Arc Flash Protection

Arc Workwear Saves Lives | Watch Mitchell’s Story

June 7th, 2021

Saving Lives | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection

“The next thing I saw was a big flash; all up my chest and up to my face”

This Case Study focuses on the importance of wearing PPE clothing to protect against Arc Flash in the construction and utilities industries when working around buried services – it could save your life, like it did Mitchell’s.

An operative was using a shovel, while working as part of the digging team, when he struck an electrical cable, which led to an Arc Flash incident.

Fortunately, Mitchell was wearing suitable arc workwear, part of the ProGARM range of arc rated clothing and electrical PPE, which saved and protected him from further and more significant injuries.

We were fortunate enough to meet with Mitchell, a Team Leader for construction firm, Clancy Docwra, and his colleagues to speak to them about the day, the arc incident itself and the importance of keeping people safe while at work.

Lifesaving Arc Workwear

The video that ProGARM created in partnership with Clancy Docwra is to be used as part of internal training for their operatives and to better educate those working around live electricity, of the realities of the risks involved.

We thought it was too important not to show you, so please watch Mitchell’s story below and feel free to share.

Mitchell experienced an Arc Flash while on site at work. Thankfully his PPE saved him from serious injury.

Here’s his story…

“Probably about a year ago, I used to be on the Dig Team for Clancy Docwra. I unfortunately had a cable strike, it wasn’t anything too serious. It was on a house service of a property. We were digging down and I pushed my foot on the shovel, and the next thing I saw was a big flash; all up my chest and up to my face. I looked down at my PPE, the arc workwear that I was wearing, and it had burnt all of my top.”

Q1 – How did the Arc Flash PPE Protect you?

“So when I had the flash, it just was sort of like a big bang to my face. After a while it sort of shook me. I took my top off and there were no marks on the inside of the top. It was all on the outside and there was a big line up to my throat, of where it actually stopped, towards my face.”

Eddie could have lost his life without the arc workwear protection he was wearing.

Arc Flash Accident PPE

The PPE that saved Eddie’s life.

Q2 – How could the incident have affected you if you weren’t wearing the correct PPE?

“So the damage could obviously have been permanent, obviously internal damage and external damage. I could have had facial scarring, body scarring and it could have really affected me.”

Q3 – How do you stress the importance of PPE to your team?

“So for my current job role as an FPM, Field Performance Manager for Clancy Docwra, I really stress the importance to my lads about wearing the correct PPE. Obviously having the impact of what happened to myself, I do know how much it can protect you. At the end of the day we want to do our job safely, and go home to see our families.”

Remember, PPE is the last line of defence. Make sure you have safe working procedures in place before undertaking any work near live electricity.

Stay safe and don’t compromise.

Further Arc Flash Reading

PROGARM, THE ARC FLASH SPECIALISTS

Arc Flash Protection

Thorne and Derrick distribute a range of LIFESAVING Arc Flash Protective Clothing from ProGARM – the leading UK manufacturer of high quality Flame Resistant & Arc Flash clothing, garments and workwear.

T&D are national distributors LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – we service UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

“At ProGARM our mission is protect lives through the manufacture and supply of exceptional quality Arc Flash and Flame Resistant Clothing. Being the only specialist Arc Flash protection manufacturer in the UK we focus on providing the best protection possible to those who work at risk of Arc Flash on a daily basis with our inherent, specialist garments and industry-leading innovation. Supporting Utilities, Power Generation, Rail & Petrochemical industries we work with Thorne & Derrick to educate, inform and supply those who work at risk everyday allowing us to keep protecting lives throughout the UK & beyond.”

ARC FLASH LEARNING & RESOURCES

Arc Flash

Thorne and Derrick are proud to be distributors of ProGARM arc flash coveralls and protection.

We can help – should you require arc flash calculators or advice on the type of clothing and protection available please do not hesitate to contact us.


ProGARM 4690 Coverall	ProGARM 4616 Trouser	ProGARM 5816 Trouser	ProGARM 7638 Trouser	ProGARM 6458 Coverall

ProGARM 7418 Trouser	ProGARM 7480 Coverall	ProGARM 5290 Polo Shirt	ProGARM 6444 Coverall	ProGARM 5286 Polo Shirt

Download Your Guide To Arc Flash Here

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Arc Flash Clothing

Closing Thought – statistics show that between eight and ten arc flash accidents occur in the UK every week. Protect yourself, contact us to learn how.

