Arc Flash Risk Assessment the first step in compliance…
Providing a safe and compliant workplace based on OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements may seem like a daunting task. With Macron Safety it doesn’t have to be.
An Arc Flash Risk Assessment by Macron Safety will provide you with the tools and resources you”ll need to complete a comprehensive Electrical Safety Program.
Why get an assessment in the first place? Simply put, it’s the law. OSHA 1910.132(d) states employers must “assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present.” If you haven’t completed an assessment you do not have an OSHA compliant workplace.
The 2015 NFPA 70E is the “how to” in implementing Electrical Safety in the workplace. Article 130.5 requires that an arc flash hazard analysis calculation be performed, with the only exception being the use of the 70E tables-if you meet the parameters.
Macron Safety utilizes these tables to complete your assessment.
Macron Safety Arc Flash Risk Assessment utilizing the tables include:
- Evaluating equipment characteristics, based on the 2015 NFPA 70E tables in Article 130.7.
- Consultation and recommendations for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Arc Flash Equipment Labeling.
- Detailed Assessment Report with potential compliance issues and corrective action.
OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.132 The law and why you need this assessment
The OSHA Regulations are very clear with regard to who is responsible for what in the safety world. You, the employer, have specific responsibilities for providing a safe work environment.
General Duty Clause 29 U.S.C. 654, 5(a)1: “Each employer shall furnish to each of his 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 his employees.”
Every job site has potential hazards, some more than others. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide a working environment that is free from recognized hazards. This is an OSHA requirement.
An Arc Flash Assessment from Macron Safety is the means by which you can provide the safe work environment your employees need. There are many regulations pertaining to electrical safety that must be adhered to while on the job site.
OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.132 is a general requirement encompassing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Contained within this regulation is the directive to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of PPE 1910.132(d)(1).
The results of the assessment will give you the information necessary to: select the type of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment (1910.132 (d)(1) (i), communicate these decisions to the employee (1910.132(d)(1)(ii) and select PPE that properly fits (1910.132)(d)(1)(iii).
We need electrical safety to protect our workers and keep them safe on the job, first and foremost. Secondly, businesses must also comply with the law. How safe is your working environment? Your assessment will let you know.
Your assessment will need to be documented (1910.132(d)(2) and employees trained so they will know when PPE is necessary and what PPE is necessary, how to properly wear, what the limitations of the PPE is and it’s proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal (1910.132)(f)(1) (i-v).
The knowledge gained in your assessment and subsequent training and consultation will be an invaluable asset to the compliance and safety of your work place. Macron Safety will be with you every step of the way.
2015 NFPA 70E The details of your Assessment
The OSHA regulations above give you the ‘what’ of the Arc Flash Risk Assessment. The 2015 NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace gives you the ‘how’. To achieve an Effective Electrical Safety Program you will need an Arc Flash Risk Assessment.
Article 110.1(G) is the “Risk Assessment Procedure. An electrical safety program shall include a risk assessment procedure that addresses employee exposure to electrical hazards. The procedure shall identify the process to be used by the employee before work is started to carry out the following: (1) Identify Hazards, (2) Assess risks, (3) Implement risk control according to a hierarchy of methods-this will mean PPE.”
Our procedure for assessing your facility follows the guidelines set by the NFPA 70E and will give your the results needed to have a safe and compliant work place.
Our process for completing your assessment is as follows:
Data Collection
- The entire facility will be walked, every building and out building. Access to every part of the facility is crucial and can be with an escort, if required. Nothing will need to be shut down.
- Bar code or other identification labels will be affixed during the collection of electrical characteristics of the equipment.
- Any and all compliance issues will be noted and pictures will be taken throughout the facility. (The pictures will only be used in the assessment report and will not be used for any public information. Once the pictures are added to the assessment report they can certainly be deleted from any files that Macron Safety has, if required to do so.)
Risk Assessment and Calculations
- Based on the information gathered during the Data Collection process, Arc Flash Hazard Risk will be determined based on the Arc Flash Categories in the 2015 NFPA 70E Tables in Article 130.
- Arc Flash Calculations, based on the IEEE Standard 1584 will be performed to provide accurate Arc Flash Clothing recommendations for compliant Arc Flash Rated PPE.
- Arc Flash Warning Labels will be generated based on the four Arc Flash Risk Categories. Any piece of equipment out of the Arc Flash Category 4, 40cal/cm2, will be labeled as Dangerous and NO LIVE WORK.
- The Arc Flash Risk Assessment Report will be generated for presentation.
Label Application, Arc Rated Clothing Recommendations, Report Presentation and Training*
- The entire facility will need to be made available once again for Arc Flash Warning Label application.
- Presentation Meeting for the Arc Flash Risk Assessment report. We will discuss the report including all potential compliance issues and the corrective action needed for each possible infraction.
- Arc Rated Clothing Recommendations will be given at this time including a thorough discussion of style, type and fit.
- ARC FLASH/NFPA 70E training of all pertinent employees will need to take place during this time as well. Specific reference can be given to actual hazards present and the specific protective clothing that will need to be employed to work on any live equipment.
*Training is a value added service that can be bundled with your assessment package. Although training proves to be most effective after the assessment has be completed, we can perform the training for employees an anytime during the process.
At the end of this process you will be in compliance to all of the OSHA regulations and NFPA 70E recommendations for Arc Flash Risk Assessments for a period of five years.
The Arc Flash/NFPA 70E Training will provide compliance to all of the OSHA and NFPA Electrical Safety Training requirements for a period of three years.
Once PPE is purchased, based on the recommendations of the data collected during the assessment, you will also be in compliance with the OSHA regulation to provide PPE.
Fulfilling this OSHA and NFPA 70E requirement is part of a comprehensive Electrical Safety policy. Standard Operating Procedures, if they have not already been developed and put into effect, will need to be developed based on OSHA regulations and current NFPA 70E recommendation. Macron Safety will be happy to assist in that process as part of the overall project.
Train with Masters Your safety is our mission
Arc Flash/NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training is an integral part of any comprehensive Electrical Safety Program. Our NFPA Qualified trainers can work with you to compliment your assessment and fulfill your training requirements.
We’ll make sure that every employee, who may have exposure to electrical hazards, understands the potential for injury and how to avoid those hazards and work safely. Upon completion of this course, your personnel will be able to:
- Understand the NFPA 70E and OSHA requirements
- Recognize electrical safety hazards and how to protect against Arc Flash and Shock
- Identify the components of an effective Electrical Safety Program
- Interpret an Arc Flash Risk Assessment
- Define the Arc Flash PPE Categories and their associated Energy Levels
- Learn the required clothing and PPE to match the category requirements
- Understand what the employer and employee responsibilities are in implementing an effective electrical safety program
For more information or details about the training we offer, please let us know. Compliment your Assessment perfectly!