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!!

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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.

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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.

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.

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Friday, July 10, 2009

Understanding Arc Flash Regulations

This video, by Industrial Training University covers the basics that workers need to know about arc flash and the need for proper labeling and PPE.



Information about arc flash labeling.

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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Arc Flash Safety: History and Requirements

Scott Harris published a post on the Industrial Risk Management blog yesterday that discusses the history of arc flash and requirements for protecting people from arc flash hazards. The article opens with:

"Arc flash was first identified by Dr. Ralph Lee in his 1982 'The Other Electrical Hazard: Electric Arc Blast Burns.' Dr. Lee found that as many as 80% of electrical injuries resulted from arc flash rather than from shock, which had always been thought to be the major risk associated with live electrical work."

After discussing the history of arc flash and code requirements, Mr. Harris points out that labeling of arc flash hazards is required, and in particular a 2006 OSHA interpretation letter. The question posed to OSHA was:

"When work must be performed on energized electric equipment that is capable of exposing employees to arc-flash hazards, does OSHA require the marking of the electric equipment to warn qualified persons of potential electric arc-flash hazards — i.e., as required by NFPA 70E-2004?"

OSHA's answer was:

"OSHA has no specific requirement for such marking. A requirement to mark equipment with flash hazard warnings was not included in the 1981 Subpart S revision. However, paragraph (e) of §1910.303 requires employers to mark electrical equipment with descriptive markings, including the equipment's voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary. OSHA believes that this information, along with the training requirements for qualified persons, will provide employees the necessary information to protect themselves from arc-flash hazards. "

"Additionally, in §1910.335(b), OSHA requires employers to use alerting techniques (safety signs and tags, barricades, and attendants) . . . to warn and protect employees from hazards which could cause injury due to electric shock, burns or failure of electric equipment parts. Although these Subpart S electrical provisions do not specifically require that electric equipment be marked to warn qualified persons of arc-flash hazards, §1910.335(b)(1) requires the use of safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags to warn employees about electrical hazards (e.g., electric-arc-flash hazards) which may endanger them as required by §1910.145. "

Read the entire blog post here.

Related past posts:
Arc Flash Labeling Best Practices Guide
Arc Flash Labeling Starter Kit


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Friday, May 29, 2009

Tips For Property Managers And Electrical Contractors

The current issue of the NFPA Journal includes two tips for electrical contractors and property managers in an article called: "Keeping the Lights On."

The first tip is from NFPA 70E Section 110.5, Relationships with Contractors. Here is how the article summarizes this section: "The host employer is required to inform the contractor of any known hazards covered by NFPA 70E that the contractor or the contractor’s employees may not recognize."

The second tip comes from NFPA 70E Section 130.3(C), which requires that all equipment be labeled with an arc flash warning label specific to that equipment and its location.

You can read the entire article here.

Related Posts:
The Fine Print Notes In NFPA 70E
Revised NFPA 70E Clarifies Electical Safety
An Arc Flash Primer

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Sunday, July 27, 2008

Proposed Changes To NFPA 70E Seek To Revise Arc Flash Labels

An article in the May/June issue of the NFPA Journal discusses the changes in arc flash labeling requirements that are included in NFPA 70E - 2009. The opening paragraph states:

"Since arc flash labels were first required in 2002, there have been many differences throughout the industry between the wording and the choice of signal word and color. The 2009 edition of NFPA 70E, Electrical Safety in the Workplace, will require, for the first time, that one of two pieces of information be on the label: either the required level of personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear or the available incident energy. However, it leaves the color and signal word of the label and any other information the facility wants to put on the label up to the discretion of facility management."

This is currently the most read online article in the NFPA Journal. You can read the article here.

We are one of the largest suppliers of arc flash labeling equipment and supplies. We also offer the Vinyl Zapper, a device that quickly removes old labels without damaging te underlying surface. This allows old labels to be quickly and easily replaced.

