Everything You Need to Know About Arc Flash Training

According to Rockwell Automation, at least five arc explosions happen in electric equipment every day in the U.S. These incidents have resulted in over 2,000 people suffering from severe burns. In most cases, arc flashes happen due to some kind of mistake on the worker's part.

As such, arc flash training is an essential part of keeping employees safe. This goes for not only electrical workers but any employee who works near live power lines. Proper electrical safety can save them from a trip to the burn unit or worse.

Here's everything you need to know about arc flash training and who needs it.

What Is Arc Flash Training?

An arc flash is a phenomenon in which an electric current leaves its current path and travels to another conductor. This process is violent and carries with it a massive amount of energy. In most cases, any person struck by the blast can find themselves propelled through the air and severely burned.

Any materials that have been struck by the energy are vaporized due to the high temperature. There's also the chance that droplets of molten metal will get sprayed out at over 700 miles per hour.

Needless to say, arc flash training is all about training workers to avoid this situation. Some of the various causes of an arc flash include dropping tools, accidentally touching live wires, and faulty installation. However, things like dust, condensation, and corrosion can also cause it.

Any piece of equipment operating at over 50 volts must have a warning label dictating what kind of protection an employee will need for their own safety. Arc flash training must be completed for someone to qualify to work on this equipment.

Key Topics

The various areas of arc flash training can be broken down thus:

• Introduction to arc flash safety training
• Hazards and safety standards
• Safety responsibilities
• Hazard control measures
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Practical arc flash safety precautions

You can expect the introduction portion to go over details like key terms, causes of arc flashes, and injury statistics. Hazards and safety standards cover electric shock injuries and burn injuries.

Hazard control measures should teach workers how to assess risk and what to do when there is an incident. It's also important to learn what kind of PPE is required to deal with the different hazard levels workers may face.

The training ends with an exam to verify that you've learned what you need to know if you want to stay safe on the job.

Frequency and Levels

Arc flash training must be completed at least every three years for it to remain valid. However, certain employers will require their workers to retrain sooner to stay on top of any of the latest regulation changes.

There are two different types of training available for employees. The first is a 4-hour training that goes over the basics. This includes lecture and video presentations that apply to the required parts of OSHA's work practices.

The 8-hour session is more comprehensive and designed for employees who work with electrical equipment on a daily basis.

Importance of Arc Flash Training

You may wonder if arc flash safety training is important if you don't work with high-power equipment every day. The problem is that no one can anticipate when an arc flash is going to happen. The only surefire way to avoid them is through training to identify signs of electrical flaws and to avoid mistakes on your part.

If the condition of electrical equipment is in bad shape, that could cause problems with a project. Damaged parts could also cause catastrophic failure and put you at risk. It's also important to make sure that the operating conditions are safe and won't cause an arc flash.

Anyone who happens to get caught in an arc flash could face severe burns or worse. If you're hit directly by the electric flow, you could die without the right level of PPE.

The best way to survive an arc flash is by preventing it from happening in the first place.

NFPA 70E Training vs. Arc Flash Training

It's important to understand that what goes into arc flash training will depend on the program.

In many cases, this will include NFPA 70E Training. This training offers more broad-level electrical safety training that includes arc flash safety. It's a good option for employees in any industry.

Meanwhile, arc flash training focuses more on shock hazards and how to avoid them. This involves learning about the levels of shock protection and when insulated tools and equipment are required. It's more important for employees who work with equipment that is more likely to set off an arc flash rather than for general electrical work.

Who Requires Training

OSHA regulations decide who needs arc flash training and who doesn't. According to them, any worker who is at risk of electric shock must receive training. That means anyone working at a commercial or industrial location with electricity will need training to some degree.

On a practical level, it helps employees understand the risks involved and what kind of protection they should use. However, it will also come in handy if an arc flash incident occurs.

In addition, NFPA 70E training is considered an industry standard for worker safety and compliance. Even unqualified workers such as maintenance or janitorial staff may need to pursue training if they work near hazards.

Find Arc Flash Training Online

Arc flash training should never be skipped over if you want to keep your employees safe and comply with OSHA regulations in the workplace. It helps your workers prevent deadly arc flashes as well as damage to public property. The training will also ensure that your employees are skilled enough to handle the work.

Compliance Training Online offers high-quality, low-cost training courses online for compliance with a wide variety of safety standards and regulations. We're one of the highest-rated and most trusted places to acquire certification in your industry.

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