Page 58 - IEC Insights Sept-Oct19

SAFETY CORNER

compressed lungs, damaged ear drums,
and much more. Experiencing an arc
flash event could result in death.

We always err on the side of RISK DEFINED

caution and assume equipment So we have captured the key components
necessary in determining risk above.
is energized unless placed in They are:
• Hazard identification
an electrically safe state. • Determining the Likelihood of occurrence
• Severity of injury

In our industry, the severity of injury
can be extreme. Because of the
extreme nature of injury, risks are very
high when equipment is not verified
to be in an electrically safe state. We
always err on the side of caution and
assume equipment is energized unless
Knowing the above hazards for the The severity of injury due to shock
motorcyclist, one may change their will depend upon a few factors: placed in an electrically safe state.
mind on the likelihood of an accident • The amount of current flow NFPA 70E requires that we perform
knowing that a bike can easily slide through the body a risk assessment; the first two steps
on leaves or if the bike hasn’t had the • The path the current takes of which include what was previously
breaks maintained. For example, if that through the body mentioned: identifying the hazards
Sunday ride on your bike was in the fall and assessing the risk. Beyond these
on country roads where fallen leaves on • The duration that the current fundamentals, we are focusing on risk
the road are very likely to exist and the is permitted to flow control, awareness, and/or mitigation.
breaks have never been replaced, knowing • The voltage that drives the
that a bike can slide on leaves and that current through the body Remember to keep safety at the top
the breaks may not work when needed • The health of the person of your list so you and those around
raises the likelihood of an accident. experiencing shock you get home safely.

The electrical worker must understand The body can experience everything
the hazards associated with the job from a slight tingling sensation to Thomas Domitrovich, P.E. is VP of Technical
at hand. The primary hazards for the muscle contraction or ventricular Sales for Eaton’s Bussmann business
electrical worker are shock, arc flash, and defibrillation to tissue and organ burns. within the Circuit Protection Division of
arc blast. A review of these hazards help Experiencing shock could result in death. Eaton Corporation. Thomas is based out of
us understand severity. Table 130.7(C) St. Louis MO and has more than 25 years
(15)(A)(a) of NFPA 70E help us identify The severity of injury due to arc flash of experience as an Electrical Engineer.
arc flash hazards for both alternating or arc blast will depend upon some He is a LEED Accredited Professional and
current and direct current systems. variables, including but not limited to: a licensed Professional Engineer in the
• Available fault current state of Pennsylvania. Thomas is active in
• Duration that the arc is various trade organizations including the
SEVERITY OF INJURY permitted to persist Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC),
International Association of Electrical
• The size of the enclosure within Inspectors (IAEI), Institute of Electrical
Once we understand the hazards and which the arc occurs and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), National
establish the likelihood of occurrence • The distance that the worker Electrical Manufacturer’s Association (NEMA)
of injury, we must understand is from the arc flash event and the National Fire Protection Association
severity of the injury. Let’s discuss (NFPA). Thomas is Principle member on Code
the severity of injury for the electrical An arc flash event presents extreme Making Panel 2 for the National Electrical
worker for the hazards present. light, heat, sound, vapors, pressure, Code (NFPA 70) and an Alternate member on
®
and flying debris to the worker. Injuries NFPA 73 for electrical inspections of existing
can include burns, broken bones, dwelling units both representing NEMA.

56 Insights Magazine | September/October 2019 | www.ieci.org