Arc Flash and Electrical Work Resources
Arc Flash Label Poster
Electrical Safety Industry Standards
NFPA 70E
Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
link to purchase from NFPA
View Online (Free NFPA Account Required)
NFPA 70 (NEC)
National Electrical Code
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NFPA 70B
Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance
link to purchase from NFPA
View Online (Free NFPA Account Required)
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
1910.137 (Personal Protective Equipment – Electrical Protective Equipment)
1910.147 (General Environmental Controls – The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout))
1910.269 (Special Industries – Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution)
1910.331 (Electrical – Scope)
1910.332 (Electrical – Training)
1910.333 (Electrical – Selection and use of work practices)
1910.334 (Electrical – Use of equipment)
1910.335 (Electrical – Safeguards for personnel protection)
Case Studies and Electrical Safety Advice
Prevention of Arc Flash Accidents
Arc flash accidents can be highly dangerous and can cause severe burns, electrocution, and even death. Therefore, to ensure workplace safety, it is essential to take steps to prevent arc flash...
Arc Flash Assessment Basics
What is an Arc Flash? An arc flash is usually caused by human error or a fault in the electrical system which creates a short circuit. When a fault occurs in the system, the electrical energy is...
The 5 Key Ingredients You Need For A Successful Arc Flash Study
Introduction An arc flash study is a crucial part of any electrical safety program. It is required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E standard for assessing the risk of arc flash...
What is Infinite Bus Method (for transformer fault current)?
Arc flash calculations have to start at the source of power. If a facility is powered from a generator then generator characteristics are the starting point. If a facility is powered from a utility,...
Major Advantage to Following Arc Flash Reduction Recommendations
An arc flash evaluation that Rozel performed identified a high arc flash hazard. After analysis, we were able to recommend a simple setting change which ultimately saved the day and likely prevented...
Just de-energizing can get you hurt
Tragic Event That Could Have Been Avoided U.S. Department of Labor investigators determined the 33-year-old employee of an Alabama Cabinet company was electrocuted when he came into contact with a...
Does my arc flash clothing still protect me if it gets wet?
If there is an arc flash will the moisture in the clothing turn into steam and burn you? Typically arc flash clothing becomes wet or damp due to perspiration or working outdoors in the weather. In...
Why Perform an Arc Flash Evaluation?
Consider this comparison: Seatbelts used to be optional but are now enforced and regular practice; calculating arc flash values were once impossible but are now saving lives. Once standardized...
Oil Testing Can Cause Transformer Failures
Power distribution and other types of transformers can have their internal windings and core submersed in oil. The oil is passed through a radiator mounted to the outside of the transformer...
Category Method vs Incident Energy Calculations
There's a disconnect, or rather an improper connection that workers make between categories and values calculated when using the incident energy method. A worker should not correlate categories with...
How To Read An Arc Flash Label
Arc Flash/shock hazard warning labels are specifically designed to help protect qualified workers who have to examine, adjust, service, or maintain electrical equipment while energized. It is...
How many labels should go on my equipment?
We have discussed where labels should be placed (see this link). Now its time to discuss our methodology behind applying appropriate labels as a result of calculations and best practices. Typically...
Understanding OSHA Deenergizing Rules
Fatalities that are Easily Preventable I was recently reviewing OSHA accident investigation data from 2020, In one case an employee was pulling wire into an electrical cabinet. At some point, the...
Can Electrical Workers Wear Steel toes?
Can Electricians Wear Steel Toe Shoes? A question we often receive when performing the PPE section of our electrical safety training has to do with steel toes shoes or boots. Can Electricians Wear...
Is electrical equipment considered de-energized with a voltage present on the line side of the disconnect?
Is electrical equipment considered de-energized even though there is a voltage present on the line side of the open disconnect? In this month’s safety tip, we are going to answer a frequently...
