HEALTH & SAFETY
across the six sectors most at risk – wind, power generation,
industrial electrical, rail, utilities, and petrochemical – aren’t
clear on what governmental guidelines provide guidance on
how to work safely when arc flash is a threat, while 80% of
those that were aware felt the guidelines were ambiguous.
L is for legislation
With such drastic consequences, you would be forgiven for
expecting that despite a lack of awareness, there was strict
legislation in place in order to protect the people working
in these conditions. However, there are few appropriate
protective measures to mitigate against it, leaving the UK
workforce often at extreme risk.
M is for molten metals
Metal parts near the event of an arc flash can liquefy or
vaporise. This means they will rapidly expand in volume as
the metal changes state from a solid to vapour, resulting in
explosive pressure and soundwaves.
N is for new standard for cal ratings
This summer, a new version of IEC 61482-1-1 is expected to
be published, changing the way arc flash garments are tested.
ELIM is a new method for calculating arc ratings. Previously,
arc ratings have been calculated using a minimum of 20
data points. These data points are then used to create a
prediction of the incident energy level at which there’s a 50%
probability the heat transfer will cause the material to break
open and expose the operative, leaving them susceptible to
serious injury and burns.
O is for ouch
Thermal energy from an arc flash incident can be deadly.
When someone is exposed to an arc flash incident, serious
burns and other potentially life-threatening injuries can be
minimised and even avoided by effectively utilising arc flash
garments.
An arc flash event may not be a daily occurrence in your
business, but they are happening multiple times every
working day in the UK. Risk assessment and precautions
through safe working practices can be instigated by your
company, and that will limit the possibility of a painful or
even deadly arc flash incident.
P is for pressure wave
The pressure wave created during an arc flash can knock
workers off-balance, throwing them to the floor or even across
a room onto equipment or against walls.
Q is for quality PPE
Not all arc flash protective garments are manufactured
equally. While many garments meet minimum standards, it’s
important to ensure that the level of protection and quality of
PPE will provide the protection the wearer needs. When lives
are at stake, it’s essential that you invest in high-quality and
specialist expertise to ensure safety remains a number one
priority.
R is for rehabilitation
Treatment for those that survive an incident can require years
of skin grafts, hospital stays and rehabilitation – they may
never recover sufficiently to regain their lifestyle. So it’s safe
to say that wearing appropriate PPE is key when it comes to
arc flash safety.
S is for short circuit
Arc flashes can occur for several reasons, and their frequency
is somewhat alarming. From being initiated through
accidental contact or contamination, deterioration and
corrosion of equipment, these are just a few of the many
causes of an arc – making the risks higher than many first
think.
T is for thermal energy
Flash protective clothing is designed to not only protect you
from fire but from the thermal energy generated by an arc
flash, which can also cause external and internal burns. In
fact, fabric used in arc-resistant garments must meet higher
tear resistance and tensile strength than those used for fire-
resistant clothing.
U is for underrated equipment
Using equipment that is underrated for the available short
circuit current, is another one of the many ways an arc flash
can occur.
V is for VXS+ fabrics
VXS+ fabrics are a type of material used to manufacture
arc flash garments, made from 100% inherent fibres, which
provides enhanced protection, durability and comfort. VXS+
fabrics are manufactured with a combination of yarns which
makes the garment inherently flame resistant.
W is for women’s wear
Many women are often faced with wearing either unisex
or men’s jackets, which are sizes too big and not suitably
fitted, making them bulky and often uncomfortable to wear.
Uncomfortable and baggy jackets make it all too easy and
tempting to roll up the sleeves or unfasten the jacket, which
leaves areas of the body unprotected. Additionally, ill-fitting
PPE makes it tempting to use an everyday belt to ensure a
better fit, however these are vulnerable to catching fire or
melting into the PPE.
X is for xtreme
An Arc Flash can reach extreme temperatures of up to
35,000°F, which is hotter than anything on earth. The extreme
heat can instantly burn unprotected operatives, even when
situated five or six metres away from the arc flash event.
Y is for your protection
While there’s no way to be fully protected from an arc flash
incident, protective clothing can prevent the most fatal
of consequences. If worn correctly, arc flash protective
clothing and equipment can help to prevent serious injury
and fatalities. With arc flash clothing and materials having
separate and more extensive safety standards than those
required for flame retardant clothing.
Z is for zip
It’s important to ensure that your garment fastenings are arc
flash resistant. ThermSAFE durable fastenings mean every
zip, stitch, button, popper and press-stud is flame resistant,
providing enhanced and effective arc flash protection. n
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