Unfortunately, we heard it again yesterday: “I wish now we hadn’t purchased our Arc Flash Analysis based on price.” The client that made this statement called us to schedule NFPA 70E Training. We had provided a proposal for their Arc Flash Assessment, but because we are a bit more thorough and our focus is on mitigation, the result was that our proposal was a bit more of an investment than one of the “Big Box Companies.” The problem is that the company they selected doesn’t actually do all of the work, they subcontract it out, and safety is not their business. The company didn’t provide labels, they didn’t provide a report delivery, they didn’t provide mitigation, and they were barely onsite during the process – all things required as part of an Arc Flash Analysis. While we understand that price points are a part of life, the case needs made from the safety department to the purchasing departments that this is a safety study, it’s not a commodity and you can’t treat the safety of employees as a product you pick off the shelf, or use a coupon for while shopping. There are good companies out there who provide quality NFPA 70E Training and Arc Flash Analysis, but you sometimes have to look past a few extra dollars and select the company with the most experience, most qualified staff, and in this specific case, a company whose sole business is Arc Flash Analysis and NFPA 70E Training.
Workplace injuries happen. As an Electrical Engineer at Lewellyn Technology I spend my career striving to identify and reduce electrical hazards to provide electricians across the country with safer working conditions. I am proud of the work we do to develop a growing safety culture. Everyone who gets up and goes to work ought to be able to come home when the work is completed. However, I am guilty of forgetting to look beyond my electrical world. I received a rude awakening to this fact last week and a reminder of things I already knew but hadn’t specifically thought about in ages when a loved one was injured on the job.
My working world revolves around two primary electrical hazards: shock and arc. I know what causes these, I know how real the dangers are, and I understand how the proper training, PPE, and electrical design can be used to protect people from the inherent dangers that are electricity. But I tend to forget that to get to that bus duct you have to go up in a lift. To access that rooftop air handler you have to walk across a roof. To get to the electrical room you have to walk across a fork lift path. Plus there are confined space hazards, chemical hazards, and vehicular hazards just to name a few.
There are so many things that can be said about safety and it will all sound cliché at this point. I just want to remind everyone that workplace safety encompasses a lot of things. Tunnel vision doesn’t do any good. Don’t fall into that overly focused rut I have been in, pay attention to what is happening around you.
Amanda Jerrell
Electrical Engineer Lewellyn Technology, Inc.
A lot of questions are swirling about the release of the 2012 NFPA 70E and how it affects employers and more specifically Arc Flash Safety. A few things to remember is that there were not many significant changes that affect you whether you have been through 70E or are still trying to implement Arc Flash Safety at your facility. Employees are still required to have training on how to select and interpret voltage detectors as well as understanding the limitations of each detector that may be used. As part of Lewellyn Technology’s Arc Flash Consulting, we recommend training such as NFPA 70E+Plus to satisfy these requirements. Arc Flash Safety Training is now required at intervals not to exceed 3 years and the training shall be documented as to the content provided. So, as you can see there were not that many items related to training as it pertains to Arc Flash Safety, but if you have further questions please give us a call.
I hope everyone had a great Holiday weekend! As we look toward the new year we are excited for a few upcoming events. After a year off from doing our Free Implementing NFPA 70E Seminars we have the first seminar of 2012 scheduled in Ontario, California for February 23rd. We look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new faces there. Keep the requests coming, feedback we receive from our clients helps us to plan future events. I am also excited to announce that beginning in 2012, Lewellyn Technology is now able to assist our clients with Combustible Dust issues. OSHA now has a National Emphasis Program for combustible dust and Lewellyn has added resources to enable us to help our clients with analysis and mitigation so please let us know if we can help. Have a safe new year!
In this episode of the Workplace Safety Show, Jay and Daryn discuss a recent OSHA citation as well as a photo of an electrical worker working in a live panel without personal protective equipment (PPE).
In this episode of the Workplace Safety Show, Jay and Daryn discuss Lewellyn Technology’s immediate solution for companies that are between 70E non-compliance and an Arc Flash study.
In this episode of the Workplace Safety Show, Jay and Daryn discuss Lewellyn Technology’s in-house training for their employees that are involved in the Arc Flash analysis process.
In this episode of the Workplace Safety Show, Jay and Daryn discuss the truth behind certification for NFPA 70E training and whether or not 70E is the law.
Be sure to follow the Workplace Safety Show on Twitter! @WorkSafeShow
Lewellyn Technology, a National leader in maintenance and safety training, will host a seminar on combustible dust safety in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, April 12th, 2011.
“Understanding Combustible Dust – A Dust Safety Seminar” takes a practical look at this volatile hazard that affects countless types of industries. The event will feature presentations from three real-world combustible dust experts including Kevin Jeffries, CEAS – Corporate Safety Systems Manager at Imperial Sugar Co., Brian Edwards, PE – Director of Engineering at Conversion Technology, Inc., and Scott Margolin – International Technical Director at Westex, Inc.
By attending this event you will learn more about the explosive properties of dust and put your facility on the right track to becoming a safer workplace. You can find more information or register for the event at SafeDust.com
