Canadian Occupational Safety

April/May 2015 23 April/May 2015 23 will provide the rules and tools for energized electrical equipment. Even the most robust corporate safety management systems may not effectively cover off arc fl ash and electrical hazards. Electrical safety auditing on both an employer's electrical safety program and fi eldwork is a strict requirement of CSA Z462 Workplace Electrical Safety and shall be documented. assessing tHe HaZard The latest edition of CSA Z462, published in January, requires an arc fl ash risk assessment. This process is used to determine if an arc fl ash hazard exists (hazard identifi cation), estimating the potential severity of injury or damage to health and estimating the likelihood of the occurrence. Risk is defi ned as being a combination of the severity and likelihood. The requirement to perform an arc fl ash risk assessment is a fundamental part of any comprehensive electrical safety program. Different types of risk assessment processes can be used including the arc fl ash PPE category method within the CSA Z462-15 standard. The arc fl ash PPE category method requires the use of tables from within the CSA Z462-15 standard. The following steps are completed when using this method: • Determine if arc fl ash PPE is required through arc fl ash hazard identifi cation (work task and equipment condition). • Determine arc fl ash PPE categories for AC and DC systems (equipment types, voltage levels and specifi c electrical parameters). • Outline arc fl ash PPE and other personal protective equipment requirements for each of the arc fl ash PPE categories (1-4). The incident energy analysis method requires the use of engineering based calculations using the IEEE 1584 standard to estimate the incident energy exposure level. Arc fl ash PPE is then selected based on the incident energy so the arc rating matches or exceeds the incident energy calculated. PPE is one of the most readily available solutions to protect workers; however, it should be used as a last line of defense. Arc fl ash PPE consists of specially designed and appropriately tested products suitable for use by workers that need protection from the heat of an arc fl ash hazard. Employers are required to ensure workers within the arc fl ash boundary wear appropriate full body protection when it is determined that arc fl ash PPE is necessary based on an arc fl ash risk assessment. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different arc fl ash PPE products available on the market. Arc-rated PPE product segments include clothing, face shields, arc fl ash suits, outerwear and specialized equipment. All arc- rated PPE is available with the associated laboratory testing documentation — employers just need to ask for it. Unlike shock protective PPE, arc fl ash PPE doesn't require recertifi cation. At the very least, all arc-rated PPE shall indicate compliance with ASTM F1506, which outlines performance specifi cation for fl ame resistant and arc fl ash textiles specifi cally for electrical workers. The product label is the best indication of its compliance, but only destructive testing can verify a manufacturer's claims. Training is also an important component and there are several formats available, including on-the-job, e-learning, instructor-led and blended learning (e-learning and instructor-led training). Both e-learning and instructor-led training formats can be considered classroom training, either in the traditional sense or virtual. Any worker exposed to electrical hazards in the workplace requires adequate training suitable for their role and appropriate for the risk of their exposure. This includes both electrical and non-electrical workers. Jim Pollard is a member of several technical committees, including CSA Z462. He is the owner of Unlimited PPE in Stoney Creek, Ont., and he can be reached at jim@unlimitedppe.com or (905) 573-0300. technical terms lies a simple explanation electrical hazard a l p h a b e t s o u p BASIC INDUSTRY TERMINOLOGY Technical Terminology Simple Explanation CSA Z462 and NFPA 70E Workplace electrical safety standards for Canada (CSA) and the United States (NFPA). These best practice standards are technically harmonized and follow the same revision cycle (every three years). Arc fl ash PPE Personal protective equipment (PPE) designed and tested to provide protection from the heat created by an arc fl ash hazard. Calories per square Measurement of heat imposed on a centimeter (cal/cm 2 ) surface area that is used to describe both the heat from an arc fl ash hazard (incident energy) and the protection provided by arc fl ash PPE (arc ratings). Incident energy Heat created by an arc fl ash measured as calories per square centimeter (cal/cm 2 ). Incident energy can be estimated using engineering calculations. Arc fl ash risk assessment A requirement in CSA Z462 or NFPA 70E used as a process of identifying if an arc fl ash hazard exists, (if yes) determine safety related work practices, arc fl ash boundary and the arc fl ash PPE required. Hazard/risk category (HRC) Old method that is no longer relevant that involved using tables from CSA Z462 or NFPA 70E to select arc fl ash and shock PPE for various work tasks and equipment. Arc fl ash PPE category New method of using the tables from CSA Z462 or NFPA 70E to identify when arc fl ash PPE is required and (if required) select arc fl ash PPE based on different types of equipment. Detailed equipment label Applied to electrical equipment to communicate important information related to the arc fl ash and shock hazards. Either the incident energy or the arc fl ash PPE category (but not both) are used to identify the potential arc fl ash hazard severity. Arc ratings The protection provided by protective clothing and other types of PPE from the heat (incident energy) created by an arc fl ash. Determined by testing and reported on the product label. Types of arc ratings • Arc thermal performance value (ATPV): Expressed using cal/cm 2 to identify the incident energy level at which there is a 50 per cent probability of suffi cient heat transfer to cause the onset of a second-degree skin burn injury. • Breakopen threshold energy (Ebt): Expressed using cal/cm 2 that identifi es the incident energy level at which there is a 50 per cent probability of the formation of holes or tears in the garment layer closest to the skin. communicate important information related to the arc fl ash and shock hazards. Either the incident energy or the arc fl ash PPE category (but not both) are used to identify the potential arc fl ash hazard severity. communicate important information related to the arc fl ash and shock hazards. Either the incident energy or the arc fl ash PPE category (but not both) are used to identify the potential arc fl ash hazard severity.

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