Electrical hazards such as arc flash can be extremely damaging to equipment and, more importantly, to people. A disturbing number of electrically related accidents occur every year. On many occasions, they result in serious third-degree burns or sometimes even death.
Fortunately, there have been significant advances in the electrical industry to help prevent electrical hazards, particularly arc flash, as well as an increased range of fire-resistant clothing and arc flash clothing available.
What is Arc Flash?
Arc flash is an electrical explosion caused by an arcing fault. In other words, an arc flash is where an electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another, or to the ground. This electrical explosion results in a thermal, pressure and sound wave that can cause extensive equipment damage, as well as severe injury and death to a person in its path.
What Causes Arc Flash Hazards?
Arc flash hazards are caused by electrical short circuits. A few examples are below.
- Accidental contact with energized parts
- Tracking across insulation surfaces
- Tools dropped on energized parts
- Wiring errors
- Contamination (e.g., dust on insulating surfaces)
- Improper work procedures
Three factors determine the severity of an arc flash injury:
- Proximity of the worker to the hazard
- Temperature
- Time for the circuit to break
Arc flash injuries are serious – and can even result in death. Even if the incident doesn’t prove fatal, the devastating impact of the burns can mean an injured employee never regains their past quality of life.
Common Results from an Arc Flash
- Burns (Non-FR clothing can burn onto the skin)
- Fire (could spread rapidly through a building)
- Flying objects (often molten metal)
- Sound Blast (noise can reach 140 dB – as loud as a gun)
- Heat (upwards of 19,426 degrees C)
How to prevent Arc flash?
Aside from isolating the power supply, eliminating the arc flash hazard is very difficult, but there are measures you can take to reduce the possibility and severity of hazards, such as:
- De-energise electrical equipment
- Wear suitable fire-resistant clothing
- Keep at a safe distance
- Reduce the energy output from an incident
- Carry out a risk assessment
- Train on-site workers to control risks and interrupt faults
The Employees Obligation
Employees must follow the requirements of the Arc Flash Hazard label by wearing flame-resistant clothing, using insulated tools and other safety precautions. This includes not working on or near the circuit unless you are a “qualified” worker.
Southland can help – should you require arc flash clothing or advice on the type of clothing and protection available please do not hesitate to contact us at 1800 77 22 91 or browse our website at https://www.southland.com.au/