Arc Flash NFPA 70E 3

Summary

The video script discusses the importance of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in preventing injuries from arc flashes and electrical hazards. It highlights the flammability and melting risks of various fabrics, emphasizing the need for non-melting materials in undergarments. The script also covers the use of arc-rated balaclavas, the placement of barriers and barricades, and the role of attendants in safety. It underscores the significance of incident energy in selecting PPE and the necessity for a qualified person to have the right skills and knowledge for electrical work safety.

Takeaways

• 🔥 Many fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends, are flammable and can continue to burn, posing a risk of serious injuries.
• 🌡 Synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and spandex can melt during an arc flash, potentially aggravating burn injuries.
• 👚 Properly rated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential to limit the thermal energy exposure to a safe level, but it may not prevent undergarments from melting onto the skin.
• 🧥 Undergarments must be made of non-melting material to avoid additional injury from melted fabrics.
• 🎭 Arc-rated balaclavas, such as balaclava sock hoods, are designed to protect the neck and head, excluding the face, and should fit tightly with minimal air pockets.
• ⚠️ A barricade is a physical obstruction intended to provide a warning and limit access to hazardous areas, and it should be installed according to specific safety guidelines.
• 🚷 The placement of barriers and barricades is crucial for safety and is often the duty of workers performing tasks in proximity to electrical hazards.
• 👷‍♂️ Attendants are responsible for manual signaling and alerting to keep unqualified employees away from areas with electrical hazards.
• 🔢 Incident energy, measured in calories per square centimeter, is a critical factor in selecting appropriate PPE to prevent injury from electrical arcs.
• 🛡 PPE rated above the calculated incident energy value increases the likelihood of protecting employees from the thermal effects of an arc flash.
• 🏢 A qualified person is one with demonstrated skills and knowledge related to electrical equipment operations and has received safety training to identify and reduce hazards.
• 📚 Continuing education and demonstration of necessary skills are required to maintain the skill level for working safely with electrical equipment.

Q & A

Why are certain fabrics like cotton, polyester, and wool considered hazardous in the context of arc flash incidents?

These fabrics are flammable and can continue to burn, which can lead to serious injuries due to their tendency to melt onto the skin, exacerbating burn injuries.

What is the role of properly rated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in preventing injuries from arc flash?

Properly rated PPE should limit the thermal energy level and pinch on the employee's body to one that does not cause worse than second-degree burns, although it may not prevent the melting of undergarments.

Why is it essential for undergarments to be made of non-melting material in arc flash scenarios?

Undergarments made of non-melting material are crucial to prevent them from melting onto the employee's skin, which can cause additional severe burns.

What is an arc-rated balaclava, and how does it protect against arc flash?

An arc-rated balaclava is a head and neck covering that is tested and rated for arc flash protection. It fits tightly against the skin with minimal air pockets, providing protection to the neck and head except for the facial areas of the eyes and nose.

Why is it not advisable to wear a balaclava for warmth as arc flash protection?

A balaclava intended for warmth may not have the necessary arc rating and may not meet the requirements of NFPA 70E, thus failing to provide adequate protection during an arc flash event.

What is the purpose of a barricade in electrical safety?

A barricade serves as a physical obstruction and warning device to limit access to areas with electrical hazards, ensuring that only qualified personnel can approach.

How should the placement of barriers and barricades be determined during electrical work?

The placement should be determined by maintaining the limited approach boundary distance or ensuring that energized conductors or circuit parts are de-energized and safe to approach.

What is the role of an attendant in providing manual signaling and alerting during electrical work?

The attendant's primary duty is to keep unqualified employees outside the work area where they might be exposed to electrical hazards, ensuring that only those qualified are present.

What is incident energy, and why is it important in selecting appropriate PPE?

Incident energy is the amount of thermal energy impressed on a surface during an electrical arc event, typically expressed in calories per square centimeter. It is crucial for selecting PPE rated above the calculated incident energy value to ensure protection.

What qualifies a person as a 'qualified person' in the context of NFPA 70E?

A qualified person is one who has demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the construction operations of electrical equipment and installations, has received safety training to identify hazards, and reduce associated risks.

Why is continuing education and demonstration of necessary skills important for maintaining the requisite skill level to work safely?

