| There are 5-10 serious arc
flash incidents every day in North America. These incidents
result in approximately 2000 workers being treated in burn
centers annually. It is estimated that arc flash incidents
cost organizations hundreds of millions of dollars. In
response to this problem, NFPA (National Fire Protection
Agency) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
have created guidelines for operating around energized
electrical circuits and following proper safety practices.
Updated just this year, NFPA 70E now includes specific
references to thermal imaging and makes a number of important
clarifications on electrical safety. |
© EWB Engineering, LLC |
Introduction
There are many risks associated with the infrared
inspection of electrical equipment. Those risks include not only
shock, but burn injuries from arc blasts. Arc flash accidents
can cause serious burns and in some cases death. The risks
associated with an arc flash were first introduced to the industry
by Ralph Lee in the early 1980’s with his publication of, "The
Other Electrical Hazard: Electric Arc Blast Burns." The
risk of an arc flash occurring is real and statistics show that
there are 5 to 10 serious arc flash incidents everyday in North
America. These incidents result in approximately 2,000 workers
being treated in burn centers annually. Many more workers suffer
less severe injuries resulting in only emergency room treatment.
It is estimated that these incidents cost organizations hundreds
of millions of dollars annually.
Safety standards adopted by the NFPA and OSHA provide
workers with guidelines for reducing risk while inspecting electrical
equipment. At the heart of these guidelines is the NFPA 70E,
which is a standard that outlines electrical safety requirements
that are necessary for safeguarding employees during various
workplace activities, including not only safe practices, but
proper protective equipment based on risk. The 2009 edition of
this standard includes new information intended to further improve
workplace safety.
The Hazards of Electrical Inspection
Electrical inspectors face
many hazards. Hazards can occur from shock, electrocution,
arc flash, arc blast, and more. These dangers are very real.
In fact, every day in the US one person dies from shock, electrocution,
arc flash, and arc blast. Additionally, some 8,000 workers
are treated each year in emergency rooms for electrical contact
injuries.
© Arc
Flash Information Resource Center |
Of these injuries, burns are the most common. Burns
can result from a variety of reasons including electrical burn,
arc burn, or thermal contact burn. Of these, electrical burns
are the most serious in nature and require immediate medical
attention. |
© Electricity Forum |
© Construction Book Express |
Image courtesy of Dolphins Software |
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