ARC FLASH LABELING GUIDEA GUIDE TO PROPERLY LABELING ARC FLASH HAZARDS ACCORDING TO NFPA 70E®

2012 NFPA 70E®: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®
OSHA requires safe work practices, but it is the NFPA 70E®: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® that specifies safe work practices for arc flash. NFPA 70E
Article 130.5(C) requires arc flash warning labels to be posted on each piece of electrical equipment that may be worked on while energized, or when verifying power is off.

Minimum label requirements:1) At least one of the following:a) Available incident energy and the corresponding working distanceb) Minimum arc rating of clothingc) Required level of PPEd) Highest Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) for the equipment

2) Nominal system voltage
3) Arc flash boundary
In addition, the method of calculating and data to support theinformation for the label shall be documented.

Exception: Labels applied prior to September 30, 2011, are acceptable if they contain the available incident energy or required level of PPE.

Unfortunately, putting only the minimum required information on the label can leave workers without essential information. It makes more sense to include all of theinformation, including incident energy, hazard risk category, required level of PPE and the specific PPE items required. In addition, it is good practice to include
shock and arc flash boundaries, available fault current, voltage level and assessment date.

WARNING

Arc Flash Boundary

Arc Flash Boundary is an approach limit at a
distance from exposed live parts within which aperson could receive a second degree burn if anelectric arc flash were to occur.

Required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)Employees working in areas where electrical hazards
are present are to be provided with and use Arc-Rated(AR) protective equipment that is designed andconstructed for the specific part of the body to beprotected and for the work to be performed.

Hazard Risk Category
The Hazard Risk Category level is determined by ATPV(Arc Thermal Performance Value). ATPV is the measure(in cal/cm2) of how much heat can be exposed to aflame resistant garment before a second degree burninjury is expected to occur. HRC is based on specificjob tasks and ranges from HRC 0 (which is low risk andallows for 100% untreated cotton), up to HRC 4 (whichis high risk and requires Arc-Rated clothing with aminimum arc rating of 40).

Incident Energy

Incident Energy is a measure of thermal energy at aworking distance from an arc fault (measured incal/cm2). The working distance is the distance from
where the worker stands to the flash location (commonly18 inches). The incident energy is a function of system
voltage, available short-circuit current, arc current, andthe time required for circuit protective devices to open.

Glove ClassElectrical safety gloves are categorized by the level ofvoltage protection they provide and whether or notthey're resistant to ozone. Voltage protection is broken
down into six classes. Class 00 is the least protective,
while class 4 provides the most protection.

Arc Flash & Shock Hazard
Appropriate PPE Required

ARC FLASH PROTECTION BOUNDARY AND REQUIRED PPEFlash Hazard Boundry:
Incident Energy at 18" (cal/cm2):

89 inchHazard Risk Category: Class 3

16.4

Glove Class:00

Required PPE: Cotton Underwear + AR Shirt & Pants + AR Coverall + Hearing ProtectionSHOCK HAZARD PROTECTION BOUNDARIES
Shock Hazard: 480 VAC
Limited Approach: 42 inch

Restricted Approach: 42 inch

Equipment ID: Bus: C-H Prot: MCB C-H

Prohibited Approach: 1 inch
Assessment Date: 6/12/11

Sample Arc Flash Hazard Label

Shock Hazard

Shock Hazard, measured in VAC, is a dangerous electrical condition associated with thepossible release of energy caused by contact or approach to energized parts.

Limited Approach

The limited approach boundary should be entered only by qualified persons orunqualified persons that have been advised and are escorted by a qualified person.

Restricted Approach

The restricted approach boundary should be entered only by qualified persons.
Requires the use of shock protection techniques and PPE

Prohibited Approach

The prohibited approach boundary should be entered only by qualified persons.
Requires same protection as if in direct contact with live part.

Assessment Date

Arc flash hazard assessment must be reviewed at least every 3 years or when a major
modification occurs. This means that the label should include a documented date.

Creative Safety Supply| phone: 1-866-777-1360 | fax: 330-777-8818
www.creativesafetysupply.com | email: info@creativesafetysupply.com

ARC FLASH LABELING GUIDEA GUIDE TO PROPERLY LABELING ARC FLASH HAZARDS ACCORDING TO NFPA 70E®

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Creative Safety Supply| phone: 1-866-777-1360 | fax: 330-777-8818
www.creativesafetysupply.com | email: info@creativesafetysupply.com