Arc Flash Protection
Overhead Lines | Preventable & Fatal Risks of Electrocution & Arc Flash Incidents
October 8th, 2019Thank you to the Electrical Safety Authority for allowing us to republish this article.
Four Ontarians Critically Injured or Killed by Electricity in the Past 24 Hours
Mississauga, on (September 20, 2019) – In the last day, three confirmed electrical-related incidents that have involved four individuals have been reported on worksites across Ontario: two reported fatalities and two critical injuries. All of these incidents involved contact with overhead electrical wires.
The Electrical Safety Authority is supporting the Ministry of Labour while each of these incidents are investigated. “In the last 24 hours, four families have been tragically impacted by the dangers of electricity and we are incredibly saddened by this news,” says Dr Joel Moody, Chief Public Safety Officer with the Electrical Safety Authority. “Unfortunately, these incidents were preventable and it’s clear that more needs to be done to help Ontarians stay safe when working around electricity.”
In the last 10 years, 19 Ontarians have died after making contact with energised powerlines.
The events of the past 24 hours further reinforce the serious nature of electricity and need to always be vigilant when working close to or around energised wires.
Electrical Safety
To keep safe, ESA urges everyone to remember these safety tips when working around electricity – at home or on the job:
- Look up, look out and identify all powerlines around you. Make sure people and equipment stay at least three metres away to prevent an incident. Electricity can jump to you or your equipment if you’re too close to a powerline.
- Stay alert! Many incidents happen at the end of the day when people are tired or rushing to finish a job.
- Be aware. Drivers of dump trucks and other high reach vehicles must get a signaller to ensure that equipment doesn’t come within three metres of overhead powerlines.
- Hidden dangers. Overhead powerlines can be hidden by foliage. Tree trimming tools that contact a powerline can result in electrocution. Look closely to identify overhead powerlines running through trees and ensure that you and your tools are at least three metres away from powerlines at all times.
- Keep equipment away. Aluminium ladders, or ladders with aluminium parts, will act as conductors of electricity if they contact overhead powerlines. Even wooden ladders can contain metal and lead to a shock if contact occurs with a powerline.
- Don’t touch. If wires fall down on the truck or the ground, always assume they are still energised. Stay in the vehicle, call 911 and keep everyone back. Only the local utility worker on-site can confirm when the power is off and tell you when it’s safe to exit the vehicle.
About the Electrical Safety Authority
The Electrical Safety Authority’s (ESA’s) role is to enhance public electrical safety in Ontario.
As an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario, ESA is responsible for administering specific regulations related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical product safety.
ESA works extensively with stakeholders throughout the province on education, training and promotion to foster electrical safety across the province. More information on the Electrical Safety Authority can be found at esasafe.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElectricalSafetyAuthority.
ESA’s Customer Service Centre can be reached at 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233).
For further information: Electrical Safety Authority Media Relations 905-712-7819 or [email protected]
Arc Flash Learning & Resources
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.
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
Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV
New Arc Flash Coveralls from Protection Specialists ProGARM
October 1st, 2019
ProGARM delivers ultimate Arc Flash clothing and protection, including Arc Flash coveralls, conforming with the relevant industry and EN standards ensuring protection from Arc Flash incidents.
Specialists in Arc Flash Protection
THE SPECIALIST CHOICE FOR ARC FLASH PROTECTION
ProGARM is the leading UK manufacturer of high-quality flame-resistant Arc Flash coveralls, garments and workwear – they work successfully with their UK Distributor Thorne & Derrick to save lives and reduce accidents.
ProGARM is the only UK manufacturer concentrating on and specialising 100% in Arc Flash protection and Flame Resistant garments for industry.
The dangers of Arc Flash incidents and the importance of protection from these hazards has never been as significant as it is today. This prominence will continue to increase over the next few years.
With multiple cable strikes every day in the UK and numerous major Arc Flash incidents, businesses are looking at how best to protect their team with the right Arc Flash and flame resistant garments. The correct clothing can significantly reduce injury and save lives.
ProGARM is committed to continual research and improvement to innovate and develop their range as quickly as possible to bring you the best Arc Flash protection for your team.
