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May is Electrical Safety Month: Know How to Protect Workers from Electrical Hazards
May 20, 2016
Many electrical hazards exist in a workplace where workers are performing electrical-related tasks. One of those hazards is an arc flash.
An arc flash, as defined by the Workplace Safety Awareness Council is “a phenomenon where a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another, or to ground.” A person located near an arc flash can be seriously injured or killed.
An arc flash can be caused by a variety of things, such as dust, dropping tools, accidental touching, condensation, material failure, corrosion, and faulty installation.
To protect workers, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) developed approach boundaries to be used by workers on or near energized equipment. They include:
Limited Approach Boundary: The minimum distance from an energized source where an unqualified person can stand. A qualified person who can enter that space is wearing proper PPE and been properly trained.
Restricted Approach Boundary: A shock protection boundary that can only be crossed by a qualified person who has been properly trained and is wearing proper PPE.
Prohibited Approach Boundary: A shock protection boundary that can only be crossed by a qualified person wearing PPE and been trained to work on energized conductors or components. Workers also must have a documented plan to perform the work before crossing this boundary.
Arc Flash Boundary: A safe approach distance from energized equipment or parts.
Some general ways in which you can protect workers from electrical hazards on the job are:
- De-energize the circuit
- Work practices
- Insulation
- Guarding
- Barricades
- Ground Fault Interrupters (GFCI)
- Grounding (secondary protection)
For more tips on how to prevent electrical accidents on the job, click here.
Company: Seton
Of: Marji McClure
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