Arc Flash Protection Solutions

Another report published in the Industrial Safety and Hygiene News suggested that, on an average, there are 30,000 arc flash incidents occurring every year. As per the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), the number of electrical fatalities reported in 2016 has seen a 15% increase from 2015.

The NFPA 70E constitutes protection guidelines for all forms of electric shocks, Arc-flash and blasts in industrial settings. The NFPA 70E stresses on use of four simple rules:

• Turning the Power Off, Live Work Permit, Planning, and PPEs.
• Turning the Power Off is cutting power at the source for an Arc-flash.
  Permit to work Live is basically the acknowledgment part, to keep all parties aware of the risks.
• Planning incorporates Escape and Rescue plans, and devising ways for damage control.
• Use of PPEs, or the Personal Protective Equipment, which is always the standard in all electrical and non-electrical industrial works where risks are involved.

Barsha addresses the issue of potential risks associated with hazards from the electric arc flash solutions and suggests various safety solutions to ensure protection. Along with personal protective equipment, training for workers, tools for safe working and warning labels on equipment are also advised. Electrical safety standards associated with arcing faults and associated arc blasts are improved by proper implementation of the best practices and safety protocols to create highly resistant and effective solutions for the safety of workers.

Barsha offers many methods of protecting workers from arc flash hazards and other electrical hazards. This includes wearing arc flash personal protective equipment (PPE) or working on the modification of the design and configuration of electrical equipment. The most ideal way to remove any hazard related to an arc flash is to de-energise the equipment when interacting with it. The different PPE offered by Barsha include suits, hoods, boots, gloves and helmets that enable reducing both severity and frequency of incidents. Barsha also offers solutions like Working with Electricity equipment, Electrical Rescue Kit, insulated tools, insulating mats, etc. for making the working environment safer.