Product Launch: 4658 Coverall
The latest Arc Flash clothing release from ProGARM is the 4658 two-tone coverall.
Designed specifically for the utility, energy and rail markets, the 4658 is an alternative coverall to the 6458, which is also RIS compliant and manufactured using recently upgraded Hi-Vis Orange VXS+ fabric.
Featuring all the components found on the 6458 Arc Flash coverall, the 4658 brings style, practicality and protection for both the utility and rail sectors it has a range of adjustable elements, well-designed pockets and an ergonomic design for use with a harness.
Made from ProGARM industry-leading VXS+ inherent fabrics and Thermsafe™ components, this is a garment that’s with you for the long haul, offering not only practicality and comfort but great value for money. The 4658 comes with ProGARM’s lifetime seam guarantee, to give you that extra peace of mind and protection against arc flash.
Arc Flash Coveralls | ProGARM 4658
WHAT IS AN ARC FLASH?
An electric arc occurs whenever a circuit breaker, switch or isolator (Device) is opened and when there is current flowing in the circuit. However, most devices under normal operating conditions are designed to control the arc when opening or closing.
An arc flash may occur when the arc is uncontrolled and there is sufficient energy released to cause harm or damage.
Arc flashes occur both at high voltage and low voltage. There is little discrimination: low voltage arc flashes injuries are just as damaging at high voltage injuries.
Put simply: An Arc Flash is the light and heat produced from an electrical arc supplied with sufficient energy to cause significant damage, fire or injury.
An Arc Flash can cause minor injuries, third-degree burns and potential death as well as other injuries including blindness, hearing loss, nerve damage and cardiac arrest. Fatal burns can occur when the victim is several feet from the arc. Serious burns are common at a distance of 10 feet – arc flash can generate heat 4 times greater than the surface of the sun.
The dangers of an Arc Flash
Arc Flash Learning & Resources
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.
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
Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV
Arc Flash Study: Is It A Legal Requirement?
September 20th, 2019
Andrew Linley, Compliance Director at Electrical Safety UK Limited
The following article about the need to carry out an Arc Flash Study has been produced by Andrew Linley, Compliance Director at Electrical Safety UK Limited. Special thanks for the permission to re-publish your article.
Andrew has vast experience in electrical installation, maintenance and the requirements and the practicalities of electrical inspection, testing and certification. At Electrical Safety UK Limited, they provide expert consultancy and advice for organisations across Europe concerned with the safe management of risk associated with all electrical work activities.
Is arc flash study a legal requirement?
The simple answer is yes…
An arc flash study needs to be carried out by an electrical safety expert, to determine hazards and risks in electrical systems. The need to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, and to put measures in place to protect those who could be put at risk, is mandated by the following regulations:
- Regulation 4(1) – the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Regulation 3(1) – the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Regulations
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 poses arc flash hazards, and the risks posed are electric shock, burns, fires, arcing and explosion.
We demonstrate the need for Arc Flash Study and Arc Flash Protection
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’.
Conducting arc flash studies
It has been established that we need to conduct arc flash studies of the workplace to determine risks and hazards, but how exactly are they conducted?
The on-site evaluation results in fault current and coordination analysis, fault equipment labelling, recommendations for improvements and requirements for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). An arc flash study can be carried out by several organisations, including Electrical Safety Uk Ltd.
Further reading
Electrical Safety UK Ltd
Electrical Safety Management is our core business. We provide expert consultancy and advice for blue chip organisations across Europe concerned with the safe management of risk associated with all electrical work activities. ESUK provide a multi-faceted holistic approach including a full electrical safety management program, project management and policy documentation all bespoke to the client’s requirements including fully accredited and bespoke training courses and personnel assessment programmes.
Here at Electrical Safety UK, our team delivers a range of professional services to customers in a variety of market sectors. The team prides itself on the quality of the services it delivers to companies at the heart of manufacturing, engineering, energy, food production and education in the UK and Europe.
Visit Website: https://www.elecsafety.co.uk/
ESUK Services include:
1 Electrical Safety Management – Specialist consultancy and advice concerned with the safe management of risk associated with all electrical work activities. ESUK offer a multi-faceted approach including a full electrical safety management program, full project management and policy documentation bespoke to a client’s requirements.
