Arc Flash, The NFPA 70E Standard and Your Electrical ...

Arc Flash, The NFPA 70E Standard and Your Electrical Maintenance. ARE YOU PREPARED?

Tuesday, June 14, 2016 - 8:30am-9:45am, Clark, Lower Level

Presented by: Joe Schommer, Senior Accounts Manager, RESA Power

Jake Jacobson, Facilities Program Manager, Facilities Construction & Management, Utah Administrative Services The world of electrical hazards, protection and accident prevention can be a confusing place. Hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries can be avoided each year by following the NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Be prepared by arming yourself with the knowledge of the types of electrical hazards and the effects of electrical shock from a 20-year electrical maintenance industry veteran. This session will identify the need for electrical safety as well as electrical maintenance and safety programs. Attendees will learn about arc flash hazard risk assessment, personal protective equipment (PPE) and shock and arc flash approach boundaries. Reduce your liability concerns while establishing a culture of safe work practices among employees after attending this session. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS JOE SCHOMMER has been involved in the electrical maintenance and testing industry for over 20 years. Starting as a field service technician and progressing through the disciplines, Joe has experienced the importance of maintenance and acceptance testing and how these practices improve reliability and ultimately safety within your electrical distribution system. Joe brings practical application experience for improving the safety of your facility by adhering to NETA and the NFPA 70E guidelines, merging electrical safety with electrical maintenance. JAKE JACOBSON is a Facilities Operations and Maintenance Program Manager for the State of Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management. He has been in this position for 13 years and worked his way through the organization in several different roles. The Division Operates and maintains properties throughout Utah, Jake's role is to administer this program and insure the safety of the tenants and the 130 plus employees employed by DFCM throughout the state His back ground prior to working for the State was as an Electrical and Mechanical Contractor working in a variety of different areas Including commercial and Industrial processing. He has been a Master Electrician in the State of Utah for 26 years and has been involved with a variety of types and needs for Electrical work.

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Arc Flash, The NFPA 70E Standard and Your Electrical Maintenance. ARE YOU PREPARED? Tuesday, June 14, 2016 ♦ 8:30am – 9:45am

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Parts of 70E have been around since 1979/1981. OSHA actually adopted new regulations on safe electrical work practices in 1990 based on 70E. However, the reason we’re just now talking about 70E is because the NEC

(National Electrical Code) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) have both started referring to

it in their documents, and citations are now being written on 70E.

In September 1999 a major U.S. corporation experienced an electrical accident that resulted in serious burn injuries to an electrical apprentice

employee. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) investigated the accident and issued a number of citations. The employer challenged the citations and the disagreement ended up before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

As a part of the citation OSHA contended that the employer violated a federal regulation because it did not provide or require that its electricians wear appropriate flame‐resistant or retardant personal protection, specifically, flame‐resistant coveralls and insulated gloves.

OSHA also contended that the employer violated a regulation when I did not provide or require that its electricians wear appropriate

face protection.


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In the settlement the employer agreed to develop hazard analyses in accordance with the personal protective

equipment provisions contained in NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 70E. OSHA agreed that given the present state of its standards and regulations, the hazard

analyses would achieve compliance with their requirements.

OSHA has not adopted NFPA 70E, and does not mandate 70E compliance, yet you can be cited for non‐compliance!!

In 29 CFR 1910.2(g) a National Consensus Standard is defined as a standard that is developed by the same persons it affects and then is adopted by a nationally

recognized organization.

Some examples of organizations that publishnational consensus standards include:

NFPA, ASTM and ANSI

Before attempting to address the questions concerning compliance, it is important to understand what is the

“General Duty Clause” ‐

Section 5.(a)(1) within the ACT: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

5. Duties(a) Each employer

(1) Shall furnish to each of his employees and place of employment which are free from recognizedhazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees;


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Section 5(a)(1) has become known as“The General Duty Clause”.

It is a catch all for citations if OSHA identifies unsafe conditions to which a regulation does not exist. In practice, OSHA, court precedent, and the review commission have established that if the following elements are present, a “general

duty clause” citation may be issued.

1) The employers failed to keep the workplace free of a hazard to which employees of that Employer were exposed.

2) The hazard was recognized. (Examples might include: through your safety personnel, employees, organization, trade organization or industry customs).

3) The hazard was causing or was likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

4) There was a feasible and useful method to correct the hazard.


