How do plants protect operators from Arc Flash?

'Arc Flash' occurs when electric arcs are formed during fault conditions in switchgear: TAS is conducting a survey to assess the level of knowledge and establish 'Best Practice' for worker protection

Judith Hackitt CBE (Chair of the Health and Safety Commission) said on the 29th April 2008, at a conference on major hazards in London, entitled "Leading from the top - avoiding major incidents" - that the HSC would like to see UK companies sharing 'good practice' on known hazardous events, and circulating these between themselves - both internally within companies and with the wider industrial community (http://www.hse.gov.uk/leadership/mhconference.htm).

TAS Engineering Consultants are one of very few companies in the UK who regularly conduct and advise on electrical arc flash protection and potential hazards for UK based clients.

There is quoted to be a huge amount of interest in this subject at the moment throughout the UK Electrical Engineering and Safety Management Community, and as a leading member of this community TAS wish to take the lead to establish the 'Best Practice', and take the steps towards avoiding any incidents.

Arc Flash occurs when electric arcs are formed during fault conditions in switchgear.

The arc can pose a significant risk to both personnel and plant, and injuries can be caused by the intense thermal radiation, pressure (blast) waves, molten material and noxious gases produced by such arcs.

Serious burns and fatalities have both occurred as a result, in the UK.

A separate effect is that switchgear can be damaged and be out of operation for significant periods, causing plant shutdowns.

TAS, through their MD John Maplesden, have presented papers on the subject at various events, such as the HazardEx series of conferences, see http://www.processingtalk.com/news/whp/whp205.html, and published relevant papers, see http://www.processingtalk.com/news/tar/tar100.html.

Now TAS wish to take the lead in discussing this important area and assessing the level of knowledge about Arc Flash hazards in industry, to understand what plant operators are doing to mitigate the possible dangers, and protect their workforce (such as by use of the proper PPE, Personal Protective Equipment).

The objective will be to create a network that can share good practice amongst the user community.

RESPONDENTS ARE NEEDED!.

Initially the survey is being conducted by mailing the questionnaire to UK engineers in industries that are higher power users, (the mailing will go out in June) and there is also an on-line survey form on the TAS website, http://www.tas.co.uk/researcharcflash.

Respondents from overseas are welcome, but their experiences, attitudes and knowledge of arc flash hazards may be reported separately, to see and identify where differences exist compared to UK practice.

Following the collation and analysis of the information, the aim is to share the results and point to the best 'Good Practice' on such electrical safety intelligence within UK industry.

The results will be presented by TAS in the form of:.

* White papers and articles submitted to industry publications - sharing findings and identifying the proposed future 'Best Practice'.

* Presentations at conferences, seminars, industry association meetings, road shows and peer forums/fora.

Undoubtedly Processingtalk will provide information outlining the survey results as well, following the planned closing date for the survey, which is 20th June.

Please fill in the survey form, if you use high voltage or high current switchgear: 'Nil' returns and requests for more information are as important as complex knowledgeable answers: the survey results will be totally anonymous.

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