By George T. Cole, Contributor Some readers may be wondering about the apparent contradiction or confusion with the title of this article but as we progress, the accuracy will become clear. The term “de-energized” is common among electrical workers but understanding its significance can vary greatly depending on the person you speak with. However, did…
Read More >>By Derek Vigstol, Contributor When it comes to arc flash risk assessment, the truth is that a properly labeled environment is a safer environment than one without arc flash hazard labels. When the safety of an employee is at stake, employers can’t be over prepared. There are two options here, perform the arc flash risk…
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By James Strohecker, Contributer In an arc flash, the most common and most severe injuries are burns. These burns are caused by the extreme heat given off by the runaway arc; the radiant heat that spreads out in all directions. As a result, NFPA 70E includes a “stay-back” distance intended to limit these burns. The…
Read More >>By Corey Hannahs, Contributor The sirens were deafening, even to my 13-year-old ears. My good friend, Heath, and I were playing an intense game of summer basketball in my driveway. The fact that I was losing and, as always, determined to win, should have been reason enough for my focus to be on the game…
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By: Corey Hannahs, Contributor Electrical safety is without question a critical component to a successful electrical installation. Yet many seem to have differing viewpoints on what is safe and what risks should be taken. At the root of every electrical safety incident is a person who made a choice, based on the information they had…
Read More >>Sponsored By GlenGuard Compliance IMPORTANT TO KNOW Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard, for both people who work directly with it – such as electricians and engineers – and others who may work with electricity indirectly. Potential sources of exposure are many: overhead lines, cable harnesses, circuit assemblies and more. In…
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By Dean Austin, Contributor Grounding, grounded, bonding, and bonded are all terms an electrician, electrical engineer, or facility manager is familiar with and use frequently, but what does it mean to properly ground electrical equipment? The initial thought is, it’s just connecting the branch circuit equipment grounding conductor to the electrical equipment grounding terminal. In…
Read More >>Scott Margolin, Co-Chairman, The Partnership for Electrical Safety At least half a million industrial electrical workers STILL are not provided arc rated clothing and other PPE they need to do the job safely. The Partnership for Electrical Safety (PES) has admirable goals, dedicated members, and bad timing. PES was founded in early 2020, with its…
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By Ralph DeLisio, Contributor Every day it is estimated between 5-10 arc flash incidents occur in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is approximately 1,800 to 3,600 each year. Most occur when something is moving. Opening a door, removing a cover, and operating a disconnecting means or a closing contactor are frequent…
Read More >>Attend Live Classes. Right from Home. Introducing NFPA Live Virtual Training. Attend live training and be part of a virtual classroom. It’s the same high-quality learning experience and expert instruction you’ve come to expect from NFPA® in-person classroom training—only it’s from the comfort of your own home computer. Stay Up to Date Even If You’re Staying Home…
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