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Percent

Of

Workforce

Years of experience

Percent

Hours into shift

A greater

proportion ofinjuries occurred

six or more hours

into shift(32%)


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Electrical ShockElectrocution Internal and external burns

Arc FlashPotentially severe external burns

Arc BlastPressure and sound waves Shrapnel (in excess of 700 MPH)

Electrocution is the FOURTH highest cause of industrial fatalities

The National Safety council estimates 1000 fatalities each year are due to electrocution, more than half of them while servicing energized systems of less than 600 volts

Over 30,000 non‐fatal electrical shock accidents occur each year

Most of the deaths and injuries that occurred could have been avoided

WARNING LABELProvidesBoundaryinformation

RestrictedLimited

Restricted

Limited

Flash Boundary


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Nominal System Voltage(Phase to Phase) 50 V ‐150 V 151 V – 750

V751V ‐15kV

15.1kV‐36kV

36.1kV‐46kV

LimitedApproachBoundaryDistance

(L)

From aMoveableConductor

3 m (10 ft 0 in.)

3 m (10 ft 0 in.)

3 m (10 ft 0 in.)

3 m (10 ft 0 in.)

3 m (10 ft 0 in.)

From aFixed

Conductor

1 m(3 ft. 6 in.)

1 m(3 ft. 6 in.)

1.5 m(5 ft. 0 in.)

1.8 m(6 ft. 0 in.)

2.5 m(8 ft. 0 in.)

Unqualified individual(s) shall be advised by the qualified person of the electrical hazard and warned to stay outside the

limited approach boundary

An approach limit at a distance from an exposed energized electrical conductor or circuit part within which a shock hazard exists.

To cross the Limited Approach Boundary and enter the limited space a person should meet the following criteria:

1. Be “Qualified” to perform the job/task. 2. Be able to identify the hazards and associated risks

with the tasks to be performed.

An Approach limit at a distance from an exposed live part within which there is increased risk of

shock due of electrical arc‐over

Nominal System Voltage(Phase to Phase) 50 V-150V 151 V -

750 V751 V -15kV

15.1kV -36kV

36.1 kV -46kV

Includes InadvertentMovement Adder Avoid

Contact.3 m

(1 ft. 0 in.).7 m

(2 ft. 2 in.).8 m

(2 ft. 7 in.).8 m

(2 ft. 9 in.)


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An approach limit at a distance from an exposed energized electrical conductor or circuit part, within which there is an increased risk of shock due to electrical arc over combined with inadvertent movement, for personnel working in close proximity to the energized electrical conductor or circuit part.

To cross the Restricted Approach Boundary and enter the restricted space, qualified persons should meet the following criteria:

1. Have an energized electrical work permit authorized by management.

2. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) that is rated for the voltage and energy level involved.

3. Minimize the likelihood of bodily contact with exposed energized conductors and circuit parts from inadvertent movement.

4. Use insulated tools.

Pressure Waves

Copper Vapor:Solid to VaporExpands by67,000 times

Molten Metal

Intense Light

Hot Air-Rapid Expansion

35,000 °F

Shrapnel

Sound Waves

One of the hottest things on earth

Size of arc is independent of voltage

Amount of short circuit current available determines size of arc

Responsible for about 75% of all industrial electrical injuries

Arcs on low voltage systems can be just as dangerous as arcs on medium & high voltage systems


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RestrictedLimited

Warning Labelprovides boundary

information.

Flash Boundary

Trained and knowledgeable in the construction and operation of equipment or specific work method

Able to recognize and avoid electrical hazards

May be qualified with respect to certain equipment and methods but unqualified for others.

To work within the

You must be trained to:

Distinguish exposed energized parts from other parts

Determine nominal voltage

Determine approach distances

Determine degree and extent of hazard and PPE required.


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480 Volt System

6‐Cycle Arcing Fault (0.1 sec)

IR

50 cal/cm22000 psf

Shrapnel

165 db

UV

Visible

1000° C

15000° C

>740 mph


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NFPA 70E – 2015 Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

Sets the requirements for Safe Work Practices Establishes the requirements for:

● Shock Hazards Boundaries● Arc Flash Boundaries● Incident Energy● Methods of calculations for Arc Flash ● Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


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● Determines Trip Time for Each Protective Device based on Arcing Fault Current

● Calculates Incident Energy at Working Distance● Calculates Arc Flash Boundary● Determines Required PPE● Is Used to Generate Warning Labels

Based on Maintained Equipment!!(70E-130.5)

Part of the Electrical Safety Program should include:

Article 110 General Requirements for Electrical Safety‐Related Work Practices.– 110.1 Electrical Safety Program

• (B) Maintenance. The electrical safety program shall include elements that consider condition of maintenance of electrical equipment and systems.

Article 205 General Maintenance Requirements.– 205.3 General Maintenance Requirements

• Electrical equipment shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions or industry consensus standards to reduce the risk associated with failure. The equipment owner or the owner’s designated representative shall be responsible for maintenance of the electrical equipment and documentation.

