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Arc flash PPE

TB

I've had a read over the topics on here that sound similar or related. Most were from some time ago and none really get to what I'm aking about.

I've been down the arc flash and arc flash ppe rabbit hole on and off for several years now and never really got to grips with it and never really come to any final conculasions.

I work on ships (mostly, for now) and because I've often worked though agencies I end up on a variey of different ships with a veriety of differnt standards when it comes to procedures and equipment (ranging as far as on ship I joined not even having any Lock out/Tag out equipment).

While I understand and totally agree with the 'don't work live iunless absolutely unavoidable' Electrical Safety at Work directive etc. unfortunately there are times when it is not practicable to do this and maintenance is done when there is live conductors within the same enclosure.

Based on that, and the 'never knowing what you'll find when you arrive' scenario, is there any recomendations on arc rated ppe that would be good to carry, or if in doubt, it wouldn't be a bad start to wear this?

I know this is far from ideal, and realystically these hazards should either be designed out or an arc flash studdy carried out to know exacely what is what with a risk assessment based on known hazards to reduce the risks before PPE comes into play. On new ships nowadays (as I'm sure it is on land based installations) this is being done, but I've been on a lot of older ships that were built before this was probably even thought about. We risk assess the job before doing it, and reduce whatever we possibly can.

I'm also looking to pick up some more contracting work, at which point the provision of PPE and risk assesments/method statelments falls to me. So I want to make sure that I'm doing the best I can and not taking any unnecissary risks.

My current list of research to follow up on is:

The IET Arc Flash Risk Management paper

The European Arc Flash Safety Guide book

and the ea-guide.com website.

(Note - I hope this hasn't come across as though I take working live lightly and/or that its done or PPE is uesd as a first resort. I'd just like to have ensible conversation about this topic to help improve my safety standards in the right way)

Parents
  • TB said:
    , is there any recomendations on arc rated ppe that would be good to carry, or if in doubt, it wouldn't be a bad start to wear this?

    Some contractors we work for issue Skanwear STRATA overalls to electricians as standard workwear making a basic level of protection almost automatic.

    Since we tend to have an idea of the types of equipment and conditions we’re likely to encounter, we’ve been able to run the calculations on likely scenarios. As a result, I have an overalls that come out whenever access to live switch rooms is anticipated plus helmet, gloves etc to bring up the protection level that travels with me and an awareness of where that protection is insufficient. Being standard issue means these pre-assessed scenarios can also be factored into the RAMS; slightly easier for us being consultants as we can mitigate the risk by limiting access and witnessing from further away but of course “space suits” can be obtained if really needed.

    You can probably do similar to at least cover your initial approach and survey of equipment, and then carry out a job-specific assessment from there.

Reply
  • TB said:
    , is there any recomendations on arc rated ppe that would be good to carry, or if in doubt, it wouldn't be a bad start to wear this?

    Some contractors we work for issue Skanwear STRATA overalls to electricians as standard workwear making a basic level of protection almost automatic.

    Since we tend to have an idea of the types of equipment and conditions we’re likely to encounter, we’ve been able to run the calculations on likely scenarios. As a result, I have an overalls that come out whenever access to live switch rooms is anticipated plus helmet, gloves etc to bring up the protection level that travels with me and an awareness of where that protection is insufficient. Being standard issue means these pre-assessed scenarios can also be factored into the RAMS; slightly easier for us being consultants as we can mitigate the risk by limiting access and witnessing from further away but of course “space suits” can be obtained if really needed.

    You can probably do similar to at least cover your initial approach and survey of equipment, and then carry out a job-specific assessment from there.

Children
  • in reply to Jam

    Note if its  not clear that when comparing the labels on things  like those overalls may say

    "EN 61482-2:2020 ATPV = 12cal/cm² " 

    This is a test of a sample of the fabric, not the overall or whatever.

    The ATPV of the fabric is the energy density on the outside of the cloth, that skin on the other side would receive the upper limit 1.2calories (5 joules) dose through it. If course if folk have clothing beneath, that attenuates the effects further and makes things safer but is very hard to control . Poor underwear choices, like synthetic melt and stick fabric can make things a lot worse very quickly.

    Some fabric manufacturer’s report an EBT or Energy Break Through value for the garment. EBT is the point at which the fabric burns through. Clearly the ATPV is more use and the EBT is quite a bit higher.

    M.

  • in reply to Jam

    I've got Skanwer's technical team doe to phone me later in the week to have a chat with them, I'll see what thye've got to say as well. Hopefully it'll be a worth while phone call and not just a sales call.

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