Yesterday OSHA released new guidance on Electric-Arc Flash Hazards (Click here for OSHA guidance). This marks the first such update in nearly 20 years.
The guidance is the product of several years of advocacy from the Partnership for Electrical Safety, which is led by Scott Margolin of Tyndale. See Tyndale’s release on the guidance (here). Scott will be providing a webinar to cover this new guidance on December 17, 2024 at 1pm. Please visit the Safety + Health Webinar Landing Page to register.
The guidance is made up of four parts, and is aimed at debunking two very dangerous misunderstandings – claiming the work is deenergized (when most work is not), and choosing to work energized on lower voltage equipment and assuming there is no danger. The four-part guidance is comprised of one detailed document for employers and three separate one-page documents for workers. The employer document provides details for how implementing a robust safety and health program can serve to protect workers from arc flash hazards.
The three worker one-pagers cover specific areas:
- Debunking common myths about Electrical Work
- Understanding and establishing Arc Flash Boundaries
- Being Aware of Arc Flash Hazards
We hope that this new guidance will drive broader compliance with AR clothing programs, which will seed innovation in the protective clothing to meet the growing demand. Kinectrics and the ArcWear division remain committed to providing the highest quality arc flash testing in the world. If you have questions about your arc flash PPE, please send them to our team of experts at [email protected]. And if you need to submit new materials for Arc Ratings, our Test Request Form can be filled online.