Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine is the premier workplace health and safety publication in Canada. We cover a wide range of topics ranging from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards.
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24 Canadian Occupational Safety www.cos-mag.com T here's a lot of confusion around flame resistant (FR) arc-rated garments, from the standards to the ratings. But when employ- ers are looking to protect their workers from job-related hazards, it's essential to fi nd the right garment. Arc fl ash hazard is a dangerous con- dition associated with the possible release of energy caused by an electric arc. An arc fl ash gives off thermal radi- ation (heat) and bright, intense light. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 35,000 F, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States. The end result is a possible explosive event including fl ying shrapnel, hot molten metal and toxic smoke, says Len Cicero, president of Lenco Train- ing & Technical Services in Burlington, Ont., and an executive member of the CSA Z462 technical committee (Can- ada's fi rst national workplace electrical safety standard). An arc fl ash can be spontaneous or result from inadvertently bridging electrical contacts with a conduct- ing object. Other causes may include dropped tools or the buildup of con- ductive dust or corrosion, according to NIOSH. An arc fl ash can occur while working on an energized circuit or through electrical equipment failure. Arc fl ashes typically result in maim- ing injuries, such as severe body burns that require years of skin grafts and rehabilitation, so fi nding the right protective gear is critically important. ARC-RATED FR GARMENTS Arc-rated fabrics are tested to see if the material itself is self-extinguish- ing and doesn't continue to burn or melt after being exposed to a fl ame. Testing requires exposure to an electrical arc fl ash. The test looks at the amount of heat that's transferred through the material. For this type of risk, an employer should be looking for a garment that contains an arc rating, reported as either an arc thermal performance value (ATPV) or energy of break-open threshold (EBT). This is measured in calories per square centimetre (cal/ cm²). About one calorie is equiva- lent to holding a cigarette lighter one inch under your fi nger for one second, says Cicero. HAZARD ASSESSMENT The minimum arc-rating depends on the hazard, as determined by a risk/ hazard assessment. The preferred method of perform- ing an arc fl ash hazard assessment is to complete an incident energy analy- sis, according to Jim Pollard, subject matter expert for arc-rated PPE with Unlimited PPE in Stoney Creek, Ont. He is also a member of several techni- cal committees related to workplace Temperatures have been recorded as high as 35,000 F, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States. event including fl ying shrapnel, hot molten metal and toxic smoke, says Len Cicero, president of Lenco Train- ing & Technical Services in Burlington, Ont., and an executive member of the CSA Z462 technical committee (Can- ada's fi rst national workplace electrical safety standard). or result from inadvertently bridging electrical contacts with a conduct- ing object. Other causes may include dropped tools or the buildup of con- ductive dust or corrosion, according to NIOSH. An arc fl ash can occur while working on an energized circuit or through electrical equipment failure. IN A FLASH By Vawn Himmelsbach PHOTO: WESTEX Choosing the right arc-rated FR garments to protect your workers