An arc is called an arc when an electrical current jumps through the air between two points. Do you remember the last time you reached for a doorknob and felt shocked? That was an arc.
Arc flashes are a severe danger to workplace safety, making it essential for every employer to have a comprehensive assessment to prevent damages and injuries. Integrating the NFPA 70E can help you label any equipment that poses a threat of an arc flash so anyone working with the equipment will be aware of the danger.
Here is how to maximize your workplace by using the NFPA 70E arc flash standards:
Integrating NFPA 70E Arc Flash Standards
- Understanding The Regulatory Framework
If equipment systems are designed to facilitate safety and efficiency, your workplace is the best place to be. Understanding the regulatory framework to interplay electrical safety regulations in equipment planning, installation, and maintenance is vital.
According to the NFPA 70E arc flash standards, employers are restricted from allowing employees to work near electrical power circuits with arc flash warnings. An employee working near such a circuit must be protected against shock by grounding, insulating, or de-energizing it.
- Functional and Operational Considerations
Creating an electrical system for a facility requires critical thinking and considering different elements to make it functional. A sound system is designed according to the workplace’s easy operation, maintenance, and modification needs.
The NFPA 70E arc flash standards require the designer to create an uninterrupted electrical power source for service continuity. It would help if you had operational and maintenance groups that understand their role in protecting your workplace from unexpected power outages.
Workers performing daily maintenance are exposed to arc flashes and must be protected. At Benchmark, we recommend that employees execute a preventive maintenance program by installing site windows to minimize worker exposure.
- Modifications and Additions
Your company might need to modify the equipment’s computer program to accommodate different office production processes. When reprograming a system, a worker must open the control panel, exposing them to arc flash. You can, however, install the computer port outside the control panel to maximize workplace safety.
You can also facilitate installation, repair, and maintenance by designing a protective device adjacent to the control panel. This changes the specifications to a main plug panel instead of the main circuit breaker.
The wireway is a recommended technique for providing safety and efficiency in the workplace. Installing this technique makes modifications and additions easy. If an additional circuit is required at the data center, the worker removes the wireway cover, creates space for the cable, and installs the extra circuit.
- Training Workers on NFPA 70E Arc Flash Standards
Arc flash is a terrifying experience; you must train your employees to take preventive measures. When workers comprehend the NFPA 70E arc flash standards, they know what to do in case of a concern.
This training is done for employees in companies prone to electrical hazards. It involves identifying risks, wearing appropriate protective gear, following safety rules, and responding to emergencies.
Conclusion
Integrating the NFPA 70E arc flash standards is the best way to deal with electrical problems at your workplace. This technique maximizes safety by observing all protocols during installation and maintenance.