Continuing education and skill demonstration are important to ensure that employees remain up-to-date with safety practices and can work safely on electrical equipment, as the nature of electrical work requires ongoing learning and skill development.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Fire Hazards of Fabrics and PPE Importance

This paragraph discusses the flammability of various fabrics like cotton, polyester, and wool, which can lead to serious injuries from burns. It emphasizes the importance of properly rated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to limit the thermal energy exposure to employees. The text also highlights the risks of synthetic materials like nylon and polyester that can melt and cause additional injuries during arc flash exposure. The role of undergarments made from non-melting materials is stressed, as well as the necessity of arc-rated balaclavas for head and neck protection. The paragraph also touches on the use of barricades and attendants to ensure safety from electrical hazards, and the concept of incident energy in arc flash events, which is crucial for selecting the right PPE.

Keywords

💡Flammable fabrics

Flammable fabrics are materials that can easily catch fire and continue to burn. In the context of the video, these fabrics pose a significant risk of causing serious injuries due to their tendency to melt or continue burning on contact with skin, which is particularly concerning in arc flash scenarios.

💡Arc flash

An arc flash is a dangerous electrical explosion that occurs when electrical current travels through the air from one conductor to another. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding arc flash to select appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and to prevent severe burn injuries.

💡PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

PPE is specialized clothing and gear designed to protect workers from hazards. The script discusses the necessity of properly rated PPE to limit the thermal energy exposure to a safe level and prevent injuries from flammable or melting fabrics during an arc flash event.

💡Thermal energy

Thermal energy refers to the amount of heat that can be transferred from one body to another. In the video, it is mentioned that PPE should limit the passage of thermal energy to prevent burns, illustrating the importance of PPE in managing the heat generated during an arc flash.

💡Undergarments

The script highlights the importance of undergarments made from non-melting materials to prevent them from sticking to the skin during an arc flash. This is crucial because the melting of undergarments can exacerbate burn injuries.

💡Balaclava

A balaclava is a form of headgear that covers the entire head except for the eyes, nose, and mouth. The video mentions that an arc-rated balaclava is essential for protecting the neck and head from arc flash, emphasizing its role in providing comprehensive PPE.

💡Arc rating

Arc rating is a measure of a material's ability to protect against the heat and flames produced in an arc flash. The script specifies that balaclavas and other PPE must have a tested arc rating to meet safety standards like NFPA 70E.

💡Barriers and barricades

Barriers and barricades are physical obstructions used to warn and limit access to hazardous areas. The video script discusses their importance in electrical safety, especially in defining and maintaining safe distances from energized equipment.

💡Limited approach boundary

The limited approach boundary is a specified distance from energized electrical parts beyond which only qualified persons are allowed. The script explains that barriers should be installed to enforce this boundary and protect workers from electrical hazards.

💡Attendant

An attendant, as mentioned in the script, is responsible for providing manual signaling and alerting to keep unauthorized personnel out of work areas where they could be exposed to electrical hazards. This role is critical in ensuring the safety of workers during electrical operations.

💡Incident energy

Incident energy is the amount of thermal energy that is impressed on a surface during an electrical arc event. The script underscores the importance of calculating incident energy to select the right PPE and prevent injuries from arc flash.

💡Qualified person

A qualified person is someone with demonstrated skills and knowledge related to electrical equipment and installations, and who has received safety training. The video emphasizes that qualification is task-specific and requires ongoing education to maintain the necessary skill level for safe work.

Highlights

Various fabrics including naan are flammable and can continue to burn, leading to serious injuries.

Synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, and spandex can melt into the skin from arc flash exposure, aggravating burn injuries.

Properly rated PPE should limit thermal energy levels to prevent worse than second-degree burns.

Undergarments must be made of non-melting material to prevent melting onto the employee's skin.

Balaclava sock hoods are arc-rated and protect the neck and head except for the facial areas.

Balaclava must have a tested arc rating and should not be worn solely for warmth.

A barricade is a physical obstruction intended to provide a warning and limit access.

Barriers should not be installed closer than the limited approach boundary distance.

The placement of barriers and barricades is often the duty of the person performing the task.

Attendants must keep unqualified employees outside of work areas where they might be exposed to electrical hazards.