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Thursday, June 19, 2008

New Arc Flash Printer

Graphic Products has just released the new DuraLabel PRO 300 industrial label printer. This is a high resolution 300 dpi thermal transfer printer that incorporates high-speed processing to provide fast printing of labels and signs.

This new printer provides five options for printing arc flash labels and signs.

The DuraLabel PRO 300 comes with the Flash Label database software. This software is used to create, print and store arc flash labels. Labels are printed using preformated 4"x6" die-cut labels that are available with either a danger or a warning header. Die-cut labels are available in both English and Spanish.

The die-cut labels may also be printed using generic software such as Microsoft Word or Excel, or using arc flash calculation software such as EasyPower.

As a third option the DuraLabel PRO 300 can use continuous two-color vinyl. This is a white vinyl tape with a colored header section typically used for a signal word. Two-color arc flash labels can be formatted to include any desired information. Two-color vinyl is available in four inch widths and may be printed in nearly any desired length. Two-color continuous vinyl is unique product available only for the DuraLabel line of printers.

Single color continuous vinyl is an option that provides total flexibility in label design. Information can be formatted and arranged to suit facility requirements.

The DuraLabel PRO 300 can also print text and graphics spanning multiple strips of vinyl. This means arc flash signs can be printed by combining strips of single color vinyl. For example, two 36" strips of orange tape and four 36" strips of white tape would be combined to create a 24" x 36" arc flash warning sign.

In addition to arc flash labels the DuraLabel PRO 300 can print a wide range of other types of labels and signs. From wire markers to pipe markers, tamper evident labels to glow-in-the-dark signs... the DuraLabel PRO 300 gets the job done right.

Use the links above for more information about the DuraLabel PRO 300 printer.

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Free Online Arc Flash / Electrical Resources

AVO Electrical Engineering Division offers a variety of training resources on their web site, for free use.

A series of online "slide shows" cover arc flash related topics:
  • Do you know your Approach Boundaries?
    Learn about a typical Arc Flash Label and different Approach Boundaries listed in it.

  • Do you know your Hot Spots?
    Learn about typical Hot Spots in your facility with high Incident Energy (IE).

  • Test your Arc Flash Knowledge
    Learn about Fundamental definitions of jargons used in the industry.

  • Do you have all the information to start an Arc Flash Study?
    Learn about typical Field Data required to perform Arc Flash Study.

  • Where should I place my Arc Flash Labels?
    Learn about where should the Arc Flash Labels be placed.
Nine publications are also available. They all may be read online.
  • Electrical Hazards Analysis

  • Electrical Safety and Maintenance Training

  • Electrical Safety in Battery Maintenance and Testing

  • Electrical Safety in Motor Maintenance and Testing

  • Electrical Safety in the Mining Industry

  • Electricity - The Silent Killer

  • Establishing an Electrical Safety Program

  • How to Develop an Effective Training Program

  • The Hazards of Electricity - Do You Know What They Are?
The web site is called: Free Technical Information and Publications

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

An Arc Flash Primer

An article in today's online edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer by Nicholas Chalhoub, Senior Electrical Engineer with CH2M HILL, is called "An Arc Flash Primer".

As most other articles about arc flash do, Mr. Chalhoub begins this article with an explanation of what arc flash is. I found it refreshing that he began his description of arc flash with the statement "The primary cause of arc fault is human error." He then describes how human error leads to arc flash and how arc flash hazards can be reduced.

The next topics are proper design, preventative maintenance and arc flash calculations. He discusses the goals and objectives of arc flash calculations and provides an example calculation. He then points out:

"After these calculations are generated, the arc flash and shock hazard tags must be printed and placed on the specified equipment. The flash hazard boundary, flash hazard, and the category type should be listed on the tag. Many maintenance and safety personnel have been requesting that the limited, restricted and prohibited approach be listed also."

You can read the entire article at: CSE Magazine

You can learn about arc flash labels and tags on our web site.