Arc Flash – The Definitive Guide to Protecting Lives

May 25th, 2021

Main UK Distributors | Arc Flash Clothing Garments PPE

Arc Flash Clothing

ProGARM are a market-leading Arc Flash Clothing, Garment & PPE manufacturer, delivering the ultimate in arc flash protective clothing and worker protection without compromising on wearer comfort.

Specialist Distributor & Customer Service

Thorne and Derrick are Approved Specialist Suppliers & Distributors of ProGARM Arc Flash Clothing & PPE providing competitive prices from extensive stocks with excellent customer service levels. We protect LV HV Cable Jointers, SAP’s, Overhead Linesmen, Substation & Electrical Engineers; whether racking and switching Medium Voltage switchgear or fusing Low Voltage feeder pillars – we have the correct clothing and workwear to provide safe protection against all calculated levels of arc flash hazards.

The dangers of Arc Flash incidents and protecting your workers with specialist Arc Flash & Flame Resistant Clothing has never been as front-of-mind as it is today and ProGARM supported by Thorne & Derrick have created the Ultimate Guide to Arc Flash which you can download your copy below.

Arc Flash Clothing | Polo Shirts | Coveralls | Helmets | Insulating Gloves

Contents of Arc Flash Guide

What is Arc Flash
Arc Flash Incident Reporting
Risks & Consequences of Arc Flash
Sectors Where Arc Flash is a Risk
Arc Flash Test Methods
Testing for Quality Assurance
Testing for Quality Assurance
Advising on Fabric
Advising on Layers
Questions to Ask your Customers
Questions to Ask your Customers
Glossary
Resources

>> Download Your Guide To Here <<

💡 Did you know? – While high voltage equipment does increase the likelihood and intensity of arc flash explosions, they can occur in any live electrical environment – even low voltage.

Overview of Arc Flash Clothing | Contact us to discuss your garment and PPE requirements, we can mitigate risk with guidance on safe working practices and by providing appropriate worker clothing that offers advanced Arc Flash Protection that saves lives every day. Whether working on underground cables or overhead lines, here is a selection of workwear clothing – contact us to discuss your requirements;


ProGARM 4690 Coverall	ProGARM 4616 Trouser	ProGARM 5816 Trouser	ProGARM 7638 Trouser	ProGARM 6458 Coverall

ProGARM 7418 Trouser	ProGARM 7480 Coverall	ProGARM 5290 Polo Shirt	ProGARM 6444 Coverall	ProGARM 5286 Polo Shirt

THORNE & DERRICK | LV MV HV | Cable Jointing, Termination, Substation & Electrical Eqpt Distributors 600V to 66kV

ProGARM Arc Flash Clothing & Accessories Resource Centre

May 12th, 2021

Main UK Distributors

Resource Centre | Education & Learning with ProGarm

Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and fast delivery for the complete range of ProGarm arc flash clothing and accessories designed to protect people and save lives.

ProGarm offer a wide range of mens and womens arc flash garments providing comfortable protection to our clients in the LV HV Electrical Power & Substation sectors of the onshore and offshore renewable, rail, utility, data-centre and energy storage sectors.

A Selection of our Top Arc Flash Blogs

See our collection of the Top Arc Flash Blogs featuring the complete range of ProGARM clothing & workwear alongside best practices for protecting your workforce against arc flash and saving lives:

Arc Flash Learning & Resources

Arc Flash

Thorne and Derrick are proud to be distributors of ProGARM arc flash coveralls and protection.

We can help – should you require arc flash calculators or advice on the type of clothing and protection available please do not hesitate to contact us.


ProGARM 4690 Coverall	ProGARM 4616 Trouser	ProGARM 5816 Trouser	ProGARM 7638 Trouser	ProGARM 6458 Coverall

ProGARM 7418 Trouser	ProGARM 7480 Coverall	ProGARM 5290 Polo Shirt	ProGARM 6444 Coverall	ProGARM 5286 Polo Shirt

Download Your Guide To Arc Flash Here

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Arc Flash PPE Safety | Guidance On Protecting UK Rail Contractors

January 12th, 2021

ARC FLASH PPE SAFETY

STEP UP FOR SAFETY – “Do we do enough to Protect Civil & Utility Contractors within the railway boundary?”

