OSHA addresses arc flash PPE for the 750,000+ industrial electrical workers who are still without it.

November 2024: OSHA released new arc flash guidance aimed at reducing arc flash injuries amongst commercial and industrial electricians, which continue to occur despite proven PPE and safety standards like NFPA 70E. The Partnership for Electrical Safety (PES) strongly supports this important guidance improvement and commends OSHA leadership for addressing this critical industrial safety concern.

 

OSHA Confirms:

Low voltage, including 120/208, can sustain arc flash.
Even 120/208V can sustain arcs with more than enough energy to burn exposed skin, ignite flammable clothing and cause catastrophic or fatal injuries. Low voltage does NOT justify energized work, and requires all arc flash PPE including AR clothing.
Most claims of “deenergized” work don’t qualify.
According to OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.333 standard, “Conductors and parts of electric equipment that have been deenergized but have not been locked out or tagged ... shall be treated as energized parts.” “It is crucial to understand that deenergizing without locking/tagging out does not eliminate the electrical shock and arc flash hazards.” All steps of LOTO or ESWC must be followed, or work does not qualify as deenergized and all PPE including AR clothing is required.
Wearing the wrong undergarments may be dangerous?
Wearing meltable undergarments is dangerous and impermissible. Wearing flammable undergarments can cause injury if the AR clothing is improperly worn; flammable base layers can ignite if a shirt is untucked, sleeves are rolled up, or it is partly unbuttoned. Ensure proper wear of PPE.
Voltage has almost no bearing on arc flash energy.
Low voltage is not low risk. Arc flash incident energy is almost entirely based on amperage, cycle time and worker distance, NOT voltage.

Deepen Your Understanding - Join the December Safety +Health Webinar

On December 17, Scott Margolin, Chairman of the Board for the Partnership for Electrical Safety, will host a webinar to delve into the new guidance, explore the supporting data, and highlight how focusing on key principles can significantly reduce preventable arc flash injuries and fatalities.

JOIN US

 

Visit OSHA's Website to Download the Guidance
home_Tyndale_42

Why is this issue so important now?

We want to ensure the safety of all workers..

The PPE requirements of NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace have been in place for over 20 years, yet there are still currently over 750,000 industrial electrical workers without proper protection. Through education, we believe best practices under the standard will be adopted, and together, we can lower the number of unprotected workers in America.

GET THE FACTS
JOIN US
PES-Icon-Arc-2

750,000

INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICAL WORKERS WITHOUT THE CORRECT PROTECTION

Leading by Example:

The electric utility industry in general and Investor-owned Utilities (IOUs) in particular have been providing the appropriate arc flash protection to their workers since 1994, dramatically reducing arc flash injuries and fatalities. The 2014 revision to 1910.269 completed the protection of outside electrical workers in a manner PES fully supports. PES is committed to ensuring industrial electricians are provided the same protection.

The Protection Every Electrician Deserves
home_Tyndale_1

How Can You Get Involved?

INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICAL WORKER SAFETY IS ON THE LINE EVERY DAY

Become a Partner
Become a Member