Electrical and Arc Flash Safety » Arc Flash/Shock Safety

Good News Bad News Entergy Nuclear Plant Shut Down By Arc Flash

Hugh Hoagland — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:30:56 +0000

This is a classic good news/bad news story. Entergy’s Pallisades Nuclear Plant was shut down by an arc flash, electrical fault. The good news is that “no workers were injured”. In the past, a worker or two would have been hurt AND the plant would have been shut down. What might make spectacular news with “nuclear plant” and “shut down” listed in the same story is to me a huge victory! No workers injured. Plant was shut down. Agreed, that’s not good. No one was hurt. I’m sure Entergy lost income. That’s bad but “no worker was injured”. Little celebration here! Following NFPA 70E in all nuclear plants in the US and Entergy was among the first to implement, has saved another life.

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/feature/x133070586/Report-Inadequate-safety-policies-led-to-nuclear-plant-incident

Arc Flash in Grocery Store in Old Lyme, CT December 08, 2011

Hugh Hoagland — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:23:29 +0000

Another grocery store arc flash. This is very sad and the lack of understanding is even worse. It was a definitely arc flash but also a possible shock. So many don’t realize the energy in 480V electrical systems in just about EVERY electrical room. Grocery stores, malls etc.

http://www.theday.com/article/20111208/NWS04/111209555/1047/nws

Miller Pierce Offers Marketing Studies and Strategy for Arc Flash Products

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:44:24 +0000

Hugh Hoagland at ArcWear and Debbie Pierce at Miller Pierce now offer Arc Flash Marketing Studies and Stategic Studies for the arc flash market. Miller-Pierce is a leading marketing company in the US providing market analysis.

Click here to read about Miller-Pierce’s Arc Flash Market Strategy.

Three California men injured in electrical explosion

Hugh Hoagland — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:38:24 +0000

Three men were injured after a transformer exploded while they were replacing an above ground power vault. One of the injured is an employee of Anaheim Public Utilities and the other two were under contract with the City of Anaheim. All three were hospitalized. Police report that their clothing caught fire in the explosion. Oct. 26, 2011

Click here to read more about California electrical explosion

Supervisor Fined $11K, ThyssenKrupp, Canada Fined $160K Following Arc Flash Incident

Hugh Hoagland — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:33:36 +0000

ThyssenKrupp Industrial Services Canada Inc., was fined $160K for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured. A supervisor was fined $11K. In 2009, a worker sustained serious electrical burns when a a bare conductor touched the side of of the electrical panel on which he was working. The Ministry of Labour found that the panel was not disconnected from the power source nor was it locked out and tagged before work started. In addition, a 25% victim fine surcharge was imposed which assists victims of crime.

Click here to read more about 160K fine for Arc Flash Incident

Hugh Hoagland Interview with Ansell

Hugh Hoagland — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:31:11 +0000

At the National Safety Council this year, Ansell hosted a training event on arc flash with Hugh Hoagland of ArcWear.com and e-Hazard.com. Hugh is the foremost researcher in arc flash and PPE and sits on IEC 61482, ASTM F18 & F23, ANSI 107, CSA Z462, CSA Z96 and works with NFPA 70E on taskforces. Hugh discussed Arc Flash Training, arc rated gloves, arc rated PPE and many other subjects in this Ansell interview.

Click here to view interview with Hugh Hoagland

Jamestown NY Lineman Critically Injured in Arc Flash Explosion

Hugh Hoagland — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:18:23 +0000

A Jamestown, NY Utility worker was critically injured while working in an underground vault to restore a power outage. He was badly burned during an arc flash, receiving burns to his hands, face and upper chest. He was transported to the hospital and listed in critical condition.

Click here to read more about Arc Flash Incident

North London Employee Severely Burned in Arc Flash Explosion. Company Fined £10,000

Hugh Hoagland — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:18:23 +0000

The employee was working as a subcontractor at a construction site when the incident occurred. The explosion was caused when a main electrical supply cable to the site was cut during its removal. A 415 volt three-phase temporary supply had been provided to the site. The Court heard that the worker approached his supervisor to explain that the electrical cable would need to be removed before work ensued. The Health Safety Executive investigaion revealed that the company did little to determine if the cable was live. The workers then proceeded with removing the cable under the assumption that it must have been an old cable from a pre-existing installation.

The worker climbed a ladder and attempted to move the cable with a hammer and chisel. An arc flash occurred and the worker was taken to the hospital with burns over 30% of his body. He underwent numerous skin grafts and is expected to take two years for him to recover. The company pleaded guilty to breaching a Section of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,183.

Click here to read more about the Arc Flash Incident

Two New Zealand Workers Injured in Arc Flash

Hugh Hoagland — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:18:23 +0000

The two men, who were working for a geotechnical drilling company, where using a penetrometer to test soil density when the penetrometer came into contact with a 6600-volt cable what was buried about 60cm below the surface. One employee suffered burns to his legs and up his front and the more seriously injured man received burns to ~10% of his body. The Department of Labour is investigating.

Click here to read more about Arc Flash incident in New Zealand

New York Board of Public Utilities Named in Lawsuit

Hugh Hoagland — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:18:23 +0000

The lawsuit, filed by a BPU engineer who has been suspended without pay, alleges “significant safety issues” and cites “arc flash” several times in the complaint. In the last 16 months, there have been two arc flash incidences involving transmission and distribution workers at BPU. Critical burns were suffered by three electricians in last year’s arc flash, and a lineman was injured last week in another arc flash incident. Both involved transmission and distribution service. BPU is attempting to have the case dismissed.

Click here to read more about New York BPU Lawsuit