Arch Flash Coordination/Hazard Analysis Studies
Question: Does an employer have an obligation under the General Duty Clause to ensure that its own employees comply with personal protective equipment requirements in NFPA 70E?
Answer: Industry consensus standards, such as NFPA 70E, can be used by employers as guides to making the assessments and equipment selections required by the standard. Similarly, in OSHA enforcement actions, they can be used as evidence of whether the employer acted reasonably.
| The NFPA 70E mandates employers with high fault current risk undertake a Arch Flash Coordination Study “where necessary by reason of hazards….”(1910.1329(a)) and requires the employer to select equipment “that will protect the affected employee from the hazards….”(1910.132(d))(1)). These studies will ensure that the right personal protective equipment is selected through a series of engineered analyses. |
| - www.osha.gov General Duty Clause, 07/25/2003 |
Below is an example of compliant Arch Flash Hazard Analysis Label that will illustrate to your employees the appropriate PPE to be worn and the potential fault current available while performing energized work:
The IEEE, NFPA 70B 2004, and OSHA all endorse facilities exposed to high electrical fault currents, to perform Arch Flash Coordination Studies to protect their employees, protect against civil liability, and safeguard against business interruptions. In fact, all employers have a duty under article (1910.132(a)) in the NFPA 70E and the General Duty Clause, to make their employees aware of electrical hazards and the correct PPE to utilize when working on energized equipment.
