Saving Lives | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection
uploaded by Chris Dodds | Sales Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick
“If I wasn’t wearing my PPE, it probably would have been a different story.”
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 Eddie’s.
A few years ago, an operative was using a jackhammer when he struck a low voltage electrical cable, which led to an Arc Flash incident.
Fortunately, Eddie was wearing suitable arc flash clothing and PPE which ended up saving his life and protecting him from further and more significant injuries.
We were fortunate enough to meet with Eddie Smith, a Team Leader for construction firm, Clancy Docwra, and his colleagues to speak to them about the day, the incident itself and the importance of keeping people safe while at work.
Utilities | Avoiding Danger from Underground Services
Guidance is provided by the HSE HSG47 Document to utilities workers involved in commissioning, planning, managing and carrying out work on or near underground services – this includes all underground pipes, cables and equipment associated with electricity, gas, water (including piped sewage) and telecommunications.
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 Eddie’s story below and feel free to share.
Jim Eldred – Operation Manager at Clancy Docwra “I received a phone call mid to late morning from Eddie’s teammate. He informed me that Eddie had had an accident and that he had suffered injuries. I was informed that it was electric and that an ambulance was on route.
For me I was scared, I was pretty worried.”
Eddie’s Jackhammer had hit a live electrical cable.
Stephen Bainbridge – Field Performance Manager at Clancy Docwra “The first thing that runs through your mind is, is Eddie okay? And then you start thinking about his children – because he had a young family and a wife. having children myself, that was my concern for Eddie, is he going to come back from this, is he going to work again? As a team we took it quite badly..”
Eddie Smith “When the Arc Flash hit me – it went so fast. And then everything that happened after seemed to go in slow motion. There were these thoughts running through my head; the first one being obviously my little boy, but also my family and my job, and worry about the physical injuries.
“I had burns all the way up my hands, down my neck, inside my nose, mouth and around my face. But because I wear this PPE it didn’t touch my chest, legs or arms.”
“It’s one of those things you think is never going to happen to me, I know what I’m doing I’ve been doing it years – when it does its a massive shock to you and your family.”
Stephen Bainbridge – Field Performance Manager at Clancy Docwra “We need to get across that it’s not about money, it’s not about how many jobs you get done in a day – it’s about doing that job safely. Mostly. You have to wear this PPE. If you don’t wear it you could be dead with just one cable strike.
Eddie Smith “If I wasn’t wearing my PPE, it probably would have been a different story.”
On seeing the photos, Mark Lant, a Technical Expert at ProGARM said: “Obviously, we’d prefer it if Arc Flash incidents never occurred. However, the fact is they do, and we’re pleased to see our polo shirt performing as effectively in the field as it did in the lab. We wish the operative a speedy recovery from his other injuries.”
The PPE that saved Eddie’s life.
“It’s only when you see ProGARM’s Arc Flash garments in action like this that you realise how vital they are to saving lives in the field. We can perform every test available on our range of protective clothing, but to see real garments in real situations saving real lives is the ultimate proof of our success. When an Arc Flash incident occurs, we know that our protective garments are up to the job.”
Thankfully, Eddie made a full recovery in the end and is now back at work. Make sure that your team can do the same.
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
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.
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;
HV Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors | Approved Stockists & Distributors | 3M Electrical (Cold Shrink) | Nexans (Euromold JTS MONO) | Pfisterer (CONNEX SEANEX) | 11kV 33kV 66kV Medium & High Voltage Cable Accessories
by Chris Dodds | Thorne & Derrick UK
ARC FLASH | Protecting Lives of Lighting Engineers Against Arc Flash Dangers
In the following article, we assess 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 guidance from the UK Health & Safety Executive’s HSG85, Engineering Recommendation G39/1 and the Highways Electrical Association (HEA), we provide advice on management procedures to facilitate a continued achievement of safe working practices.
The role of Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS) and Safe Systems Of Work (SSOW) are mentioned as key underpins to arc flash mitigation and worker protection.
In recognition of those dangers and working with ProGARM, the leading UK manufacturer of the Flame Resistant & Arc Flash Clothing, we show how together we ensure workers return home safe.
We hope to clear the current ambiguity of attitudes to the subject with some interesting statistics that in conclusion may or may not achieve that objective.
Let me know your thoughts later here or vote in our Poll below – so lets get started.
