Requirements For Electrical Installations
110.16 Flash Protection
A new Code section and two FPNs were added to provide
requirements for marking equipment where arc fault hazards may be
present. The new section reads:
Switchboards, panelboards, industrial
control panels, and motor control centers in commercial and
industrial occupancies, that are likely to require examination,
adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, must
be field marked to warn qualified persons on the danger of
electric arc flash. Figure 1104
Photo of actual blast. The marking must be clearly
visible to qualified persons before they examine, adjust,
service, or perform maintenance on the equipment. Figure
1105
FPN No. 1: NFPA 70E-2000, Electrical Safety
Requirements for Employee Workplaces, provide assistance in
determining the severity of potential exposure, planning safe
work practices, and selecting personal protective equipment.
Figure 1106
FPN No. 2: ANSI Z535.4-1998, Product Safety
Signs and Labels, provide guidelines for the design of safety
signs and labels. Figure 1107
Intent: This new section addresses the concern of protecting qualified persons
who work on energized electrical systems, by ensuring they are
notified of the arc flash hazards to assist in the selection of
proper personal protective equipment. The incident energy
for the selection of personal protective equipment under NFPA
70E is not required, just a sign warning that dangerous electric
arc flash could be present. For more information about flash protection,
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The following is an actual example of an
OSHA Citation on this subject:
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has issued citations alleging two willful
safety violations to _____ Electric Company, Detroit, Mich.,
with proposed penalties totaling $140,000.
According to Deborah Zubaty, OSHA s area director in
Columbus, Ohio; a safety inspection was initiated at a _____
Electric Company job site in Columbus on June 29, 2000, following
an accident. An employee died from injuries, which resulted
from an electrical arc blast during the installation of a
ground wire on a pole. The conductor was energized with 7,620V
phase-to-ground, 13,200V phase-to-phase.
The alleged willful violations include failure to train employees
on procedures and hazards related to working within 2 ft.
of energized power lines, failure to maintain safe approach
distances to energized lines, and failure to insulate or guard
energized parts.
Zubaty said that _____ Electric Company has 15 working days
from receipt of the citations to contest the citations and
proposed penalties with the Occupational Safety and Health
Review Commission. The company may also request an informal
hearing with the OSHA area director.
Authors Comment: OSHA defines
a willful violation as one in which the employer either knowingly
failed to comply with a legal requirement or acted with plain
indifference to employee safety.
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Figure 110–4
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