Daily Skiff

There are an average of ten arc flash incidents per day, but this is one of the most ignored safety hazards. I do not know the specific circumstances and background of the incident reported here, but throughout industry and facility management in general, there is a need for increased arc flash hazard awareness (training), labeling of potential arc flash hazards, and the use of PPE to protect workers working on or using equipment that presents an arc flash hazard.

I have to agree with Steve, however I have seen great strides within industry taken to try to bring safety standards to acceptable levels.

That said, there are too many managers that ask the question, what do I have to do? Thinking that it is an easy fix, maybe a new fuse, maybe some red tape. The truth is that employers have to work on developing systems that will include proper maintaince of thier equipment, and electrically isolating as much as possible.

And KNOWING the status of the electrical system, having up-to-date electrical models that can determine the possible energy levels, and what PPE is required to ensure that work is done in a safe manner.

I wish the employees that were injured the best, and hope that this will ensure that a safety program is established to ensure that this type of incident does not occur in the future.

I've had my share of accidents in all my career, as an electrician I am not allowed mistakes or there's the risk of paying with my life. I am glad those guys are OK now, let's hope they learned a lesson here, things could have gotten a lot worse.