According to the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) most electrical accidents occur because people are working on or near equipment:
Arc flash can only occur on live cables, circuits or electrical equipment.
“Electrical arcing (sometimes called a ‘flashover’ or ‘arc flash’), perhaps as a result of a short circuit caused by unsafe working practices, can generate intense heat leading to deep-seated and slow-healing burns, even if it persists for a short time. The intense ultraviolet radiation from an electric arc can also cause damage to the eyes.
Often those working with or near electricity do not appreciate the risk of serious injury and consequential damage to equipment that can arise from arcing. Arcing, overheating and, in some cases, electrical leakage currents can cause fire or explosion by igniting flammable materials.
This can cause death, injury and considerable financial loss.”
Extract from HSG85 UK HSE Electricity At Work – Safe Working Practices.
The UK HSE is an independent regulator providing advice, guidance, news, tools, legislation and publications for work-related health, safety and illness issues.
♦ ARC FACT Electric arc causes an ionization of the air with arc flash temperatures generating a fireball reaching up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hotter than the surface of the sun.
Injuries are usually caused by the explosive effects of arcing current, and by any associated fire or flames that may result when a live cable is penetrated by a sharp object such as the point of a digging tool. Excavating around public utilities always carries the potential for those utilities to be damaged and for those involved to be seriously injured.
In particular electrical cables carrying low voltage domestic electricity can cause serious burns. It is therefore important that all those involved in excavation work comply with safe digging practices to ensure the safety of themselves and anyone else who may be close by.
➡ Further reading: HSG47 UK HSE Avoiding Danger From Underground Services
Street lighting engineers and 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 a 415v street lighting cable, ‘arc flash’ occurred resulting in burns to the wrist and elbow and a visit to the hospital A&E – this could have been much worse. 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.
Ad: Lucy Zodion | Feeder Pillars | Cut Outs | Isolators – The Street Lighting Specialists
In the street lighting industry arc clothing should be rated according to IEC61482 – under test method IEC6182-1-1 garments are tested and then categorized into 5 levels of protection as per the chart below. Typically Category 2 arc flash clothing covers workers for the majority of tasks however this should be dependent and based on risk assessment of the job in hand.
ProGARM recommend worker should be protected from arc flash by a helmet with full visor, insulating gloves and garments such as arc flash polo shirt, arc flash trousers and coveralls with Category 2 flash protection.
| Incident Energy Level (caVcm2) |
Hazard Risk Category |
PPE Type | Arc Flash Clothing & PPE Details (Basic Examples) |
| 0 – 3.9 | 0 | 0 | 1 full FR/ARC layers (covering all body), polycarbonate safety spectacles, lightweight cotton gloves. |
| 4 – 7.9 | 1 | 1 | 1 layer flame retardant (FR) work wear, helmet, polycarbonate safety spectacles, lightweight FR gloves. |
| 8 – 24.9 | 2 | 2 | As above but with 2 layer FR outer work wear that has wrist closures, and a full face polycarbonate visor. A FR single-layer balaclava may also be worn to protect the face. |
| 25 – 39.9 | 3 | 3 | 3 layer FR outer work wear and FR shirt, a full-face hood or visor with safety spectacles underneath, chrome leather gauntlets. |
| 40+ | 4 | 4 | Typically 4 layer FR outer work wear (as illustration), FR and electrically insulated footwear and suitable FR material spats to close off the ankle area, FR gloves or chrome leather gauntlets, a hood constructed from a triple layer of FR material with a sewn-in polycarbonate face shield with a minimum of 2 panels of suitable thickness with one coated with a gold film for UV protection. |
♦ ARC FACT The arc blast can rupture ear drums and project molten metal into the face and lungs without adequate PPE protection.
Engineering Recommendation G39 is a Model Code of Practice covering Electrical Safety in the Planning, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Public Lighting and Street Furniture. G39 scope covers low voltage electrical installations (up to 1000V), the associated inherent risks, hazards and requirement for implementation of thorough and proper PPE to protect workers against electrical injuries.
Under obligation of law the employee must provide a Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) to enable safe working where hazardous work processes are present, for instance the risk of arc flash when working in the vicinity of live conductors in a cable trench during jointing of utility cables.
G39 does not mandate PPE requirements – this is the absolute responsibility of the employer (or if you’re the employer, the employee and vice versa).
However, leading industry bodies including the Highways Electrical Association would always recommend arc flash clothing and protective PPE where this is available.