2 Electrical System Studies – ESUK is the UK’s foremost exponent of Arc Flash Technology and carry out a wide range of power system studies, including Fault Level Analysis to IEC and ANSI standards, Protection Coordination, and complex Arc Flash Risk Assessments.
3 Training – ESUK offer both accredited and bespoke training courses including City & Guilds, IOSH, Safety Pass Alliance, Energy and Utility Skills. ESUK are also registered with the EEIAS and CIPD for recognition and accreditation of bespoke training courses.
Contact Details
Electrical Safety (UK) Limited
2 Genesis Business Park
Sheffield Road
Rotherham
S60 1DX
Tel: 0800 652 1124
Tel: 01709 961 666
Email: [email protected]
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
Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV
Arc Flash Learning & Resources
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.
Arc Flash – The Electrician’s Insidious Companion
July 31st, 2019
Arc Flash – The Electrician’s Insidious Companion Image: Safety Management Services, Inc.
Arc Flash
-
Blog Written By Patrick Mynett -
CEO / High Voltage Specialist at HV Training and Consulting Pty Ltd
Thorne & Derrick International would like to thank Pat Mynett for allowing us to publish his article Arc Flash – The Electrician’s Insidious Companion.
Pat is CEO at HV Training and Consulting Pty Ltd and is a High Voltage Specialist.
In 2014, Pat Mynett decided there was room in the market for another RTO to provide quality electrical training. Especially from a person with recent industry experience, whose main interest was in the electrical safety of workers and the welfare of the plant. Arc flash safety training was a glaring omission in the industry so he developed, wrote and registered a nationally accredited arc flash course for those who work in an arc flash hazard zone.
This is Part 2 in a series of 3 articles about the dangers of arc flash – over the course of these articles we have discussed the definitions, dangers, statistics, causes, prevention and protection against arc flash.
- Introduction to Arc Flash
- Arc Flash – The Electrician’s Insidious Companion
- Overcoming Arc Flash Hazards
The Electrician’s Insidious Companion
Your insidious companion is always lurking there in the background, looking to pounce on people who take short cuts, ignore rules or do not understand how to ban him from the worksite. If your insidious companion pays you a visit you may receive serious burns or pass on to the next world. Do not let this happen to you.
What is an uncontrolled Arc Flash?
A type of electrical explosion that results from a low-impedance (Short Circuit) connection to earth or another voltage phase in an electrical system.
It is the light and heat produced from an electrical arc supplied with Sufficient Electrical Energy to cause fatalities, serious injury, substantial damage, fire, or worse.
What is Sufficient Electrical Energy
In rough figures, a 125kVA transformer 400V (LV) supply would have a fault current capacity of over 3600amps. This just gives an illustration of the current available at the transformer LV terminals.
At the main switchboard this could have dropped considerably, depending on the impedance of the mains, but will always significantly exceed the switchboard load rating.
Padmount transformers can be 20 times the capacity of the above example.
Severity of an arc flash
The severity of an arc flash depends on the amount of fault current available and the duration (Time) the fault is on the system. The system’s voltage is only significant at LV where the volt drop across the arc can be up to 60% of the Low Voltage, so it appears to the protection as a high impedance fault, which therefore clears slowly.
This delay may mean the difference between serious and fatal burns. The careless worker is therefore completely dependent on the distance from and size of, the feeding transformer and most importantly, the switchboard and protection design, commissioning and ongoing maintenance (including tripping batteries) being done correctly.
Overcoming Arc Flash Hazards
Energy received from an arc flash
The energy produced by an arc flash and the energy received from an arc flash are two different things. The energy received from an arc flash is measured in Incident Energy (cal/cm2) depends on the distance from the arc flash. The further you are away from the arc flash source the less the incident energy.
What events can cause an arc flash?
An arc flash initiated when the system is static, no movement of system devices. These events can be caused through vermin (rats, mice, etc.) and hot joints. These events generally occur without injury to personnel as no work is being carried out in the vicinity. However, these events can and do cause significant damage to equipment.
An arc flash initiated when there is movement in the system.
