ELE/Specific Hazards/TBT-ELE-004

Arc Flash Awareness

Electrical Safety › Specific Hazards › Arc Flash Awareness

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An arc flash is an explosive release of energy from an electrical fault, producing temperatures exceeding 19,000°C at the arc point.
Arc flash causes severe burns, blast injuries, blindness, hearing damage, and death — even to people standing several metres away.
Arc flash incidents most commonly occur during switching, testing, racking circuit breakers, and working on live distribution boards.
The energy released in an arc flash depends on the fault current, system voltage, and the time the arc is sustained.
Arc-rated PPE including flame-resistant clothing, face shields, and insulating gloves must be worn when arc flash risk exists.
The arc flash boundary is the distance from the source at which the incident energy drops to a survivable level for exposed skin.
Proper isolation and proving dead before working on electrical systems is the most effective way to eliminate arc flash risk.
Arc flash hazard labels on switchgear and distribution equipment display the incident energy and required PPE level.
Engineering controls such as remote switching, current-limiting fuses, and arc flash detection systems reduce the risk at source.
All electrical workers must receive arc flash awareness training before carrying out work where this hazard may exist.

Extreme temperature	Arc flash generates temperatures four times hotter than the sun's surface — at close range, it vaporises metal and ignites clothing instantly.
Blast force	The explosive expansion of air during arc flash creates a pressure wave that throws workers across the room and causes blast injuries.
Distance danger	Arc flash burns people standing metres away from the fault point — the arc flash boundary defines the minimum safe distance.

Don't

Assess the arc flash risk before carrying out any work on energised electrical equipment.
Wear arc-rated PPE appropriate for the incident energy level at the work location.
Read arc flash hazard labels on switchgear to determine the required protection level.
De-energise and prove dead before working on any electrical system wherever possible.
Maintain the minimum arc flash boundary distance when work near energised equipment is required.
Use remote switching and racking tools to reduce exposure during operations.
Attend arc flash awareness training before working on or near energised distribution equipment.
Follow the safe system of work and permit procedures for all electrical switching.
Report any equipment showing signs of overheating, damage, or insulation breakdown.
Ensure arc flash detection and protection systems are functioning where installed.

DON'T work on or near energised equipment without assessing the arc flash risk first.
DON'T approach energised switchgear without the correct arc-rated PPE for the energy level.
DON'T ignore arc flash labels — they tell you the minimum PPE and safe working distance.
DON'T work on live systems when de-energisation and isolation would eliminate the risk.
DON'T stand closer than the arc flash boundary distance to energised equipment.
DON'T switch or rack circuit breakers manually when remote tools are available.
DON'T carry out electrical switching without completing arc flash awareness training.
DON'T bypass safe systems of work or permits for electrical switching operations.
DON'T ignore overheating, unusual buzzing, or burning smells from electrical equipment.
DON'T disable arc flash detection systems — they reduce the duration and severity of faults.

See also: Electrical Safety Awareness | Electrical Isolation

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