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Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Electric Power Conference

Joseph Deane is principal owner of KTR Associates, spoke about arc flash at the Electric Power Conference this morning. Mr. Deane has over 25 years of experience as an Electrical Engineer, Project Manager, and Executive, working in both the industrial and utility business sectors.

The following is an abstract of his presentation:

The NFPA 70E standard was created at the request of OSHA in 1979 to recognize the difference between design and workplace safety. The National Electric Code (NEC) provides the installation (design) standard while the NFPA 70E is the workplace safety standard.

NFPA 70E describes employer responsibilities and recommendations on topics such as employee training, safety-related work practices, tagout procedures, calculating flash protection boundaries and PPE requirements. The current standard recognizes arc flash as a serious hazard and establishes PPE requirements that apply when working around energized equipment.

Why is the NFPA-70E Standard Important? Because following the NFPA-70E standard may save a life. Hazardous arc flashes can occur in any electrical device in which energy is high enough to sustain an arc. The heat exposure due to an electrical arc can produce first-degree burns, permanent blindness, or even death.

In an effort to reduce the extent of potential injuries NFPA-70E specifies boundaries within which flash protection (PPE) is required.

The National Safety Council estimates that an average of more than one fatality a day occurs while working around electrical equipment. Of these fatalities, more than half occurred while working on energized equipment rated 600 volts or below. In addition, five to ten electrical “arc flashes” occur in the workplace everyday. The medical costs for an individually exposed to an electrical arc flash is around $12 to $20 million.

Employers need to include both shock and arc hazard identification in their safety programs.

When working on electrical apparatus (switchgear, panelboards, motor control centers, etc.) the incident energy or available fault current to produce an arc flash needs to be clearly identified on each respective enclosure or piece of electrical equipment. As a part of that label, when employees must work within the flash protection boundary, it is important to include the incident energy. Producing a Flash Hazard Analysis can do this.

Does OSHA recognize the NFPA 70E? Absolutely. OSHA has recently updated their electrical standards to reflect the latest in both the NEC and NFPA 70E standard. OSHA will cite companies for non-compliance with 29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i) which requires the use of protective equipment when working where a potential hazard exists and 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1) which requires the employer to provide an assessment of the workplace for hazards and the need for personal protective equipment.

OSHA also utilizes the “General Duty Clause” which states, "each employer shall furnish to each of its employees a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm."

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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.

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Arc Flash Evolution

An article titled "Arc Flash Evolution" was included in the December issue of Control Engineering magazine.

"It seemed safe enough. The industrial electricians were just going to take a few measurements prior to starting the job. Everything was energized, but that should have been OK, because the electricians were going to be a safe distance away."

"They were. The metal tip of their wooden yardstick wasn't. The resulting arc appeared and vanished in less than a second, sticking around long enough to catch clothes on fire. The unlucky electricians joined the estimated hundreds of arc-flash injuries a year that require hospitalization. Their co-worker standing 10 feet away became one of the thousands who annually suffer injuries that don't require a hospital stay."

The article goes on to discuss arc flash warning labels, bolted vs. arcing faults and tripping devices used to limit the severity of arc flash. At the end of the article it refers to a video of a one hour arc flash webinar called "Arc Flash Hazard: Understanding Safe Electrical Work Practices, Standards and Regulations". The video can be viewed after going through a short registration process. Although I was not able to view the video, as I got a blank screen after registering. This may be the result of the network security we have in place. However, the article on its own is worth reading.

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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Compliance Takes More Than A Label

An article by Chet Davis, originally published in the November 2005 issue of Plant Engineering Magazine, was republished by Facility Safety Management magazine this month (January 2008). It is called, Compliance Takes More Than A Label. Over two years have passed and the message is still relevant. A key point made by the article is:

"The current arc-flash phenomenon appears to be operating on fear rather than principle. The fear is massive lawsuits and OSHA fines if an accident does occur rather than a sound reasoning as to why a safety culture makes good business sense in daily operations. While it may have taken some fear in the initial movement to motivate companies toward implementing safety standards, if the safety aspect of arcflash is limited to labeling and PPE requirements, the inclination will soon wear off."

