INSIGHTS
The recent changes to NFPA 70E for the global electrical engineering industry are helping businesses protect themselves from the risk of Arc Flash incidents in the workplace by improving the safety of the equipment being used in the field and the risk assessment procedures.
The threshold incident energy level that was used to determine if extra effort was needed to de-energize the equipment to prevent an arc flash or arc blast was removed from the regulations in accordance to the new changes to NFPA 70E.
The recent changes to NFPA 70E for the global electrical engineering industry included the addition of regulations regarding the protection of the workers' hands and arms and the protection of the field equipment so that businesses can protect themselves from the risk of Arc Flash incidents.
The NFPA 70E for the global electrical engineering industry have recently addressed the use of new technology and safety concerns such as new tables for risk assessment and arc equipment. These changes are oriented towards businesses to help them protect themselves from the risk of Arc Flash incidents in the workplace. More information on the topic has been presented below.
The recent changes to NFPA 70E for the global electrical engineering industry are helping businesses protect themselves from the risk of Arc Flash incidents in the workplace by improving the safety of the equipment being used in the field and the risk assessment procedures.
The threshold incident energy level that was used to determine if extra effort was needed to de-energize the equipment to prevent an arc flash or arc blast was removed from the regulations in accordance to the new changes to NFPA 70E.
The recent changes to NFPA 70E for the global electrical engineering industry included the addition of regulations regarding the protection of the workers' hands and arms and the protection of the field equipment so that businesses can protect themselves from the risk of Arc Flash incidents.
The NFPA 70E for the global electrical engineering industry have recently addressed the use of new technology and safety concerns such as new tables for risk assessment and arc equipment. These changes are oriented towards businesses to help them protect themselves from the risk of Arc Flash incidents in the workplace. More information on the topic has been presented below.
OVERVIEW OF HOW THE RECENT CHANGES ARE HELPING
The recent changes made in 2018 to NFPA 70E for the global electrical engineering industry are helping to address the additional changes that occur due to the use of new technology. The safety concerns in the workplace were also addressed. The changes are focused on making information more relevant and easy to use for normal operations in the industry field and workplaces. New tables for risk assessment and arc equipment are being implemented by companies in the field in order to reduce the risk of Arc Flash incidents.
The recent changes made in 2018 to NFPA 70E for the global electrical engineering industry are helping to address the additional changes that occur due to the use of new technology. The safety concerns in the workplace were also addressed. The changes are focused on making information more relevant and easy to use for normal operations in the industry field and workplaces. New tables for risk assessment and arc equipment are being implemented by companies in the field in order to reduce the risk of Arc Flash incidents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE REGULATIONS
The preexisting tables containing the regulations have been changed and updated with new tables. A brief description of those regulations has been presented below.
Table 130.5 (C) - The purpose of this table is to estimate the occurrence of an Arc Flash incident. Another purpose of the table is to estimate if Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or other protective measures need to be taken.
Table 130.5 (G) - The table provides a guide for the PPE based on the arc flash warning.
Table 130.7 (A) - The 40 cal/cm^2 incident energy threshold was used to determine if extra effort was needed to de-energize the equipment to prevent an arc flash or arc blast. The threshold value has now been del eted.
Table 130.7 (C)(7) Hand and Arm Protection - This table covers information on when it is permitted to use rubber insulating gloves without the need for leather protec tors.
Table 130.7 (C)(10) Arc Flash Equipment - This table ensures that Arc Flash foot protection is a necessary part of PPE.
The preexisting tables containing the regulations have been changed and updated with new tables. A brief description of those regulations has been presented below.
Table 130.5 (C) - The purpose of this table is to estimate the occurrence of an Arc Flash incident. Another purpose of the table is to estimate if Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or other protective measures need to be taken.
Table 130.5 (G) - The table provides a guide for the PPE based on the arc flash warning.
Table 130.7 (A) - The 40 cal/cm^2 incident energy threshold was used to determine if extra effort was needed to de-energize the equipment to prevent an arc flash or arc blast. The threshold value has now been de
Table 130.7 (C)(7) Hand and Arm Protection - This table covers information on when it is permitted to use rubber insulating gloves without the need for leather prote
Table 130.7 (C)(10) Arc Flash Equipment - This table ensures that Arc Flash foot protection i
HOW THE CHANGES TO THE REGULATIONS WILL HELP BUSINESSES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES
The updated tables will help the field workers as they can be used to assess the risk of Arc Flash incidents. A condition that must be followed was added after the changes. The condition is that the equipment in the field must be checked to see if they are working in normal condition. If any equipment is not functioning in normal condition, the workers are not allowed to use the equipment. This minimizes the risks among the field workers and ultimately help the business.
Before the changes were made, anything below the incident energy threshold of 40 cal/m^2 was considered to be safe. This was found to be false; therefore, the threshold incident energy value has now been removed from the regulations as it was not a good factor for determining what is safe in the field and what is not.
The updated tables will help the field workers as they can be used to assess the risk of Arc Flash incidents. A condition that must be followed was added after the changes. The condition is that the equipment in the field must be checked to see if they are working in normal condition. If any equipment is not functioning in normal condition, the workers are not allowed to use the equipment. This minimizes the risks among the field workers and ultimately help the business.
Before the changes were made, anything below the incident energy threshold of 40 cal/m^2 was considered to be safe. This was found to be false; therefore, the threshold incident energy value has now been removed from the regulations as it was not a good factor for determining what is safe in the field and what is not.
According to the new updates to NFPA 70E, the use of rubber insulating gloves without leather protectors has been regulated to lower the risk of injury from the Arc Flash incidents. The changes include the addition of dielectric footwear as a choice for foot protection against such incidents.
OUTCOMES FOR A BUSINESS AS A RESULT OF THESE CHANGES
A busi ness can implement the new changes and regulations in order to determine the appropriate protection according to the incident energy exposure levels. As an outcome of the removal of the threshold energy level, the field workers have to determine on their own if any equipment needs to be de-energized before it can be worked on again. The new regulation brings a change in the operation o f businesses as workers now have to check the condition of the equipment even when the incident energy level is below 40 cal/m^2.
Implementing the new changes will reduce the risk of injury from arc shock when using rubber insulating gloves. The field workers are allowed to wear heavy-duty leather footwear, dielectric footwear, or both for protection from Arc Flash incidents. Therefore, businesses will benefit from these, as they have increased the safety of the workers and the equipment.
A busi
Implementing the new changes will reduce the risk of injury from arc shock when using rubber insulating gloves. The field workers are allowed to wear heavy-duty leather footwear, dielectric footwear, or both for protection from Arc Flash incidents. Therefore, businesses will benefit from these, as they have increased the safety of the workers and the equipment.