The movements can be;
- working live,
- operator error,
- closing, opening and racking of circuit breakers,
- operating switches/isolators live,
- inappropriate operation of switchgear,
- trying to operate damaged switchgear,
- dropping tool/ equipment on live conductors/busbars,
- circumventing interlocks etc.
When arc flash events are due to movement, fatalities or significant injuries can occur, as well as major damage to equipment.
What can you do to protect against an arc flash incident?
- Do not take short cuts!
- Do not work live!
- Do not operate faulty equipment!
- Get an understanding of arc flash, its causes, its hazards and how to mitigate the hazards!
- Know when it is not safe to proceed with the work!
- Know the correct PPE to select and wear!
- Get training in arc flash hazards and mitigation!
arrow: Protecting Cable Jointers & Electrical Engineers When Working Live On Cables & Switchgear – comprehensive ranges of insulating matting and insulated tools.
Training to recognise Arc Flash Hazards
Now there is training available for people who work at the coal face and operate electrical equipment. This arc flash training imparts the knowledge to recognise, risk assess, mitigate, select the correct PPE for arc flash hazards and know when it is not safe to proceed with the work.
Arc Flash | Jackets | Coveralls | Trousers | Sweatshirts | Helmets | Gloves ProGARM
Selecting appropriate PPE
Wearing the correct type of PPE when working in an arc flash environment is imperative. If an arc flash occurs, without PPE you may not go home for a long time or you may not go home at all.
➡ Further Reading
- Arc Flash Clothing & Protection For Safe Windfarm & Wind Turbine Working
- Arc Flash Clothing – PPE To Protect Highways, Street Lighting & Utility Contractors
- Eliminate Arc Flash To Minimise Downtime & Repair Costs At The Circuit Breaker
- Do Insulating Gloves Provide Arc Flash Protection?
- Can Arc Flash Clothing Save Utility Workers Lives?
- Electrical Safety – Arc Flash Accidents & Electrocution In LV-HV Installations
- Arc Flash Calculation – Selecting Clothing & PPE To Protect Lives Against Arc Hazard
THORNE & DERRICK SPECIALIST ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTOR
LV ♦ MV ♦ HV
T&D distribute the most extensive range of LV, MV & HV Cable Jointing, Terminating, Pulling & Installation Equipment – we service UK and international clients working on underground cables, overhead lines, substations and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV transmission and distribution voltages.
- Key Products: MV-HV Cable Joints & Terminations, Cable Cleats, Duct Seals, Cable Transits, Underground Cable Protection, Cable Jointing Tools, Feeder Pillars, Cable Ducting, Earthing & Lightning Protection, Electrical Safety, Cable Glands, Arc Flash Protection & Fusegear.
- Distributors for: 3M, ABB, Alroc, Band-It, Catu, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Furse, Lucy Zodion, Nexans Euromold, Pfisterer, Polypipe, Prysmian, Roxtec.
LV – Low Voltage Cable Joints, Glands, Cleats, Lugs & Accessories (1000 Volts)
MV HV – Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors (11kV 33kV EHV)
Cable Laying – Underground Cable Covers, Ducting, Seals & Cable Pulling Equipment
T&D, CATU Electrical Safety & Arc Flash Protection Specialists for SAP’s, Linesmen, Jointers & Electrical Engineers – Largest UK Stockist
INVITATION
Thorne & Derrick invite you to join LinkedIn’s largest LV-HV Electrical Discussion Group : Low & High Voltage Power, Cabling, Jointing & Electricals. Discussion subjects include cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV. Network, engage and promote your profile, company or products with over 10,000 influencers.
Arc Flash Learning & Resources
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.
Introduction To Arc Flash
July 31st, 2019
“30,000 Arc Flash Incidents per year” Source: ISHN
Arc Flash
-
Blog Written By Patrick Mynett -
CEO / High Voltage Specialist at HV Training and Consulting Pty Ltd
Thorne & Derrick International would like to thank Pat Mynett for allowing us to publish his article Introduction To Arc Flash.
Pat is CEO at HV Training and Consulting Pty Ltd and is a High Voltage Specialist.
In 2014, Pat Mynett decided there was room in the market for another RTO to provide quality electrical training. Especially from a person with recent industry experience, whose main interest was in the electrical safety of workers and the welfare of the plant. Arc flash safety training was a glaring omission in the industry so he developed, wrote and registered a nationally accredited arc flash course for those who work in an arc flash hazard zone.
