Arc flash incidents are an extreme occupational hazard, causing severe, life-threatening injuries in an instant. OSHA describes them as some of the most dangerous electrical hazards found in the workplace, but some workers and managers are unaware of how this problem occurs.
Understanding common causes of arc flash incidents is important for taking steps to mitigate this hazard in your workplace. WorkSafe helps employers protect occupational health in Wichita, KS, and explains more about arc flash incidents below.
What Is an Arc Flash Incident?
An arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy due to a short circuit between two energized conductors or between a conductor and the ground. This creates a massive, bomb-like explosion that can cause severe injuries and even death in nearby workers.
Arc flashes are extremely dangerous because they create two distinct, simultaneous hazards. The first is the arc flash itself, which involves intense heat and light. Arc flash temperatures can reach up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit, nearly four times hotter than the surface of the sun. Even several feet away, these temperatures can cause severe, deep-tissue burns and are hot enough to vaporize metal.
The second component is the arc blast, which is a concussive physical force. Metal expands up to 67,000 times its volume when it is vaporized, creating a tremendous pressure wave that is strong enough to throw workers across a room and collapse lungs. It also projects the molten metal shrapnel at a speed of 700 miles per hour.
Understanding Common Causes of Arc Flash Incidents on Worksites
Some reports estimate that as many as 30,000 arc flash incidents happen in the U.S. each year. Workers who interact with energized electrical systems should be highly trained in how arc flashes happen and the steps they need to take to prevent them and protect themselves.
Part of this training should include explaining common causes of arc flash incidents that workers must avoid at all costs. Ultimately, the biggest cause is carelessness; these events rarely happen when all electrical safety standards have been followed precisely.
A few specific causes include:
- Electrical equipment failure: Arc flashes can easily result from equipment failure. However, when equipment is properly maintained and inspected, arc flash risks are minimal. Improper equipment maintenance can lead to degraded connections and corrosion, exposing conductive surfaces.
- Failure to de-energize equipment: Workers need to follow specific electrical safety procedures when working on live equipment. Equipment should always be de-energized before work when the task allows. Arc flashes can occur when workers forget to de-energize equipment before beginning work.
- Pressure to work under tight deadlines: Unfortunately, arc flashes sometimes occur because workers feel pressured by managers to work quickly or meet tight deadlines. Rushing can cause metal tools to slip into live conductors, increase the risk of workers forgetting to de-energize equipment, or even tempt workers to bypass safety boundaries.
- Lack of training: Preventing arc flash incidents requires strict training and adherence to safety protocols. When workers are not trained properly, they may not be fully aware of actions that can cause arc flashes, and even small mistakes can quickly lead to catastrophic injuries.
How To Prevent Arc Flash Injuries in Your Workplace
Understanding common causes of arc flash incidents is a good starting point for preventing them. The tips below can also help you mitigate the risk of arc flashes and injuries.
- De-energize equipment whenever possible: Workers should always de-energize equipment when it is not necessary to work on it live. They should also double-check that equipment is de-energized before beginning work.
- Follow NFPA standards for performing electrical hazard analyses: NFPA 70E requires an electrical hazard analysis in all areas where electrical systems operate at 50 volts or greater. Following these protocols helps ensure that the area is safe before beginning work on electrical conductors.
- Always require workers to wear PPE when crossing the arc flash boundary: Workers should always don the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when they must cross the arc flash boundary, or the minimum safe distance from an exposed electrical conductor.
- Perform arc flash risk assessments regularly: Enlisting professionals to perform regular risk assessments helps you identify new problems with your work practices or equipment that could expose workers to arc flash hazards.
Protect Your Workforce With WorkSafe
At WorkSafe, we help Wichita employers identify common causes of arc flash incidents and mitigate the risks before accidents happen. Whether you need help following PPE requirements for employers or identifying hazards in your workplace, contact WorkSafe today at 316-262-8800 for a free, no-obligation call.