Insulated Tools Reduces Risk to Electrical Workers
What are insulated tools and why do I need them? Insulated tools are hand tools used by electrical workers, designed to reduce the risk of electric shock, electrocution, and arc flash. The use of...
What should an electrical hazard label look like?
NFPA 70E doesn't offer a lot of guidance for what a label should look like. They give us a description of the types of equipment which are to receive a label and a minimum amount of information...
Obvious Areas for Concern – Arc Flash Hazards
There are some obvious areas that typically result with high arc flash hazards. When we walk through a facility for the first time, we will notice these areas and immediately realize that we may...
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is PPE required when working on 120-volt circuits? NFPA 70E ® 130.4(F)(1) states the qualified worker’s hands must be insulated or the energized parts must be guarded before they can enter the...
Is PPE required when working on 120-volt circuits?
One of the more common tasks for an industrial electrician is to troubleshoot energized terminal points in 120-volt control panels. When machines stop running control circuits can be the first place...
Rozel Offsite Evaluations
Qualifications for Offsite Evaluations An Offsite evaluation means that the customer performs the data collection instead of Rozel sending a technician, then Rozel mails labels for the customer to...
Hazards can exist when working below 1.2 cal/cm^2
Q. Can we suffer a burn from an arc flash if the incident energy is less than 1.2 calories per centimeter squared? A. Yes, hazards can still exist at this level although, it’s important to...
Where should an electrical hazard label be placed on a piece of equipment?
The latest edition of NFPA 70E (2021) does not specify “where” the label must go (nor have previous versions). It only indicates which type of equipment must receive a label and what must be on the...
Blast Pressure above 40 cal/cm^2 [Can I work on it?]
We have had customers ask about the blast pressure above 40 cal/cm^2. We've heard that being in an arc flash of this size will cause instant death from the blast pressure or an arc flash of this...
IMPORTANT UPDATE IN NFPA 70E 2021 EDITION
Operating a circuit breaker or switch for the first time after installation or completion of maintenance in equipment - Is now identified as "Yes" for requiring additional protective measures (i.e....
The 2021 Edition of NFPA 70E
NFPA 70E Revised Edition For 2021 The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) updates their Electrical Safety in the Workplace standard NFPA 70E® every 3 years. Since the last edition was...
Taking Care of Your Electrical PPE
NFPA70E article 130.7(B) Care of Equipment discusses the basic requirements for the care and maintenance of electrical personal protective equipment. Because this equipment may save a life one day...
Overhead Power Line Safety
Every year many workers are injured or electrocuted due to direct or indirect contact with overhead power lines. In fact, over 40% of all U.S. electrical fatalities involve contact with overhead...
Why do I need an Arc Flash Evaluation?
Here is a little background about the guidelines we work with. They will help explain why you need an evaluation: Rozel's service proposals are written in accordance with the requirements of the...
Newsletter Subscription
Arc Flash gear and Covid-19
Arc flash gear and Covid-19 The Covid-19 pandemic has created some new challenges for all of us. One of the more complicated problems for electrical workers maybe how to stay safe from the dual...
Electric shocks can lead to deadly falls
I recently read a news story where a worker at a medical center suffered from a fatal fall. The worker was changing a fluorescent light ballast with the power on was shocked and fell to his death....
Virtual Classroom Open Enrollment Schedule
Virtual Webinar Training ScheduleVirtual Webinar Training ScheduleFebuary 17, 2023March 24, 2023April 21, 2023May 12, 2023June 16, 2023
What happens while technicians are on-site?
The date has been set and one or two of our technicians will soon be at your door. What happens when they arrive? Kick-Off First, as required by NFPA 70E, we’ll have a short safety meeting. During...
Should Transformers be Labeled?
As an electrical technician for Rozel I have had hundreds of conversations with Plant managers, safety directors, and maintenance personnel about the labeling process once the evaluation is...
Live Online Training
Attend LIVE Instructor Led Electrical Safety Training By Entering Our Web-Based Classroom Rozel is now offering our great instructor-led classroom training via a web link. This is the perfect...
