Arc Flash Hazard Labeling Do's And Don'ts
"The 2009 NFPA 70E and Canada's 2008 Z462 are the consensus North American electrical safety standards. Both standards require arc flash hazard labeling to warn persons of the potential danger near electrical equipment. The requirement for arc flash hazard labeling is found in NFPA 70E Article 130.3(C), Z462 Article 4.3.3.4, the National Electrical Code, Article 110.16, the CEC part 1 Rule 2-306, and in OSHA 1910.335(b)(1) for general safety hazards.
There are as many different ways equipment has been labeled, as there are engineers and electricians in industry. Unfortunately, many of the methods being used are incorrect. Incorrect labeling methods may actually decrease worker safety, while increasing a company's liability should an accident occur. Several concepts should be kept in mind when developing an arc flash hazard labeling program.
A labeling program should not be used to label for energized work, but rather to warn of the potential hazard for each equipment. Labeling to ""assess"" a hazard, select PPE levels, or perform energized work based on the information provided on the label can lead employees to bypass other safety requirements such as work permits, work procedures and job briefings. Arc flash hazard labels should always reflect the worst case energy or PPE requirement for that equipment at a standard 18 inch working distance. Labeling for an increased distance such as 24 or 36 inches can lead to misapplication of the label for other work tasks and thereby increase liability.
All arc flash hazard labeling should comply with ANSI Z535.4 labeling formats. Deviation from this industry standard with custom labels leads to increased training requirements and potential confusion for offsite contractors and engineers. In any accident involving litigation, custom labels open the door to increased liability.
Most electrical software and/or arc flash software provides ANSI Z535.4 labeling formats and output directly to industrial strength label machines.
The following is a brief summary of the do's and don'ts of arc flash hazard labeling.
Do's
1. Do label ""WORST"" case energy or PPE level. Consider all possible modes of operation.
2. Do label per ANSI Z535.4
3. Do label using only one color, Orange for Warning or Red for Danger.
4. Do standardize on only one working distance - preferably 18 inches for all labels in a facility.
5. Manage down PPE levels using work permits stating increased distances based on work task and proper safety procedures.
6. Label to warn of potential danger, not for the purpose of working on the equipment.
7. Do use common sense in your hazard labeling.
8. Do implement NFPA 70E Article 130.1 work permit requirements for all energized work, even if a label is present.
Don'ts
1. Don't label each MCC bucket, breaker/fuse cubicle, or plug-in (busway).
2. Don't label using colors for PPE level.
3. Don't label with multiple distances or PPE levels on the same equipment.
4. Don't make it complicated.
5. Don't substitute labeling for NFPA 70E Article 130.1 work permit requirements.
Proper arc flash hazard labeling is not difficult, if you have the proper electrical software or arc flash software to model your electrical system, and you follow the guidelines above.
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