From what I've observed, the "inclination" in many cases has not yet worn off. Putting the safety of people first should always be the goal. Safety does not end with applying a warning label. Proper labeling is a critical, and important first step, but establishing an ingrained safety culture is key.

For example, many of the arc flash labels I've seen just list the arc flash boundaries... and they run it all together in a paragraph of text in the center of the label. The information is inadequate and the presentation is unreadable. For a label to be effective it must have complete information, presented in an easy-to-read format. In addition to boundary information an arc flash label should clearly show the required PPE.

The Graphic Product's Arc Flash Labeling Best Practices points out another piece of important information that should be on the label:

"Although labeling is important, the best way to prevent electrical injuries is to de-energize the equipment and use LOTO. Identifying the available upstream lockable point on the label helps enforce LOTO. By Identifying the first disconnect feeding the equipment, LOTO is reinforced and workers are reminded to use LOTO procedures."

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

New Arc Flash Labeling Best Pactices Guide Available Free

A new best practices labeling guide from Graphic Products provides a concise summary of arc flash labeling requirements. Starting with a facility inspection, the guide provides a comprehensive description of what is needed to ensure there is proper arc flash labeling throughout a facility.

The following is the Table of Contents for this best practices guide:

  • Required Tools
  • Definitions
    ....What is Arc Flash?
    ....Definitions of Terms
  • Evaluation - Facility Inspection
  • Label Creation
    ....What Information Should Be Included On An Arc Flash Label?
    ....Needed Equipment and Supplies
    ....Label Creation Steps
    ....Label Creation Using Die-Cut Labels
    ....Label Creation Using Continuous Vinyl
  • Label Placement
    ....Locations Where Labels Should Be Placed
    ....Removing Old Labels
  • Label Maintenance
  • One Page Arc Flash Hazard Labeling Guide
The Arc Flash Best Practices Guide may be downloaded free.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2007

NEC Digest Survey - Field Marking Electrical Equipment for Arc Flash Hazards

The NEC Digest has published the results of a survey they conducted earlier this year. An article, in the August issue of NEC Digest states:

"The requirement for field-marking elec­trical equipment to warn of potential arc flash hazards was first added to the National Electrical Code (NEC) in 2002. We at necdigest wanted to know where, in your jobs, you see these warning labels applied, what information they contain, and how you determine arc flash energy levels for your facilities. So we sent out an email survey, and here’s what you told us."

It was surprising to see that the survey found only 14% of equipment installed before 2002 had arc flash warning labels, and only 52% of the equipment installed in 2002 and later had arc flash labels.

You can read the summary of the survey on the NEC Digest web site.

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Friday, March 23, 2007

Regulations for Protecting Workers From Arc Flash Hazards

The Ferraz Shawmut web site has a one page summary of arc flash codes and standards. It covers OSHA, NFPA and IEEE, as well as the Canadian standards.

It is available at: http://us.ferrazshawmut.com/arcflash/arc_background/regulations.cfm

However, this page does not talk about what OSHA requires as far as arc flash hazards. OSHA references NFPA 70E for arc flash hazards. (Also know as the NEC -- National Electric Code.) This means that arc flash labels are required on equipment that has 50v or higher. However, NFPA 70E does not specify what information should be included on labels.

What information should be included on arc flash labels?

Sufficient information to warn and protect people from the hazard. Injuries resulting from arc flash can be very serious and you'll want to do all you can to protect your employees, contractors, vendors and others. To do this arc flash labels should clearly show the required PPE, the various flash boundaries, and the energy level at 18 inches. The same label should also provide shock hazard information.

As the Ferraz Shawmut web page states, the first and best line of prevention is to de-energize the equipment. The arc flash label should identify the first upstream device than can be used to de-energize the equipment.

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Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Field Marking of Arc Flash Hazards

I ran across a paper, published by Underwriter Laboratories, about arc flash and arc flash labeling. It is from 2002, but the information it contains is still relevant.

