Understanding Arc Flash | Core Body of Knowledge for the Generalist OHS Professional
Published 30 Jul 2021
Republished by Kind Permission of The OHS Body of Knowledge – The OHS Body of Knowledge (OHS BoK) is the collective knowledge that should be shared by generalist OHS professionals to provide a sound basis for understanding the causation and control of work related fatality, injury, disease and ill health (FIDI). This knowledge can be described in terms of its key concepts and language, its core theories and related empirical evidence, and the application of these to facilitate a safe and healthy workplace. The OHS BoK has been developed for the Australian OHS context but has international application.
Source is Australian Institute of Health and Safety
Uploaded by Chris Dodds | Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick UK
Authored by | Brett Cleaves, Director, Engineering Safety Pty Ltd
Peer Review by | Vanessa Garbett, Team Leader, Electrical Installation Safety, Energy Safety Victoria, Australia
Acknowledgements to | The Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) financially and materially supports the OHS Body of Knowledge as a key requirement of the profession. The Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board influences, supports and monitors the OHS Body of Knowledge.
Second Edition, 2019
The Understanding Arc Flash Document includes a content page as follows:
Table of Contents
A1 Introduction
A1.1 Some electrical terms
A2 The extent of the problem
A3 Understanding arc flash
A3.1 Electrical arcs
A3.2 Arc faults, arc flash and arc blast
A3.3 Impact of arc flash
A3.4 Arc flash and nature of work
A4 Risk assessment
A5 Legislation and standards
A5.1 Legislation
A5.2 Standards
A6 Control of arc flash hazards
A6.1 Elimination
A6.2 Substitution
A6.3 Engineering controls
A6.4 Administrative controls
A6.5 Personal protective equipment (PPE)
A6.6 Resilience of controls
A7 Implications for OHS practice
A8 Summary
List of Figures
Figure A1 Arc flash and arc blast
Figure A2 Electrical work and arc flash
Figure A3 Prevention and mitigation of arc flash hazards
List of Tables
Table A1 Arc flash incidents in 2018
Table A2 Risk factors for arc flash
Table A3 Control options for arc flash
Table A4 Examples of impact of organisational context on implementation of arc flash controls
Abstract
This appendix to the OHS Body of Knowledge Chapter ‘Physical Hazards: Electricity’
focuses on the electrical hazard of arc flash from the perspective of the generalist OHS
professional. After defining relevant terms, examining the incidence of arc flash injuries and
reviewing relevant legislation and standards, it considers options for control of arc flash and
implications for OHS practice.
A1 Introduction
The OHS Body of Knowledge chapter Physical Hazards: Electricity presents information required by generalist OHS professionals to enable them to better understand the nature of electricity as a hazard, how it can harm the human body and the standard control measures.
The chapter emphasises the severity of potential consequences of an electrical incident, noting that several deaths by electrocution occur in workplaces across Australia every year. This appendix focuses on one particularly dangerous type of electrical hazard – arc flash – the consequences of which can range from inconsequential to severe burns and death as well as power outages, fire and significant property damage.
While arc flash is associated with electrical work, and may be considered a specialist topic, all workplaces have electricity and so arc flash hazards are of pervasive relevance. With the introduction of metal clad switchboards from the mid-20th century came the practice of switchboard arc flash containment and testing, and it was not until the 1980s that arc flash hazards were first quantified.
Consequently, knowledge of arc flash hazards, the risk factors and the mechanism of injury causation is still evolving. The dynamic nature of this knowledge is reflected in the existence and use of different standards and terminology across countries and organisations; this inconsistency can present problems for generalist OHS professionals working with electrical personnel to implement a risk management approach to minimising arc flash.
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Meet the Author, Brett Cleaves BE(Elec)
Director, Engineering Safety Pty Ltd
Email: [email protected]
Since starting as a cadet with BHP in 1993, Brett has worked in steel mills, mines and electrical utilities, executing a range of duties in maintenance, engineering, governance, production and project management.
He developed a strong commitment to electrical safety, and received BlueScope awards for leadership and engagement. In 2013, Brett established Engineering Safety through which he provides project management services for a range of electrical companies together with general advice on electrical safety to industry.
At the leading edge of hazard identification, assessment and control for arc flash in Australia, Brett is a strong advocate for the need for knowledge of arc flash to evolve to provide clarity on the most appropriate practices and controls.
