Electrical risks such as arc flash are prevalent in many industries and in this article we will discuss more about them. These are risks that employees are faced with in their workplaces and which may cause people either severe injuries or death; and it is the responsibility of employers to protect these employees. These risks, as well as many others form the basis of the NFPA 70E, a set of guidelines developed by the National Fire Protection Association for electrical safety in workplaces.
Electrical equipment where an arc flash could occur should be labeled with specific safety information according to NFPA 70E, one of the key elements of the standards of arc flash labeling. These labels include important information which enable employees to evaluate risks before, for instance, accessing energized equipment.
Learning About NFPA 70E Arc Flash Label Requirements and Its Importance to Electrical Safety
NFPA 70E is a standard that was developed with the purpose of explaining the nature of the hazards in electrical work to all individuals (both employers and employees), with the aim of minimizing exposure to them. Among them compass safety rules concerning the use of personal protective gear, practical instructions and methods for risk assessment, etc. A significant part of NFPA 70E is also the necessity of using arc flash labels on the electrical equipment – it contains information important for anyone working with the machinery.
See also: When Do You Know Your Commercial Roofs Need a Fix by Experts?
Key Elements of NFPA 70E Arc Flash Labels
As per the NFPA 70E arc flash label requirements, the required details on the label include:
a. Nominal System Voltage
This shows the power supply voltage of the equipment, which makes the workers understand the levels of electrical contacts.
b. Arc Flash Boundary
This is the safe distance an employee must stand to minimize injury from the effects of an arc flash, for each piece of equipment.
c. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Category
ARC flash risk for the particular equipment informs employees of the type of protective personal equipment that may be required.
Improving the Safety of the Workforce Through Better Risk Description
It is crucial to always explain hazards in any workplace, especially when working with electricity. The NFPA 70E arc flash labels are formulated to provide a clear, shaped signal of the intrinsic characteristics of the hazard, thus a worker is not required to undergo elaborate training to know the risks confronting him or her. This labeling is particularly useful in settings in which employees are frequently replaced or those who may take a long time before they become conversant with the various equipment to be used. The use of standardized labels reduces chances of in-experienced employees to be exposed to the hazards in the facility.
Reduction of risk of injury with safe work practices
Arc flash can cause severe burn injuries or even fatalities, that is why proper measures must be taken when performing work around charged equipment. NFPA 70E arc flash label requirements help employers to enforce better safety practices. They help to remind about dangerous practices and indicate that working with sources of high voltage is a dangerous activity that requires necessary caution.
