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Arc Flash: Electrical Safety in the Workplace

sm. Arc Flash: Electrical Safety in the Workplace. CCIA Safety Committee SAFETY ROUNDTABLE April 10, 2012. Overview. What’s PowerHawke? What is Arc Flash? Why does it matter? How does it intersect the construction industry? Questions. Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee.

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Arc Flash: Electrical Safety in the Workplace

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  1. sm Arc Flash: Electrical Safety in the Workplace CCIA Safety Committee SAFETY ROUNDTABLE April 10, 2012

  2. Overview • What’s PowerHawke? • What is Arc Flash? • Why does it matter? • How does it intersect the construction industry? • Questions Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  3. What is PowerHawke? • Bushnell Management • The Hartford • Tilcon, CT • Mohegan Sun • OFS Photonics • Pepperidge Farm • Winstanley Enterprises • United Rentals A branded solution of engineering and preventive electrical services Typical Offerings Include: Infrared and visual inspections/analysis Generator load and transfer switch testing UPS testing and battery maintenance NPFA 70E arc flash hazard analysis / arc flash training Facility critical power safety audit De-energized maintenance of critical power components De-energized NFPA/NETA recommended breaker testing Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  4. Electric Safety ‘101’ • Three major hazardsof electricity, which are: 1) electrical shock, 2) electrical arc-flash and 3) electrical arc-blast. • A Qualified Personis defined as: “One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.” • The safest wayto work on electrical equipment and circuits is to de-energize, lock, and tag them. Energized work is to be performed only as a last resort, when it is infeasible to de-energize. Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  5. What is Arc Flash? • OSHA/MSHA • Standards 29-CFR, Part 1910, sub part S (electrical) Standard number 1910.333 • NFPA 70E • Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace 2012 • IEEE 1564 • Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations An arc flash is a dangerous condition associated with the possible release of energy caused by an electric arc. “Arc Flash” Generally Covers: Electric Shock Arc Flash Arc Blast Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  6. What’s Required? Arc Flash Hazard Analysis An analysis investigating a worker’s potential exposure to arc flash energy. Each analysis generally includes: System data collection One-line model & Analysis Report & labeling Each analysis generally covers: Safe work practices Shock & Arc flash boundaries Proper PPE levels Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  7. Why does it matter? The genie is (coming) out! Injury Prevention Safe work environment Reduced insurance rates It’s the law Negligent Disregard I don’t know what I don’t know Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  8. Why does it matter? The associated human suffering is unconscionable AND mostly avoidable • Donnie’s Accident Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  9. Why does it matter? OSHA • 13 incidents and $1.6M since the beginning of 2012 • Violations can carry penalties of up to $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for companies Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) • assessed $135,000 in fines against a contractor at the Cemex Balcones cement plant in Comal County, Texas. • "The contractor should have made certain the power was de-energized before testing the circuit." Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  10. How Does This Effect You? • Modification to current operating practices? • Do you allow employees and contractors to work on live electrical equipment? Procedure? • Lock out/Tag out procedures • Change to training requirements? • Identify who is a ‘qualified person’ and who is an ‘unqualified person’ • Change to site contractor requirements? • Are your contractors trained AND following procedure? • Proactive or reactive? • Are you getting out ahead or will you be pulled kicking and screaming? As a facility owner, you are responsible for safety of ALL workers on site and cannot pass off the liability by hiring contractors. If you own facilities such as: Quarries Concrete Plants Asphalt Plants Sand Plants Garages Offices Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  11. Tilcon, Inc. as an Example Analysis Site Survey Model Mitigate Label Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  12. The rest of the construction industry? • Electrical Workers • Can the work be done de-energized? • Threshold is ‘creating a greater (safety) hazard’ – not inconvenience or cost • Decision making in the absence of an incident energy calculation • Non-electrical workers • If they are not trained, they should certainly not be inside energized electrical gear • If energized electrical work is being performed, they should be out of the ‘approach boundaries’ As a subcontractor, owners are beginning to require specific details related to PPE and Arc Flash. Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  13. Conclusions The Key Question: Can it be done de-energized? It’s important . . . . . personnel, $, liability It’s coming . . . . . proactively or reactively Beware . . . . . know what your buying You’re responsible . . . . . for everyone on site We can help . . . . . protect what matters! Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

  14. Questions? “Knowledge without confidence is fear; Confidence without knowledge is folly.” Mike BalinskasDirector, Business Developmentmikeb@powerhawke.com860.677.9797 x 360203.623.3804 (cell) • CCIA Safety Committee • SAFETY ROUNDTABLE • April 10, 2012 Preventive Electrical Maintenance from McPhee

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