Maximum Available Fault Current… What is it?
Maximum Available Fault Current... What is it? Have you ever noticed "Interrupting Rating" on the front of a breaker? Take a look at the highlighted area of the 60A breaker picture below: If this...
Are Leather Protectors Required?
Voltage rated gloves must be used when performing work on exposed energized conductors greater than 50V but do you have to wear leather protectors? The answer is made clear by OSHA...
Arc Flash Size
What causes an arc flash to be big or small? We calculate arc flash "size" by following the equations described in IEEE 1584 2018. These equations are based on real life testing and measuring of arc...
Different Fault Current Values in the Same Panel
Sometimes components in our reports might indicate a higher fault current than what is calculated at the bus in which the components are attached to. Below is a high level explanation as to why this...
Does Safety Training Qualify or Certify my Employees?
Does Safety Training Qualify or Certify my Employees? We are often asked, "does your or any other electrical safety training qualify or certify someone to work on electrical equipment"? The simple...
Basics of Arc Rated Clothing Layering
Wearing arc rated clothing over the top of other arc rated clothing is commonly referred to as layering. Layering can be an effective way of increasing protection from arc flash hazards while...
How many hours of training are required per NFPA 70E?
If you are one of the many who is trying to decide how to provide electrical safety training for your employees, you are not alone. We are often asked how many hours of training are required per...
When 500V gloves are not good enough for 480V work
Rozel recommends that electrical workers wear class 0 (1,000-volt max use) rubber insulating gloves when working within the restricted approach boundary of exposed energized electrical conductors or...
Are you as Safe at Home as you are at work?
Being Safe at Home is just as important as when you're at work. Are you renovating your house? Maybe you are helping your neighbor troubleshoot an outlet that doesn't work. Although OSHA...
Oil Field Electrical Safety
The one thing that pops into my mind when I hear someone talking about American being great is our ability to develop technology to overcome some of our most difficult problems. A great example...
6 Steps to NFPA 70E Compliance
The following excerpt is from an article that was published in the April edition of Professional Safety magazine the journal of the American Society of Safety Engineers. To download the...
Prevent Dangerous Shocks With an Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program
What is an Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program? An assured equipment grounding conductor program is an OSHA and NFPA 70E requirement that ensures the safety of temporary power cord sets...
How reducing clearing time reduces arc flash hazards
What is clearing time? Ok, you’ve completed your arc flash study and now all your electrical equipment is affixed with arc flash hazard warning labels. You may notice that the incident energy values...
How often should I test my voltage rated gloves?
"How often should I test my voltage rated gloves?" This is a question that frequently comes up during our electrical safety training classes. Misinterpreting the rules requiring dielectric testing...
New GFCIs provide better shock protection for you and your employees.
120-volt Ground Fault Current Interrupters have saved countless lives since their inception back in the early 1970’s. GFCIs provide shock protection by monitoring the current on the “hot” wire of an...
A Mouse Took Down My Factory
A mouse took down my factory! Can you believe it? Preventative maintenance increases safety and understanding your equipment can help keep you safe. Preventative maintenance can help ensure...
“Arc Flash Fuses”
A potential customer called into our engineering department one day from the middle of Iowa. “I was just told by a fuse salesman that if I buy his arc flash fuses that I don’t have to worry...
Holding Contractors Accountable
Rozel trains your employees how to work on electrical equipment safely, but what about your contractors? You can’t train your contractors and you can’t always watch them but you can hold them...
Catastrophe Avoided
We conducted an arc flash evaluation on a factory, almost a million square feet and nine main transformers supplying up to 30MVA of power! The final report we issued identified large potential...
Fatigue and electrical safety – 9 tips that save lives
For many years I made my living as a maintenance electrician in an automotive manufacturing plant. I loved the work. It was rewarding, paid well and because the automotive industry is always at the...
