The Disconnect Between Electrical Safety and Accident Prevention: Protecting Workers from Arc Flash and other Hazards

Abstract

The electrical safety climate in the united states was different 20 years ago. Many companies did not have well-developed electrical safety programs and written electrical work procedures. Electrical workers were not trained in arc-flash hazards and were not provided with arc-flash personal protective equipment (PPE). Unprotected workers were expected to perform work on and near energized circuits and equipment. Currently, most companies have established electrical safety programs and provide arc-flash training and PPE to their employees. Yet electrical injuries still occur. Electrical injuries can be attributed to 1) wellintended electrical safety programs falling short in their implementation and/or 2) workers failing to recognize the severe injury potential in a situation perceived as a low-level hazard. This article addresses some reasons why electrical safety programs fail to protect workers. It also discusses the potential arc-flash hazards associated with low-magnitude fault currents, which are illustrated through calculations.