Arc Flash Loss Prevention

White Paper Outlines How to Meet OSHA Arc Flash Requirements

Ever since OSHA mandated that businesses follow NFPA guidelines to protect workers from arc flash explosions, people have asked me how they can meet OSHA requirements and prevent arc flashes at their companies.

In answer to those questions, M.C. Dean, Inc. developed a specific Arc Flash Loss Prevention (AFLP) program which is outlined in  "Establishing an Arc Flash Loss Prevention Program," a new white paper that I helped co-author.

The M.C. Dean, Inc. white paper explains the impact and causes of arc flashes, includes a glossary of key terms, answers frequently asked questions, and explains the six steps for a thorough arc flash loss prevention (AFLP) program. Those six steps are -

1. Discovery and Engineering

2. Identification and Documentation

3. Program Preparation and Administration

4. Program Training and Certification

5. Field Execution and Document Review and

6. Program Review and Update.

A critical point to know is that the key to arc flash loss prevention is that to do it right, you need more than just an arc flash study and outfitting your employees with PPE. You an AFLP program that includes on-going training, a way to monitor that the program is being carried out, up-to-date documentation, and a third party firm you can trust to audit and update the program for sustainability.

If you have a specific question regarding AFLP, send me an email at john.welch@mcdean.com.

Arc Flash Injuries 3 in Canada

The news out of Canada isn't too good. Three employees at Abitibi Bowater's Fort Frances paper mill in Canada were injured in an arc flash accident Wednesday. The injured, two electricians and a pre-apprentice electrical student, were airlifted to hospitals in Toronto and Winnipeg wtih burns to their necks, hands and faces.

The blast occured while the three were performing a maintenance procedure on a paper machine drive.

According to news reports, the Ministry of Labour and Electrical Safety Authority are investigating the accident and an internal investigation at the mill is also underway.

North Carolina Electician Burned in Arc Flash Explosion

It happened again today...another arc flash, another severe injury.

This time an electrician from Ashoskie, N.C. was badly burned in an arc flash explosion while he was changing a breaker at a restaurant in Elizabeth City, N.C.

According to reports, the electric current flashed, setting the worker's clothing on fire. He was rushed immediately to the hospital and was listed in serious condition.

The injured man is reported to be a licensed worker employed by an electrical company that services restaurants in North Carolina. (For details about the accident, read the news report on the DailyAdvance.com.) 

Many questions  need to be asked about an accident such as this, but two come to my mind right away: Did the restaurant follow OSHA guidelines? Was the electrician properly trained on NFPA regulations?

What was needed here was a thorough arc flash loss prevention program, one that included an arc flash analysis, identification of the proper PPE needed and training on what to do and what not to do.