Despite this a recent study by ProGARM in conjunction with 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.
Worryingly, 50% expect the employee to also self-educate through personal research.
Perverse as it may sound, try Googling “how to save my life against arc flash“. Over 43 million search results to wade through – some contradictory, some misleading.
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 legal action is taken, as in the USA, the stand-off prevails and the risk pervades.
More findings from the BSIF report:
Established providers of training courses covering G39, such as the Highways Electrical Association, ensure engineers working in highways environments such as street lighting are equipped with the knowledge, awareness and practical key skills when working in the vicinity of DNO electrical equipment.
Arc flash clothing is commonly worn when working on overhead power lines, during the removal and replacement of DNO cut-out fuse carriers, jointing live cables and the commissioning, maintenance and repair of distribution feeder pillars.
G39 training courses ensure delegates work in a safe and responsible manner to comply with company obligations and legislative policy.
Noting the recent swing in the UK HSE view of risk management through significance it would be reasonable to conclude that Arc Flash Clothing & PPE including visors and suitable head / hand wear, on a balance of risk vs cost vs availability should be specified – otherwise offending management or neglectful decision makers could face fines or imprisonment.
In addition to this Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place a duty on an employer to protect against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity in work activities.
EAWR places a legal responsibility on employers and employees, as duty holders, to ensure that electrical systems used at work under their control are safe.
“Employers and workers must comply with the EAW Regulations in so far as they relate to matters within their control. You should check that workers are following the rules and correct procedures. Sometimes, some or all of these checks may be delegated to the supervisor of the work. Even in organisations with effective written safety rules and safe systems of work, regular and systematic management checks of the work are necessary. This is particularly important if the work is being done in the field, on another occupier’s premises, or by peripatetic workers.”
Extract from HSG85 UK HSE Electricity At Work – Safe Working Practices.
ProGARM | Functional Arc Flash Clothing, Protection & PPE For Everyday Wear
In the UK risk assessments are undertaken to identify, mitigate and eliminate workplace risks and then additionally a method statement is prepared to control residual risks – this is known as RAMS and demonstrates safety precautions have been sanctioned to protect employees against worksite hazards and comply with Law.
Pictured: 4 Core Waveform LV Cable Terminations Into Schneider Feeder Pillar. Image: Darren Street (D&R Cable Jointing).
5 Simple Steps To Assessing Risk Of Arc Flash Incident
With respect to arc flash protection a company risk assessment would cover PPE requirements at the planning stage before any works commencing – typically an electrical engineer would isolate and test energised equipment is dead and absent of voltage prior to removal of incoming mains power supply.
Working dead with secure electrical isolation eliminates arc flash risk completely, but working on or near live exposed conductors or electrical equipment occurs because it is difficult, even impossible, to programme work to allow all job tasks to be carried out where cables and equipment are dead:
In these conditions, arc flash clothing and protective helmet with insulating gloves should be worn – if in doubt contact us to discuss your requirements.
Utlities in the UK undertake live cable jointing using insulated tools to prevent interruption to multiple occupancy buildings and businesses. Shown pictured, a live 185sqmm Consac to 185sqmm Wavecon low voltage mains repair straight joint has been installed to restore power to 13 industrial units “off-supply” in Reading. The fault was a “phase to phase” fault with two cable faults on a 1 meter section of cable.
Credit: Cable Jointer – Grant Butler 33kV/11kV HV & LV Cable Faults Jointer at SSEN
T&D distribute Flame Resistant & Arc Flash Clothing to local authorities, private lighting contractors (Highways Agency & NERS), ICP’s and DNO’s.
ProGARM are a the leading UK manufacturer of high quality Flame Resistant & Arc Flash clothing, garments and workwear – they work successfully with their UK Distributor Thorne & Derrick to save lives and reduce accidents.
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.
When lives are at stake, trust a specialist.” Mark Lant, Sales Manager at ProGARM – Protecting Lives through ARC Flash & Flame Resistant Clothing solutions.
Arc Flash Protection | Polo Shirts | Jackets | Coveralls | Trousers | Helmets | Gloves
Closing Thought – EU statistics show that between eight and ten arc flash accidents occur in the UK every week. Protect yourself, contact us to learn how.
