Arc Flash Safety Checklist

Transworld, Inc. understands your commitment to following OSHA standards and keeping your employees safe from electrical hazards. We’ve shared a 6 Point Compliance – Arc Flash Safety Checklist that can assist with your arc flash safety program. Following this 6 point checklist will improve your facilities compliance with industry standards and reduce your risk of an arc flash incident.

OSHA’S General Duty Clause: Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires an employer to furnish to its employees: employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees.

6 POINT COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST – ARC FLASH SAFETY CHECKLIST

1. Understand NFPA 70E and have a complete written NFPA 70E Safety Plan

“110.3 Electrical Safety Program. (A) General. The employer shall implement and document an overall electrical safety program that directs activity appropriate for the electrical hazards, voltage, energy level, and circuit conditions.” (1,pp70E-15).

2. Train and Qualify Employees in NFPA 70E Compliance

“Qualified person. One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installation and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.” (1.pp70E-12). “105.3 Responsibility. The employer shall provide the safety-related work practices and shall train the employee, who shall then implement them.” (1.pp70E-14). “110.2 Training Requirements. (E) Training Documentation. The employer shall document that each employee has received the training required by 110.2 (D).” (1.pp70E-14:70E-15).

3. Generate and Post a Facility Electrical One-Line Diagram

“120.1 Process of Achieving an Electrically Safe Work Condition. (1) Determine all possible sources of electrical supply to the specific equipment. Check applicable up-to-date drawing, diagrams, and identification tags.” (1.pp70E-18). “205.2 Single Line Diagram. A single line diagram, where provided for the electrical system, shall be maintained in a legible condition and shall be kept current.” (1.pp70E-44).

4. Perform an Incident Energy Analysis and Apple Labels to Equipment

“130.5 Arc Flash Hazard Analysis. An arc flash hazard analysis shall determine the arc flash boundary, the incident energy at the working distance, and the personal protective equipment that people within the arc flash boundary shall use.” (1.pp70E-26). “130.5 (B) Protective Clothing Other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Application with an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis. (1) Incident Energy Analysis. The incident energy analysis shall determine, and the employer shall document, the incident energy exposure of the worker (in calories per square centimeter).” (1.pp70E-26). “130.5 (C) Equipment Labeling. Electrical equipment such as switchboards, panelboards, Industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor controls centers that are in other than dwelling units, and are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, shall be field marked with a label containing all the following information:

• At least one of the following:

  1. Available incident energy and the corresponding working distance

  2. Minimum arc rating of clothing

  3. Required level of PPE

  4. Highest Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) for the equipment

• Nominal system voltage

• Arc Flash Boundary

“The method of calculating and data to support the information for the label that shall be documented.” (1,pp70-26: 70E-27)

5. Provide the Appropriate PPE, Personal Protective Equipment

“130.7 Personal and Other Protective Equipment. (A) General. Employees working in areas where electrical hazards are present shall be provided with, and shall use, protective equipment that is designed and constructed for the specific part of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.” )1pp,70E-28)

6. Perform Maintenance on Electrical Equipment

“130.5..The arc flash hazard analysis shall take into consideration the design of the overcurrent protective device and its opening time, including its condition of maintenance.” (1.pp70E-26). “Article 205. “205.3 General Maintenance Requirements. Electrical equipment shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions or industry consensus standards to reduce the risk of failure and the subsequent exposure of employees to electrical hazards.” (1.pp70E-44) Overcurrent Protective Devices. Overcurrent protective devices shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions or industry consensus standards. Maintenance, tests, and inspections shall be documented.” (1.pp70-44)

If you need assistance with an arc flash safety program, we offer customizable preventive maintenance solutions that will help protect your facility, employees, and reduce the risk of an arc flash incident.