A Complete Electrical Risk Assessment Method for all Electrical Hazards and its Application

Abstract

To address the hazards, risks, and controls of electrical work in all fields, recent efforts in classifying all electrical shock hazards and all arc flash hazards are presented in an approach to perform risk assessments and develop controls for all forms of electricity in all work environments. This presentation considers recent efforts in NFPA 70E, Department of Energy, and Department of Defense to address electrical hazards beyond power frequencies (50/60 Hz) in electrical systems and equipment including battery banks, solar and wind power systems, DC transmission lines, lasers, accelerators, capacitor banks, electroplating systems, induction and dielectric heating systems, etc. Industries utilizing these non-power frequency electrical hazards include chemical, power generation and transmission, aluminum and steel, military, and research. Recent work in the classification of all shock hazards and all arc flash hazards will be used to take the thresholds for various types of injuries and present a method of performing risk assessments based on energy type, work task, exposure, equipment configuration and condition, environmental considerations, and worker knowledge, experience, training and condition. This approach to risk assessment for electrical work with all electrical hazards in all work environments will then be used for the controls to prevent injury, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), training, oversight, and co-worker responsibilities. This paper presents a method of risk assessment for electrical work considering potential exposure to all forms of electricity, in all electrical work environments, for all industries. This risk assessment approach will include traditional AC power, DC, impulse, and radiofrequency sources.