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.
by Chris Dodds T&D - estimated reading time 8 minutes
“30,000 Arc Flash Incidents per year” Source: ISHN
We recently asked Hugh Hoagland (Managing Partner at ArcWear & e-Hazard.com) to recommend the 3 most effective and reliable software packages for Calculating Arc Flash Risk & Hazard in accordance with NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584.ƒ1
e-Hazard USA are the industry leader in electrical safety training based on the latest NFPA 70E Standard providing arc flash testing, electrical safety and arc flash training for companies across the globe.
Hugh recommended the following Arc Flash Hazard, Risk Assessment, Clothing & PPE software packages: SKM, Easy Power and Kinetrics – we overview them and provide further information links to all 3 including free demonstration packages.
Arc flash clothing and PPE requirements are often panic rather than planned purchases – most often contractors are over-spending on arc flash protective clothing only to arrive on site to carry out work tasks requiring manual dexterity in cumbersome arc flash suits of armour. Hampered, overheating and under pressure to work safely in high voltage substations.
Electrical engineers must wear appropriate level of arc flash protection when working on low, medium or high voltage electrical switchgear, panels and equipment.
Consequently, it is rare for a specific site risk assessment or arc flash hazard calculation to have been carried out. Contractors therefore default to a “worst case” scenario with decision making clouded by the online plethora of inconsistent product recommendations often motivated more by commercial intent rather than the provision of worker safety.
We hope this information will enable better forward planning by contractors to minimise arc flash hazards by selecting the most appropriate level of protective clothing and utilising an arc flash sofware calculator.
As leading UK distributors of arc flash clothing, we are committed to supporting the observance and implementation of electrical safety and managing arc flash risk in hazardous and high voltage working environments.
Arc Flash | Jackets | Coveralls | Trousers | Sweatshirts | Helmets | Gloves ProGARM
Arc flash can occur during live cable jointing, phasing in operations, racking in and out of switchgear, reclosing of electrical switchgear onto a fault, switchgear failure, excavating near live cables or accidental contact with live conductors during maintenance.
ArcCalc calculates the incident energy and arc flash boundary for any point in a power system be it low, medium or high voltage.
Minimum and maximum arcing short circuit currents are calculated using broad tolerances to provide conservative results with estimated system data.
ArcCalc saves time by automatically determining trip times from the protective device settings. Incident energy, arc flash boundaries and Arc Flash PPE clothing are calculated following the NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 standards. More information.
SKM Arc Flash Tutorial & Arc Flash Assessment
Easy Power arc flash software provides the most comprehensive productivity configuration for conducting arc flash analysis and ensuring full compliance with OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements.
Whether you’re designing electrical power systems, analyzing arc flash hazards, selecting suitable arc flash clothing or implementing an electrical safety program, this is software configuration can assist. More information – Download Free Demo.
EasyPower Arc Flash Analysis Intro : Automated Power System Design and Analysis
ARCPRO™ has become the industry’s most widely-used application for computing arc hazards and selecting protective clothing for single arc situations, particularly for High Voltage Transmission and Distribution applications not addressed by other methods.
Kinectrics ARCPRO™ calculates the thermal parameters of electrical arcs and is designed to provide users with data regarding heat exposure, total heat flux and heat energy on a surface at various distances from an electric arc.
The software is used to predict the potential arc hazard in a particular work environment and provide basis for specifying the appropriate level of PPE and clothing to protect against arc flash hazards. More information.
ƒ1 IEEE Std 1584-2002 (Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations) is a standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers that provides a method of calculating the incident energy of arc flash event – purchase copy of IEEE 1584.
“PPE is the last item on the list when putting in place arc incident control measures. Your arc flash risk assessment should measure the severity of the hazard (incident energy levels) and then look how that incident energy can be minimised. You should then consider what activities you carry out that could expose you to any residual arc flash risk that may be controlled with PPE”, Paul Hopton (Principal Electrical Consultant at Electrical Safety UK Limited).
◊ Can Arc Flash Clothing Save Cable Jointers Lives?
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.
Electrical Safety UK
ESUK is a specialist company concerned with the safe management of risk associated with all LV & HV electrical work activities. Having pioneered the European approach to Arc Flash Hazard assessment and management, ESUK have a proven track record in ensuring that clients comply with their local law in the most cost effective way.
THORNE & DERRICK are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Duct Sealing, Jointing & Substation Electrical Safety Equipment – we service UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.
Since 1985, T&D have established an international reputation based on SERVICE | INTEGRITY | TRUST.
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, earthing and lightning protection, 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.
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