Incident energy is the amount of thermal energy impressed on a surface during an electrical arc event.

Predicting the amount of available incident energy is crucial for selecting appropriate PPE.

A qualified person demonstrates skills and knowledge related to electrical equipment and installations.

Continuing education and demonstration of necessary skills are required to maintain the requisite skill level for safe work.

Licensing alone does not make a person qualified under NFPA 70e for all tasks or equipment.

Electricians may be qualified for installation but not maintenance of the same equipment.

Transcripts

many fabrics including naan are created

cotton polyester cotton blends nylon

silk and wool fabrics are flammable and

can a night and continue to burn

resulting in serious injuries

furthermore non are crated synthetic

materials such as nylon polyester

polypropylene and spandex can melt into

the skin from an arc flash exposure

aggravating the burn injury significant

injuries can occur when fabrics melt

onto an employee skin our graded PPE

does not necessarily prevent the passage

of thermal energy to the employee

however properly rated PPE should limit

thermal energy level and pinch on the

employees body to one that does not

cause worse than a second to reborn'

this energy level may be sufficient to

melt undergarments onto the employee

skin therefore undergarments must be

made of non melting material an incident

quantity of these fabrics such as those

and the elastic bands and underwear is

permitted a balaclava sock hood is an

arc rated that protects the neck and

head except for the facial areas of the

eyes and nose it fits tightly against

the words head and neck and few air

pockets exist between the balaclava and

the wearer skin only balaclava is having

a tested Park rating and calories can be

used to meet the requirements of the

NFPA 70e balaclava antenna for warmth

must not be worn as our flash protection

this picture shows a balaclava sock hood

with an arc that remote performance

value rating of 28 calories a barricade

is a physical obstructions such as tapes

cones or a frame type water metal

structures intended to provide a warning

and to limit access a barricade might

consist of warning tape and cones as

shown as this picture physical or

mechanical field fabricated barriers

shall be installed no closer than a

limited approach boundary distance while

the barrier is being installed the

limited approach boundary distance shall

be maintained or the energized

conductors or circuit parts shall be

placed intellectually safe work

condition the placement of barriers and

barricades will often be your duty as

part of the performing task the limited

approach boundary distance will not be

found on an equipment label it should be

on the Energizer or permit if the task

does not require work permit you must be

capable of determining the distance from

the appropriate table barricades are not

intended to prevent approach to an area

instead

a barricade is intended to act as a

warning device when installed the

barricade should enclose the area

containing the electrical hazard if

signs and barricades do not provide

sufficient warning and protection from

electrical hazards antennas shall be

stationed to warn and protect employees

the primary duty responsibilities of an

attendant providing manual signaling and

alerting shall be to keep unqualified

employees outside of the work area where

the unqualified employee might be

exposed to electrical hazards the

attendant should have no other duty than

to deliver the warning incident energy

is the amount of thermal energy

impressed on a surface a certain

distance from the source generated

during electrical arc event in state

energy is typically expressed in

calories per square centimeter

predicting the amount of available

incident energy is crucial in selecting

appropriate PPE properly rated PPE

prevents injury from melting or burning

clothing or from direct skin exposure

due to the increased temperature Darren

are cleaning fault

using PVD rated above the calculated

incident energy value can raise the

probability of the employee being

protected a qualified person is one who

has demonstrated skills and knowledge

related to the construction operations

of electrical equipment and

installations and has received safety

trained to identify the hazards and

reduce the associated risk a qualified

employee must understand the

construction and operation of the

equipment or circuit associated with the

planned work tasks an employee could be

qualified to perform one more task and

all not be qualified to perform a

different work task on that same piece

of equipment an employee could also be

qualified to work on one piece of

equipment but not another similar piece

of equipment many states and local

government licensing programs have

training requirements that must be met

for a person to be considered qualified

the applicant must be examined initially

and then periodically after procuring a

license the license in and of itself

does not make a person qualified under

the requirements of the NFPA 70e for all

tasks or equipment that may be

encountered for example often the

licensing of electricians qualifies them

for installing electrical equipment in

accordance with the NEC but may not

qualify them to maintain the same piece

of equipment the electrical work

requires continuing education and

demonstration of the necessary skills in

order to maintain the requisite skill

level to work safely