"Industrial Safety and Hygiene News" reports that five to 10 arc flash explosions occur in electric equipment every day in the United States, according to a presentation by Eddie F. Jones, Square D / Schneider Electric, and Progress Energy. This number does not include cases in which the victim is sent to an ordinary hospital. Instead, these incidents are so severe the victims require treatment from a special burn center.
Here's what can cause electrical arcing:
Inadvertent contact
Loose connections
Insulation failure
Poorly maintained equipment
Voltage transients
Unsuccessful Short Circuit Interruption
Animals (squirrels, snakes, etc.)
Standards used to protect against arc flashes include: NFPA 70E, OSHA 1910, The National Electrical Code, and IEEE 1584.
SMOHIT's Mission
Our mission is to provide
industry-leading health and
safety solutions to minimize
occupational illnesses and injuries for sheet metal craftspeople.