Arc Flash PPE Safety | Guidance On Protecting UK Rail Contractors

Guest Article | The following article has been republished with the kind permission of Integrum Power Engineering.

Integrum Power Engineering are committed to providing highest quality engineering services and solutions designed to add value to their clients’ businesses whilst maintaining a zero-harm approach to safety and the environment – operating in all sectors and industries where power distribution engineering services are required, including renewables, utilities, oil and gas, mass transit, private networks and independent connections.

LV HV Power Engineering Services

– Network modelling and fault analysis
– Power distribution network protection scheme design
– Protection relay settings and Programmeable Scheme Logic
– IEC 61850 substation automation design
– Protection transformer sizing and specification
– Protection & Control and SCADA interface design
– Substation earthing system analysis, modelling and detailed design
– Substation LV and domestic services design
– Substation protection & control panel secondary design

You can contact Integrum Power Engineering here.

Last year an article had been produced assessing the types of Arc Flash Risks and the prevention of those same risks through the implementation of effective Arc Flash Clothing & PPE for workers in the UK Highways & Street Lighting industry.

With the incident at Network Rail’s Godinton Substation in December 2018, still at the forefront of our minds at Integrum Power Engineering, the question that has been raised is: “Do we do enough to Protect Civil & Utility Contractors within the railway boundary?”

What is Arc Flash?

Electrical arcing (sometimes called a ‘flashover’ or ‘arc flash’) can generate intense heat leading to deep-seated and slow healing burns. The intense ultraviolet radiation from an electric arc can also cause damage to the eyes.

Arc Flash PPE Safety

An arc fault is similar to the arc obtained during electric welding and the fault has to be manually started by something creating the path of conduction or a failure, such as a breakdown in insulation or contact with a conducting object.

When the air quality or insulation is degraded with moisture or other impurities, the possibility of an arc striking is increased. The arc column temperature can vary from 5,000ºC to 20,000ºC and the intense heat can vaporise the conductors and surrounding materials.

It can cause severe shock waves, splattering of molten debris, loud explosions due to the rapidly released vapour, as well as shrapnel and serious burn injury to anyone in the vicinity. The arc has a tendency to move away from its source.

What do the statistics tell us about Arc Flash incidents?

arc flash safety

Cable strikes are one of the most common causes of an Arc Flash, with approximately 60,000 strikes taking place in the UK per year.

The HSE states that around 1,000 workplace electrical incidents are reported to them each year, with around 25 people a year dying from their injuries.

It can be assumed that the proportion of incidents which resulted in life changing injuries or death being caused by Arc Flash incidents are likely to be even higher.

Alarmingly, ProGARM’s recent research revealed that a staggering 57% of electrical workers had first-hand experience of an Arc Flash incident having experienced or seen someone else suffer a strike during their career. This supports that the frequency of Arc Flash incidents that occur are far higher than the officially reported electrical incident statistics to HSE.

LVac Arc Flash victim in USA

Despite being extremely dangerous – potentially fatal for those caught in one – the UK’s Health & Safety Executive (HSE) categorises such reportable incidents together with all other electrical work incidents.

Arc Flash UK Legislative

Regulation 4(1) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states

‘All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, danger’.

Regulation 2(1) of the same regulations defines danger as meaning the risk of injury and

‘injury means the death or personal injury from electric shock, electric burn, electrical explosion or arcing, or from fire or explosion initiated by electrical energy, where any such death or injury is associated with the generation, provision, transmission, transformation, rectification, conversion, conduction, distribution, control, storage, measurement or use of electrical energy’.

arc flash incients

Electricity is a hazard, and the risks posed are electric shock, burns, fires, arcing and explosion. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states:

‘every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of: (a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and (b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking, for the purpose of identifying the measures he needs to take to comply with the requirements of and prohibitions imposed upon him by or under the relevant statutory provisions and by Part II of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997’.

the HSE have concern about Arc Flash

There are two types of enforcement notices that have been issued by the HSE that refer to Arc Flash, Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices. There have been 37 Enforcement Notices issued in the past few years by the HSE that concern Arc Flash. The Enforcement Notices cite the following Legislation and Regulations:

Health And Safety At Work Act 1974 (HASAWA)
This is the “umbrella” legislation that defines how workplace health, safety and welfare is controlled.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
A more detailed document that covers the principles needed to ensure workplace health and safety. This covers the need to carry out risk assessments.
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2002
This implements the requirements of the European PPE directive.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Covering the provision of safe working equipment and the training in its operation.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
General electrical regulations that cover working on or around electrical equipment including live systems.

