Safety, part of Honeywell’s Automation and Control Solutions (ACS) group. Norcross’s revenue was approximately $609 million in 2007.

“From emergency responders, to electrical workers to the industrial workforce, Norcross’s innovative solutions protect those who work in environments where safety protection is paramount,” said Roger Fradin, President and CEO of Honeywell ACS. “With more than 100 years of industry experience, best-in-class solutions and trusted brands, and a strong management team with exceptional talent and depth, Norcross is a globally recognized industry leader that will bolster our offerings to our customers in key Life Safety segments.”

Fradin continued, “This acquisition provides Honeywell with a complete platform in a fragmented, global segment which is expected to yield substantial growth opportunities. Investing in Norcross allows Honeywell to fully participate in the broad and highly regulated industrial safety marketplace.”

As one of the industry’s largest providers of personal protective equipment, Norcross has a unique ability to provide integrated head-to-toe protective equipment solutions. Norcross is a recognized leader in a number of market segments including Air Purifying Respirators (APRs), protective footwear, protective headgear, firefighter turnout gear, high-voltage sleeves and gloves, and arc flash protection. It benefits from one of the industry’s most extensive distribution networks with more than 2,500 distributors.

“This acquisition creates an exciting adjacency for Honeywell Life Safety – especially our Fire Systems and Gas Detection businesses, which share common distribution channels with Norcross. We expect strong sales synergies across Honeywell businesses and opportunities to add value to Norcross products with Honeywell electronic gas sensors, fire detection and advanced fiber material technologies,” said Mark Levy, President of Honeywell Life Safety. “Norcross and its leadership in the personal protection segment are highly complementary to our portfolio and customer base. The acquisition of Norcross builds on the highly successful Novar, Zellweger and First Technology acquisitions and extends our already strong position in the $20 billion global Life Safety marketplace.”

Norcross is uniquely positioned in a number of core vertical segments including General Safety and Preparedness (respiratory protection; protective footwear; hand protection; eye, head, face and ear protection; first aid; and fall protection); Fire Service (firefighter turnout gear, footwear, helmets, gloves and other accessories); and Electrical Safety (gloves and sleeves, lineman equipment and arc flash protection). Norcross sells its products under trusted, long-standing and well-recognized brand names, including North, KCL, Fibre-Metal, Morning Pride, Pro-Warrington, Salisbury and Servus.

“Becoming a part of Honeywell is a terrific opportunity for our business, customers and employees. We are enthusiastic that this acquisition brings us access to even stronger technologies, global distribution channels, and gives us the ability to expand our product offerings in a world with heightened safety demands,” said Bob Peterson, President and CEO of Norcross Safety Products.

Honeywell International is a $36 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com.

Labels: Arc Flash PPE

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