Arc flash assessment is an important process to ensure the safety of employees working in hazardous electrical environments.
Even if you have always considered your production to be safe, you cannot be 100% sure that it is fully protected from arc flash. All this can lead to an explosion and, as a result, to serious injuries or even death.
To prevent such incidents, an arc flash risk assessment must be performed.
After reading this article, you will learn am I required to do an arc flash assessment and where you can order arc flash assessment services.
Table of Contents
Arc flash risk assessment requirements
According to the «Electrical Safety Standard in the Workplace» of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 70E, arc flash assessment should be carried out:
- every 5 years, as during this time some equipment could become obsolete or break down;
- before this term, if you have made any modifications to your work.
Am I required to do an arc flash assessment?
Since January 1, 2015 OSHA, requires arc flash risk assessment. You can read this in the 1910.269 standard «Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity».
According to the requirements of this document, in order to protect all employees of your enterprise who may be affected by an electric arc, you as an employer must make a reasonable estimate of the incoming thermal energy that your personnel will be exposed to.
Nor should you ignore Bill C-45, which is an amendment to Canada’s Criminal Code. It reads as follows: «Everyone who undertakes or has the authority to direct how another person does work or performs a task is under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that person, or any other person, arising from that work».
Methods to accomplish the arc flash risk assessment
According to NFPA 70E arc flash hazard assessment objectives are:
- Definition of potential hazard;
- Assessment of the probability of accidents, as well as assessment of the severity of possible injuries;
- Identification of additional protective measures to prevent the development of that situation.
Arc flash assessment cost
The cost of such services depends on the following factors:
- Size of your object;
- Quantities of electrical equipment used;
- Information that can be used by an engineer conducting arc flash assessment.
To find out the exact arc flash assessment price, please contact Leaf Electrical Safety representatives.
The company has extensive experience in this field and can find the best solution for any business. To verify their competence, you can ask them to provide an arc flash risk assessment example.
We are sure that you will be satisfied with such cooperation!