Informational Note:

Common industry practice is to apply test or calibration decals to equipment to indicate the test or calibration date and overall condition of equipment that has been tested and maintained in the field. These decals provide the employee immediate indication of last maintenance date and if the tested

device or system was found acceptable on the date of test. This local information can assist the employee in the assessment of overall electrical

equipment maintenance status.


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Infrared Inspection MCB LVB


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LVB Switch Disconnects


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Liquid Filled Transformer DRY TYPETRANSFORMERS

Arc Flash Situation:

● 20,000‐amp short‐circuit● 480 volts● 3‐inch arch gap● The worker is 18 inches from the arc● With a 5 cycle clearing time for a 3‐phase arc, incident energy is 3.79 cal/cm2 – Category 2


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Due to a sticky mechanism, with a 30 cycle clearing time Incident energy is 38.64 cal/cm2 – Category 4

The worker could be seriously injured because he/she was under protected

Most common cause of opening delay Improper lubrication of circuit breakers

Maintenance is extremely important to an electrical safety program

Arc Rating of FR Clothing and Equipment must match the Arc Flash Exposure Level

Arc Flash Exposure

80 cal/cm2

Arc Rating of Clothing(2 FR Layers)

Arc Rating21cal/cm2


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WHY NOT WEAR CONVENTIONAL WORK CLOTHES?

Everyday fabrics can ignite, burn and meltwhen exposed to an Electric Arc

Cotton, wool, silk are flammable but don’t melt Polyester, Nylon, Polypropylene MELT AND BURN

If everyday fabric does ignite and burn. It can significantlyincrease the extent of a worker’s burn injury.

When ConventionalClothing Ignites…

Clothed areas can beBurned more severelyThan exposed skin


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Items NOT to be Worn:

• Conductive jewelry and clothing such as:

• Watchbands, bracelets, rings, metal earrings, necklaces, metallized aprons

• Clothes with conductive threads

• Metal headgear

• Metal framed safety glasses

ASTM Arc Rated Clothing Labeling:

● Manufacturer & manufacturer tracking code● Care Instructions● Fabric fiber content● Garment size● Meets ASTM F1506 Fire Retardant Standards● Lists ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) in

calories per square centimeter

Step 1: Conduct Arc Flash Risk Assessment

Step 2: Reduce Hazards Where Possible

Step 3: Assess and Categorize PPE Needs

Step 4: Select PPE to Match Arc Flash Risk Assessment

The Arc Hazard is identified, quantified and matched to PPE


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Not all injuries will be prevented

Injuries can be minimized

Quality of life can be preserved

NFPA 70E Definition

Electrically Safe Work Condition. A state in which the conductor or circuit part to be worked on or near has

been disconnected from energized parts, locked/tagged in accordance with established standards, tested to ensure the absence of voltage, and grounded if

determined necessary.

The need for PPE is still present during lock‐out, tag‐out, testing and grounding.


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The Arc Flash Risk Assessment needs to be addressed to reduce injuriesAnd fatalities in the workplace

NFPA 70E is an effective approach for addressing theArc Flash Risk Assessment

PPE labeling can clarify the protection level of FR daily wear usedwith Arc Flash suits

PPE labeling can indicate approaches to reduce the probability of2nd degree burn injury

Workforce involvement and Education are key to launching an FR daily wear & PPE Program for the Arc Flash Risk Assessment

Still Confused?

Here’s the bottom line:

Many OSHA regulations are written in general terms leaving the details up to the employer on how to comply. The employer is

expected to use consensus standards to help in the selection of the best method to achieve compliance with the OSHA regulations.

NFPA 70E is not a Federal regulation, it is a “how to comply” consensus standard for specific OSHA regulations. Compliance with 70E will assure compliance with some OSHA electrical regulations.


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In the event of an injury or death due to an electrical accident, ifOSHA determines that compliance with 70E would have prevented or lessened the injury, OSHA may site the employer under the

“general duty clause” for not using 70E to protect the employee(s). In a 2003 “Standards Interpretation” letter OSHA stated 70E can be

used as evidence of whether the employer acted reasonably.

If you do nothing YOU RISK:

• Fatality/Injury• Treatment cost• Fines• Litigation• Insurance• Perform OSHA mandated analysis

If you wear improper PPE YOU RISK:

• Inadequate or excessive PPE• Fatality/Injury• Treatment cost• Fines• Litigation• Insurance• Perform OSHA mandated analysis


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WHEN PERFORMING THE ANALYSIS:

• Should be performed by a registered professional Engineering Firm

• Issue the analysis report with results

• Professional should make recommendations

• Training

“Safety starts with Awareness”

“Awareness starts with YOU!”


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