Arc flash gloves: Understanding the differences can save a life
By Brian HallThe following article on arc flash gloves is featured in the July issue of ASSE's Professional Safety Magazine. Insulating vs Arc-Rated Gloves No other piece of electrical PPE has...
6 Critical Steps for a Safe Lock and Tag Process
When working on or near electrical equipment, the most effective means to keep workers safe is to open the disconnect switch and then apply a lock and tag. By performing this simple task, we have...
Pre-Job Briefs head off disasters
We've all heard the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". I happen to be a big believer in this statement. It is one that will serve us well if we will apply it. The...
Do Welders need electrical safety training?
I recently had a great question from one of my clients in Northeast, Ohio. Bob asked me if he needed to send his arc welding crew to the upcoming NFPA 70E based electrical safety training that I...
Over 10,000 eye injuries occur in the USA every day
According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 10,000 eye injuries occur in the USA every day. The Department of Labor has reported that approximately 2,000 of these injuries require medical...
Arc Flash Safety-understanding “working distance”
When it comes to arc flash safety, nothing may be more important to qualified electrical workers than their ability to interpret the information found on Arc Flash Warning labels. It is employer’s...
Repetitive closing of circuit breakers can be hazardous to your health
I was recently reading through an electrician’s forum on the internet. I noticed a contributed post which told of an engineer injured when he reset a 480-volt molded case breaker. The breaker was...
Tips to ease the pain of uncomfortable insulating gloves
It’s easy to say that no other piece of electrical PPE has saved more lives than rubber insulating gloves. Too often electricians must place their hands in energized electrical panels or near...
Need new work boots? Look for the EH Rating
A simple way to give you or your employees an extra layer of shock protection is to have them wear electrical hazard (EH) rated shoes or work boots EH shoes or work boots offer shock protection from...
Don’t let your meter blow up in your hand
During a recent training class, a student shared a story that is all too common. His meter blew-up in his hand. There can be many reasons for this to happen but one of the most prevalent is...
Tips for laundering your electrical safety gear
When teaching electrical safety classes I always seem to get the same question, “Can I launder my own electrical safety gear”? In my lesson plan I discuss this subject in great detail and advises...
Safety Made Simple With a Proving Unit
NFPA 70E 120.5(7) Requires test instruments be verified as working satisfactorily on any know live source prior to and after the verification of an absence of voltage. Unverified voltmeters can be...
Noncontact Voltage Detector Safety
I recently saw an electrician using a noncontact type voltage detector to verify the absence of voltage while replacing ballasts in an office building. He was standing on a ladder and waving the...
Demystify the Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor program (AEGC)
The simple AEGC program would've prevented this fatality... if it was followed Back in the mid-90s I was working as a maintenance electrician for a large aluminum forge in the Cleveland, Ohio area....
Arc flash gloves: insulated vs arc rated gloves
During a recent training session, I had a several questions concerning gloves for arc flash protection. I feel like it's important to make a quick point with hopes of clarifying a potentially...
PPC Airfoils: Training three shifts with no production downtime
PPC Airfoils is a large national company that is headquartered in Mentor, Ohio. Challenge: PPC requires intensive safety training, but runs a lean staff through three shifts The Mentor facility...
Paulo Products: BCH provides solution to St. Louis based training
Paulo Products is a heat treating and tempering company that is based in St. Louis, MO, and has a factory in Willoughby, OH. The problem: Not receiving sufficient electrical safety training as their...
EnerTech, Youngstown, Ohio, partners with BCH for outsourced training
Entertec is an electrical contracting and maintenance firm located in Youngstown. BCH Electrical Consulting partners with them to provide training to their clients. We have worked together on 5 or 6...
Three D Metals in Valley City, Ohio completes custom electrical safety course
BCH Electrical Safety Consulting would like to thank and congratulate the fantastic maintenance team at Three D Metals in Valley City, Ohio. On Friday November 4, 2016, they completed BCH’s...