As with most arc flash articles and paper it provides a description of arc flash. The next section is fairly good for the layman, giving a simplified explanation of arc flash boundaries and how they are determined.

It then goes on to talk about NEC Section 110.16, which covers arc flash labeling. The paper states that the 2002 requirements dealing with arc flash hazards: "requires field marking for switchboards, panel boards, industrial control panels and motor control centers. The marking is intended to warn qualified persons of flash hazards where the equipment is likely to be examined, adjusted, serviced or maintained while energized."

"The marking must be located on the equipment in such a manner as to be clearly visible to qualified personnel before they commence work on the equipment. Make sure this field marking is applied in a very visible location so when you work on electrical equipment while energized, you are very aware of the hazards involved. Take the necessary safety steps to ensure that no one suffers serious burns or injuries."

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Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Field Marking of Arc Flash Hazards

The following is from a technical paper titled "Field Marking of Arc Flash Hazards - Avoid Workers' Injuries & Equipment Damage."

Published by the Resource Center, National Electrical Code, this paper was written by Mark Ode, a staff engineering associate at Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. It provides a lot of information about arc flash safety, and in particular points out that arc flash labeling is important.

As it is coming to a conclusion, the paper states the following concerning arc flash labeling:

"Section 110.16, covering flash protection marking, has been added to the 2002 NEC. It provides a link to NFPA 70E and OSHA for requirements dealing with arc flash hazards. It requires field marking for switchboards, panel boards, industrial control panels and motor control centers. The marking is intended to warn qualified persons of flash hazards where the equipment is likely to be examined, adjusted, serviced or maintained while energized. The marking must be located on the equipment in such a manner as to be clearly visible to qualified personnel before they commence work on the equipment."

"Make sure this field marking is applied in a very visible location so when you work on electrical equipment while energized, you are very aware of the hazards involved. Take the necessary safety steps to ensure that no one suffers serious burns or injuries."

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Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Arc Flash Labeling Starter Kit

Get everything you need to get started on your arc flash labeling with the DuraLabel Arc Flash Labeling Starter Kit.

The Arc Flash Labeling Starter kit includes the DuraLabel printer, a 300 dpi thermal transfer label printer that creates durable, industrial quality labels and signs. The kit also includes both Warning and Danger die-cut labels, and rolls of continuous vinyl in the three colors commonly used for making arc flash labels. You also get a standard industrial ribbon and a chemical resistant ribbon for use in making labels used in harsh environments.

PLUS! You get a free copy of the NFPA 70E code book. This is the NFPA code that covers arc flash safety. The code book costs $40.00 if purchased from NFPA, but it is yours FREE with your purchase of the DuraLabel Arc Flash Labeling Starter Kit.

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Friday, September 01, 2006

Arc Flash Labeling Standards At The JLab

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) has published their standards for arc flash and electrical hazard labeling on their web site. These may be useful to others who are working to create their own standards.

JLab Arc Flash and Electrical Hazard Labeling Standards

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Thursday, August 24, 2006

NFPA 70E - More Than Labels and PPE

We are a labeling machine company, so of course labeling is important to us. And labeling is a key component of NFPA 70E and arc flash safety. It's important not because we are a labeling machine company, but for safety. Labels and signs communicate information about arc flash hazards, and required protection, at the point of need. But there is more to arc flash safety than labeling and PPE.

An article by Chet Davis in Plant Engineering magazine points out that employees must also understand the reason why the arc flash label is there. The article quotes Gary McGuire, a safety manager for a large pulp and paper mill in the Northwest who says, "'Safety must be operated by principle, not practice.' He stresses the 'why' of safety, not just the dos and don'ts of a task. This knowledge gives people confronted with something out of the ordinary the background to understand the potential dangers, enabling them to make safe choices. Safety is a culture that must be ingrained with principle. This culture starts from management and filters down to the worker where ultimate responsibility rests."

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