Network Rail’s response to Godinton Substation Incident

Following the Godinton incident, the minimum requirements for Arc Flash PPE have been enhanced. substation incident

But the enhancements are only limited to Distribution & Plant maintenance and projects staff who undertake work inside traction / non traction distribution locations, which are required to wear the following at all times:

Main layer – Arc Flash polo shirt and Arc flash cargo trousers
Any Base layer underclothes MUST be either natural 100% cotton or approved flame retardant items

arc flash safety

Does the Network Rail response go far enough?

In May 2015, an Injured Person (IP) undertaking work on behalf of Amey was removing the bottom of a concrete service box with a hand-held breaker machine to lay a cable duct in a non railway environment. The IP hit a live 11,000Vac cable that was under the box and received an electric shock. The IP’s clothing caught fire and sustained serious burns to their face, chest, arms, hands, legs and stomach.

The IP was put in a medically induced coma for two weeks and has undergone several skin grafts. The accident also affected their eyesight and heart rhythm, while nerve damage means they no longer have full use of their left hand. The IP still attends physiotherapy appointments and has been unable to return to work.

Amey stopped work immediately after the accident and has since reviewed its safety procedures and operating practices. Amey now mandate the requirement that all workers wear arc flash personal protective equipment. Amey has also appointed an Electrical Duty Holder and improved its risk assessment process and increased supervisor training.

Operatives are exposed to arc flash risks if correct digging procedures are not followed while excavating underground electricity cables – operatives have suffered arc flash burns when digging with a hammer drill directly above an identified live buried cable. Upon making contact with even a 415Vac street lighting cable, ‘arc flash’ would still occur resulting in burns to the wrist and elbow and a visit to the hospital A&E. Never dig directly over an identified live buried service. Powered hand tools used close to live cables are likely to represent the greatest risk of injury.

what does Arc Flash Risk Management Good Practice look like?

In brief, good practice can be achieved by implementing certain tasks:

1)Calculate the Arc Flash Incident Energy Levels and Arc Flash Boundary Distances on each piece of equipment that is connected to your Electrical Distribution Network.

2)Label the equipment with the calculated values and recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that could be used to mitigate the risk.

3)Reduce the arc flash incident energy levels. (where practicable)

4)Carry out task-based arc flash risk assessments on the equipment with the highest levels of incident energy.

5)Give your staff the competence to understand Arc Flash Risk and how they can mitigate it.

6)Ensure visitors and contractors on your site understand their responsibilities in ensuring that your arc flash risk is managed appropriately.

Is Carrying Out An Arc Flash Study

A Legal Requirement In The UK?

The simple answer is yes. By virtue of Regulation 4(1) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the need to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of risk and to put measures in place to protect those who could be put at risk is mandated.

Regulation 4(1) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states ‘All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, danger’. Regulation 2(1) of the same regulations defines danger as meaning the risk of injury and ‘injury means the death or personal injury from electric shock, electric burn, electrical explosion or arcing, or from fire or explosion initiated by electrical energy, where any such death or injury is associated with the generation, provision, transmission, transformation, rectification, conversion, conduction, distribution, control, storage, measurement or use of electrical energy’.

Electricity is a hazard, and the risks posed are electric shock, burns, fires, arcing and explosion. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states ‘every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of: (a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and (b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking, for the purpose of identifying the measures he needs to take to comply with the requirements of and prohibitions imposed upon him by or under the relevant statutory provisions and by Part II of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997’.

Current Stance and Misconception

Despite all that has been recommended by HSE a recent study by ProGARM and the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) revealed a shocking level of widespread industry ignorance with 25% of employers attributing the sole responsibility to the employee, not the employer, to self-protect against arc flash.

This employer-employee confrontation across the knowledge gap is exacerbated by government passivity, resulting in an unresolved tension with workers endangered daily due to lack of understanding and ultimately absence of UK legislation – until more legal action is taken, as in the USA, the stand-off prevails and the risk pervades.

So as not to get caught up in this “Mexican Standoff” mentality on TRUW, should we not “Step Up for Safety” and consider mandating Arc Flash PPE in which to further protect Civil & Utility Contractors within the railway boundary?