This is Part 1 in a series of 3 articles about the dangers of arc flash – over the course of these articles we have discussed the definitions, dangers, statistics, causes, prevention and protection against arc flash.
- Introduction To Arc Flash
- Arc Flash – The Electrician’s Insidious Companion
- Overcoming Arc Flash Hazards
What is an Arc Flash?
An electric arc occurs whenever a circuit breaker, switch or isolator (Device) is opened and when there is current is flowing in the circuit. However, most devices under normal operating conditions are designed to control the arc when opening or closing.
An arc flash may occur when the arc is uncontrolled and there is sufficient energy released to cause harm or damage.
Arc flashes occur both at high voltage and at low voltage. There is little discrimination, low voltage arc flashes injuries are just as damaging at high voltage injuries.
An arc flash is the light and heat produced from an electrical arc supplied with sufficient electrical energy to cause substantial damage, harm, fire, or injury.
What is sufficient electrical energy, lets look at two situations, firstly a domestic situation and then a commercial, industrial or mining situation.
A domestic situation: In most domestic dwellings, even though the risk of electric shock is present, the risks of an arc flash are only minor, as there is normally insufficient energy to cause a serious arc flash. The main switch / main circuit breaker is normally quite a distance from a transformer. The distance and smaller cables sizes results in much higher circuit impedance and lower fault current.
A commercial, industrial or mining situation: This is a different story, as the results of an arc flash can be catastrophic. The main switch / main circuit breakers may be only a few meters from a transformer, fed by busbars or large cables. This results in extremely low impedance and very high fault currents.
What can initiate an Arc Flash?
There are many things that can initiate an arc flash, they can be divided into two groups.
- Group 1: An arc flash when the electrical system is static and
- Group 2: An arc flash when there is movement in the electrical system
Group 1: An arc flash can occur and be caused by items such as vermin, hot joints etc. In these cases, there can be substantial damage to equipment, but injury to people is extremely rare. Vermin avoid areas when people are around.
Group 2: An arc flash can occur and be caused or initiated by items when there is movement in the system, such as closing or opening of circuit breakers, switches or isolators, applying earths, opening enclosures, dropping tools, inappropriate use of tools etc.
This is where the majority of arc flash injuries occur.
Arc flash can be caused by; switching devices being operated that are faulty or damaged, circuit breakers racked when closed, isolators opened on load, applying earths to energised conductors, closing a switch onto an earthed conductor, inadvertent contact through working close to live conductors, dropping tools onto live conductors, drilling into enclosures and the drill contacts an energised conductor.
Many of these causes are due to human error, working live, complacency, lack of training, lack of maintenance, taking short cuts etc.
Who are the people that get hurt
from an Arc Flash?
Nearly all arc flash injuries occur to people in two distinct groups.
Electrical workers and non-electrical workers.
Injuries to electrical workers make up the majority of arc flash injuries. They are the people that generally operate electrical switchgear, work on or close to energised conductors.
Injuries to electrical workers occur due a to lack of understanding, lack of training, complacency and ignoring or short cutting safety rules. There is tremendous pressure on electrical workers to keep electricity supply on when working on or close to energised conductors.
This pressure is applied by people who do not have any understanding of electrical hazards. Legislation in Australia only allows work on or close to energised conductors under strict conditions. Yet many electrical workers still work on or close to energised conductors.
Non- electrical workers who operate industrial switchgear is the other group where arc flash injuries occur.
There are many non-electrical workers in industry that switch industrial electrical low voltage loads on and off.
There are some that operate high voltage switchgear to create an isolation point for non-electrical work. Most of these non-electrical workers would not know what an arc flash is.
How many people get hurt in Australia
through Arc Flash and what can we learn in the UK?
Arc flash injury statistics are hard to acquire and quantify. In many cases this is due to arc flash injuries recorded at electrical injuries.
About three years ago figures were obtained from one Australian state’s hospitals on the number of people admitted with serious electrical (arc flash) burns. When these figures are extrapolated out to cover all of Australia. On average (30) thirty people each year get admitted to hospital with arc flash burns and (1) one fatality occurs every two years.
