MIDWEST'S ARC FLASH HAZARD
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Engineering Services

An "Arc Flash Hazard Analysis" determines the explosive burning energy that could occur during an arcing fault in your electrical equipment. Many people do not realize this explosive arc is violent and hot enough to kill or seriously injure in a split second. NFPA 70E defines the engineering services to calculate the amount of explosive energy, the level of risk, and the protection needed to prevent serious injury to exposed personnel. OSHA's General Duty Clause" and "Safety Related Work Practices" provide the legal motivation. MIDWEST provides the Engineering services to perform your Arc Flash Hazard Analysis. MIDWEST provides complete services, from site power survey, to engineering analysis, one line drawings, protective labels, personnel training, and final safety documents.

Engineering Analysis

MIDWEST Electrical Arc Flash Hazard Safety Program" for your facility, including:

• A Power Survey of your electrical system to provide "immediate" risk reduction, preliminary training, and recommendations for Personal Safety Kits (PSK) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your exposed personnel.
• The Field Services to obtain all the necessary technical information on your electrical equipment and system. This is a detailed collection of data including equipment ratings, protective device settings, conductor ratings and lengths, system configuration, and equipment condition analysis.
• The The Engineering Services to develop a one line drawing; to perform a fault current analysis; to perform a protective device coordination analysis; and to perform an "Arc Flash Hazard Analysis." The Arc Flash Hazard Analysis determines the arcing energy levels, risk levels, protective boundaries, and recommendations for protective clothing and personal protective equipment.

Labeling and Training

Labeling...Following the Engineering Analysis, MIDWEST prepares a specific label for each electrical device in the analysis. The label is attached to the specific device and informs personnel of the (1) Flash Hazard Boundary, (2) Arcing Energy in cal/cm2 , (3) Hazard Risk Level, (4) Protective Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment needed, (5) Shock Hazard, (6) Limited Approach distance, (7) Restricted Approach distance, and (8) Prohibited Approach distance. The label simply tells qualified personnel how dangerous the equipment is and what they need to do to protect themselves. This is the purpose of the Arc Flash Hazard Analysis.

Training...MIDWEST trains personnel to use the "Arc Flash Hazard Program." This includes using the labeling system, recognizing risk levels and safety boundaries, using the appropriate protective clothing, equipment, and safety procedures in order to minimize their risk to less than a second degree burn if the electrical equipment should fail during service. Call MIDWEST for an Arc Flash Hazard Presentation and Proposal.

MIDWEST's Engineering Department can assist in the development of an Arc Flash Hazard Program for your facility. For additional information or if you have questions on Arc Flash Hazard Programs, Arc Flash Hazard Calculations, Arc Flash Hazard PC and PPE (Protective Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment), NFPA 70E Standards, ATPV Ratings, Nomex, and Endura, do not hesitate to contact one of our Power Engineers. MIDWEST combines the expertise of Power Engineers and Field Service Engineers to prepare practical Arc Flash Hazard Programs.

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Click on question marks below to get answers to these frequently-asked questions.

I am a veteran electrician. I have 35 years in a foundry. Arc Flash Hazard, Arc Flash Hazard Analysis, PC, PPE, Personal Protective Equipment, NFPA 70E, Hazard Risk Category Classifications… I hear all this stuff. They’re telling me I have to wear flame resistant clothing, something about cal/cm2, and get electrical arc flash safety training. Would somebody just tell me what this is about… I don’t want an engineering lecture. I just want to know why, after 35 years, this arc flash hazard stuff is suddenly so important. Here is the most basic answer. In the past electricians were just careful not to get a shock. Don’t get zapped! Now, you have to be careful not to get burned or blasted. That’s it…basically. But there is much more. Who started all this? OSHA says “Safety-related work practices shall be employed to prevent electrical shock or other injuries…” Well, we’re into the “other injuries.” Why? Because the number of people injured by electrical burns each year and the extent of the injuries is horrific and no longer considered tolerable.