Arc Flash & Electrical Safety News

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Unusual Arc Flash Label Application

This blog is published by Graphic Products, the company that makes Duralabel printers and DuraLabel supplies. Generally I don't talk much about our products, but instead focus on providing arc flash safety and training related information. But sometimes interesting things come up that deserve to be mentioned... such as yesterday.

We have developed more types of supplies for our DuraLabel printers than you'll find for any other printer. We have a full-time staff of R&D researchers, engineers, test lab technicians, and QA people constantly working to solve labeling and sign making problems.

Yesterday we had a call from someone who needed to apply arc flash labels outdoors, in freezing temperatures. It wasn't a job that could wait for warmer weather. The application temperature range on normal arc flash die-cut warning labels only goes as low as 40 degrees. The problem was turned over to our R&D group. They solved the problem, creating a new low-temperature supply. It was then released to our manufacturing group and within 24 hours of the customer presenting us with the problem, low-temperature arc flash labels were shipped. Problem solved!

That's what DuraLabel is all about... providing unbeatable customer service and solving your labeling and sign making problems. We're here so you can have a happy, relaxed and safe holiday season, because the visual communication supplies you need have been delivered and are performing as promised.

Have a Merry Christmas! And a truly great New Year!!

Labels: Arc Flash Labeling, Work Place Safety

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Water Plant Employee Suffers Burn Injury

The Roanoke Times reported on Tuesday: "A Western Virginia Water Authority worker was injured Sunday night at the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant in Southeast Roanoke. An electrical arc flash-burned the man's hand and forearm about 9:30 p.m. Sunday while he tended to a medium-voltage electrical panel, said Sarah Baumgardner, the authority's spokeswoman"

Thinking back over the past year it seems that arc flash accidents rarely make the news. The danger of arc flash can easily be forgotten, and replaced by assumptions and shortcuts. Arc flash can happen in seemingly a random manner... it may be years before one happens in your facility. Or it could be in just a few minutes. You never know when an arc flash will happen. Don't get complacent. Never relax your safety vigilance.

Labels: Arc Flash Training, Electrical Injuries

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Arc Flash Safety Hazard Warning Labels. NFPA 70E Compliance & Electrical Safe Work Practices Tips

I just ran across a good article in the American Chronicle about arc flash labels and arc flash safe practices related to labeling. The article provides an overview of arc flashing labeling. The concluding paragraph states:

"When determining what arc flash hazard labels to use and what to include on them, always focus on the end users – the persons in the field exposed to the hazards. These labels exist to protect them, to give them the information they need to do their work and stay safe. Keep the information brief and easy to read. And always train, audit, re-train. People don´t do what you expect, they do what you inspect. Personnel must understand the purpose of these labels, the safety net they provide, and, as with any other tool or safe work practice, how to use them."

You can read the article here.

Use this link to get a free Arc Flash Labeling Best Practices Guide.

Labels: Arc Flash Labeling, Arc Flash Training

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Should Arc Flash Danger Labels Ever Be Used?

Some say that a DANGER label should be used when the incident energy exposure is greater than 40 cal/cm sq. Others say that DANGER labels never should be used for arc flash because an arc flash is rare, and ANSI code only calls for a DANGER label when the hazard will result in death or serious injury.

What do you think? Should WARNING labels be used in all cases? Are there instances in which as DANGER label should be used?

I'm not avoiding the question, but in this case the right answer is: what do you think?

There is nothing in the NFPA or ANSI code that answers this question. So the answer is that you must do what you think is right, then stick to it as a standard throughout your facility. Then be sure everyone is properly trained on how arc flash labels are being used in your facility.

Here are some questions to ask yourself: If you are using both warning and danger arc flash labels, what is the difference? When is a danger label used instead of a warning label? If you are using just warning labels for arc flash, is this consistent with how labels are used throughout your facility and how should workers respond? Or you may choose to always use danger labels for arc flash.

Whatever approach you take, establishing a standard, sticking to it, and training people to understand that standard are essential for ensuring a safe workplace.

Labels: Arc Flash Labeling, Arc Flash Training

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Thursday, December 03, 2009

New York Personal Injury Attorney Says That Electrocution Is A Serious Risk for Workers

The following is from a press release and provides one law firm's view on electrical injuries. Some of the stronger "sales pitch" language has been edited out.

According to New York Injury Law Firm George W. Ilchert, Esq., a partner with Lurie, Ilchert, Mac Donnell and Ryan, LLP, a recent study conducted by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has shown that one person dies each workday as a result of an electric accident.

"Whether it is an electrocution, shock, arc flash, arc blast, or other electricity-related accident, emergency rooms across the United States treat nearly 8,000 victims each year, many of whom are injured on the job," says Ilchert. "No matter what the industry, electricity is always present in the workplace and although government regulated safety standards exist, accidents still happen even when safety procedures and guidelines are followed."

Ilchert notes that while the NFPA's standards for workplace safety have created a safer working environment for America's workers, including the mandate that electrical equipment be de-energized prior to being worked with, he and the staff at the Lurie Law Firm have become all too familiar with on-the-job electrical accidents in which clients have suffered serious injury by coming in contact with live electrical currents.

Ilchert stated, "The injuries that we see among our clients are typically quite severe and, at times, a work-related electrical accident can even result in death," says Ilchert. "The more serious injuries often require an immense amount of medical treatment and cause lifestyle changes that prevent victims from returning to work, sometimes indefinitely."

According to Ilchert, the lawyers from his firm, like any reputable NY accident lawyer, seek to recover the necessary compensation for the pain, suffering, loss of income, or medical treatments that their clients deserve as a result of an electrical work-related injury. The Lurie Law firm lists the most common work-related electrical injuries as electrocution, electric shock, and burns.

"A quality personal injury lawyer will use a team of experts to determine what, if any, compensation an accident victim deserves," says Ilchert, "and to ensure that anyone responsible is held accountable.

Labels: Electrical Injuries

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