These figures can be backed up by the fact that in NSW/QLD and WA for the three months ending in November 2018, there was one fatality and 7 people who received serious burns.
In 2014 two fatalities occurred in WA.
It is unfortunate, that many arc flash injuries do not get reported and in some cases the information gets suppressed due to legal reasons.
The UK has 3 times the population of Australia, so it can be reasonably assumed that the numbers of injuries in the UK are 3 times greater.
90 people hospitalised and 1.5 fatalities each year.
What are the costs from an Arc Flash?
There are human costs and financial costs.
Human costs: It is not just the injury, it’s the trauma of recovery (burns take a long time to heal and scar for life), the family trauma (living with someone who is in constant pain and disfigured), loss of income (many burns victims never return to work). The divorce rate of burn victims is extremely high.
Financial costs: Loss of supply can be from an hour to several weeks. A single piece of equipment may only be damaged and easily replaced or a whole switchboard/transformer etc. may be damaged beyond repair. The costs can be from a few dollars up to millions of dollars. I would suspect that arc flash incidents cost Australian industries many millions of dollars each year.
In Conclusion
Arc flash is a real and present hazard.
Yet, it is often ignored or given the pretence to comply by industry.
The majority of electrical workers do not have an understanding of Arc Flash or its hazards, if they did we would not have the number of arc flash injuries that we do have at present. Arc flash training is available, but few companies take it up due to the lack of understanding of the subject.
arrow: Protecting Cable Jointers & Electrical Engineers When Working Live On Cables & Switchgear – comprehensive ranges of insulating matting and insulated tools.
Protect Yourself Against Arc Flash
Arc flash protection is provided by specialist clothing and garments for “head-to-toe” protection.
Enhanced and effective arc flash protection is safely achieved by wearing layers of protective clothing and garments manufactured from inherent fibres and which feature specific Arc Flash resilient components. Without the correct high-quality garments arc protection levels will be compromised.
➡ Further Reading
- Arc Flash Clothing & Protection For Safe Windfarm & Wind Turbine Working
- Arc Flash Clothing – PPE To Protect Highways, Street Lighting & Utility Contractors
- Eliminate Arc Flash To Minimise Downtime & Repair Costs At The Circuit Breaker
- Do Insulating Gloves Provide Arc Flash Protection?
- Can Arc Flash Clothing Save Utility Workers Lives?
- Electrical Safety – Arc Flash Accidents & Electrocution In LV-HV Installations
- Arc Flash Calculation – Selecting Clothing & PPE To Protect Lives Against Arc Hazard
THORNE & DERRICK SPECIALIST ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTOR
LV ♦ MV ♦ HV
T&D distribute the most extensive range of LV, MV & HV Cable Jointing, Terminating, Pulling & Installation Equipment – we service UK and international clients working on underground cables, overhead lines, substations and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV transmission and distribution voltages.
- Key Products: MV-HV Cable Joints & Terminations, Cable Cleats, Duct Seals, Cable Transits, Underground Cable Protection, Cable Jointing Tools, Feeder Pillars, Cable Ducting, Earthing & Lightning Protection, Electrical Safety, Cable Glands, Arc Flash Protection & Fusegear.
- Distributors for: 3M, ABB, Alroc, Band-It, Catu, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Furse, Lucy Zodion, Nexans Euromold, Pfisterer, Polypipe, Prysmian, Roxtec.
LV – Low Voltage Cable Joints, Glands, Cleats, Lugs & Accessories (1000 Volts)
MV HV – Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors (11kV 33kV EHV)
Cable Laying – Underground Cable Covers, Ducting, Seals & Cable Pulling Equipment
T&D, CATU Electrical Safety & Arc Flash Protection Specialists for SAP’s, Linesmen, Jointers & Electrical Engineers – Largest UK Stockist
INVITATION
Thorne & Derrick invite you to join LinkedIn’s largest LV-HV Electrical Discussion Group : Low & High Voltage Power, Cabling, Jointing & Electricals. Discussion subjects include cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV. Network, engage and promote your profile, company or products with over 10,000 influencers.
Arc Flash Learning & Resources
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.