More findings from the BSIF report:

84% Understood the risk of arc flash.
57% Were aware of someone who has suffered an arc flash injury.
90% Believe revised Government guidelines or enacted legislation is required to protect workers exposed to arc flash hazard.

We’re here to help you find the right solution for your operatives who are at risk of an electric arc to make sure they come home safely.

Arc Flash Clothing Protection

Arc Flash Learning & Resources

Arc Flash

Thorne and Derrick are proud to be distributors of ProGARM arc flash coveralls and protection.

We can help – should you require arc flash calculators or advice on the type of clothing and protection available please do not hesitate to contact us.


ProGARM 4690 Coverall	ProGARM 4616 Trouser	ProGARM 5816 Trouser	ProGARM 7638 Trouser	ProGARM 6458 Coverall

ProGARM 7418 Trouser	ProGARM 7480 Coverall	ProGARM 5290 Polo Shirt	ProGARM 6444 Coverall	ProGARM 5286 Polo Shirt

Download Your Guide To Arc Flash Here

THORNE & DERRICK

Thorne & Derrick are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing businesses involved in cabling, jointing, substation, earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and EHV. Supplying a complete range of power cable accessories to support the installation and maintenance of low/medium and high voltage power systems:

Slip-on Cable Terminations
Cold-shrink Cable Terminations
Heat-shrink Cable Terminations
Cable Joints – Heat & Cold-shrink
Separable Connectors (Euromold)
Surge Arresters & Switchgear/Transformer Bushings

Thorne & Derrick International

Arc Flash Clothing | Customer Testimonial | Utility Cable Ploughing

December 1st, 2020

Arc Flash Clothing Protection PPE

“As our last line of defence ATP Cable Plough have selected ProGARM arc flash clothing distributed by Thorne & Derrick to protect our utility workers when cable ploughing, trenching and excavating in the vicinity of live electrical cables. With a lifetime seam guarantee their arc clothing is purpose built with superior quality and industry-leading innovations to meet safety standards whilst keeping our teams comfortable in challenging environments.” Ben James, Operations Manager at ATP Cable Plough.

Utility Showcase: Cable Ploughing | Meet ATP The Utility Ploughing Specialists

Cable Plough

Arc Flash Learning & Resources

Arc Flash

Thorne and Derrick are proud to be distributors of ProGARM arc flash coveralls and protection.

We can help – should you require arc flash calculators or advice on the type of clothing and protection available please do not hesitate to contact us.


ProGARM 4690 Coverall	ProGARM 4616 Trouser	ProGARM 5816 Trouser	ProGARM 7638 Trouser	ProGARM 6458 Coverall

ProGARM 7418 Trouser	ProGARM 7480 Coverall	ProGARM 5290 Polo Shirt	ProGARM 6444 Coverall	ProGARM 5286 Polo Shirt

Download Your Guide To Arc Flash Here

T&D Logo

LV, MV & HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt

Thorne & Derrick International are specialist distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

3M Nexans Pfisterer

Arc Flash Protection

Arc Workwear Saves Lives | Watch Mitchell’s Story

Lifesaving Arc Workwear

PROGARM, THE ARC FLASH SPECIALISTS

ARC FLASH LEARNING & RESOURCES

Arc Flash – The Definitive Guide to Protecting Lives

Arc Flash Clothing

Contents of Arc Flash Guide

>> Download Your Guide To Here <<

ProGARM Arc Flash Clothing & Accessories Resource Centre

A Selection of our Top Arc Flash Blogs

Arc Flash Learning & Resources

Arc Flash PPE Safety | Guidance On Protecting UK Rail Contractors

ARC FLASH PPE SAFETY

What is Arc Flash?

What do the statistics tell us about Arc Flash incidents?

Arc Flash UK Legislative

the HSE have concern about Arc Flash

Network Rail’s response to Godinton Substation Incident

Does the Network Rail response go far enough?

what does Arc Flash Risk Management Good Practice look like?

Is Carrying Out An Arc Flash Study

A Legal Requirement In The UK?

Current Stance and Misconception

Arc Flash Learning & Resources

FURTHER READING

THORNE & DERRICK

Arc Flash Clothing | Customer Testimonial | Utility Cable Ploughing

Arc Flash Learning & Resources

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