According to statistics compiled by Chicago-based research firm
Capshell, Inc., five to 10 U.S. workers are injured or killed daily, due
to arc flash accidents. Arc flashes are electrical explosions well known
for expelling deadly amounts of energy. To help reduce the likelihood
and severity of injury during these incidents, Cintas
Corporation highlighted four common misconceptions about following
NFPA 70E requirements. Following National Safety Month in June, these
misunderstandings underscore the importance of fostering increased
awareness around maintaining proper arc flash protection in the
electrical industry.
“On the whole, the industrial work environment has come a long way in
understanding electrical hazards and protecting employees,” said Joe
Liberti, Protective Apparel Regional Director, Cintas. “However, certain
myths still exist about arc flash protection, and it’s critical that
these are addressed in order to maximize employee safety and minimize
liability in the workplace.”
Four common misconceptions about NFPA 70E, the Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace® created by the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA), include:
1.
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“NFPA 70E doesn’t apply to me.” A notorious phrase in the
electrical industry, many electricians believe that because they
have never seen or experienced an arc flash, it won’t happen to
them. While arc flashes are relatively rare, their unpredictable
nature makes them particularly dangerous. According to a study
conducted by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics,
2287 U.S. workers died and 32,807 U.S. workers sustained lost time
injuries due to electrical shock or burn injuries over a seven
year period starting in 1992. Subsequently, when an individual is
exposed to an arc flash, the results can be life-changing. A good
example is the Donnie Johnson accident. Johnson was an electrician
for almost 20 years before he was severely injured in an arc blast
in 2004. At the time of the incident, Johnson was not wearing the
proper flame-resistant clothing outlined by NFPA 70E. As a result,
he has focused on educating the industry about the importance of
following these important safety procedures.
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2.
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“NFPA 70E is just product.” Another common misconception
among organizations is that employees are safe if they have the
proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). While flame-resistant
apparel and other PPE is important, these items become useless if
not used properly. For example, if employees roll up their sleeves
while wearing flame-resistant shirts, their safety is compromised.
As a result, a big part of NFPA 70E consists of training employees
in the proper use and care of PPE. A Cintas rule of thumb for
organizations interested in promoting safety and compliance is to
view NFPA 70E as 10 percent product and 90 percent training.
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3.
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“If I buy a flame-resistant shirt or coverall, then I’m
compliant.” When an arc flash occurs, it fully engulfs a
worker—360-degrees. In order to reduce the severity of injury,
workers need to don a full ensemble of flame-resistant apparel,
including shirts, pants, gloves, face shields, balaclavas (sock
hoods), safety glasses and shoes. NFPA 70E requires that
organizations classify the work performed at their facility into
one of five risk hazard categories (0-4). Based on the amount of
energy that individuals are exposed to per cm2, the appropriate
apparel is selected to match the hazard so it won’t break open in
the event of a flash. It is also important for organizations to
routinely maintain and inspect their PPE.
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4.
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“Every time an NFPA 70E flame-resistant garment is laundered,
it becomes less flame-resistant.” If flame-resistant apparel
is washed properly, it does not lose its integrity. However, it’s
vital that employees wash their garments according to the
instructions on their care labels and those outlined by NFPA 70E.
It is also essential that flame-resistant apparel is constructed
and repaired using flame-resistant thread, which is seldom found
in retail stores. To limit liabilities, many organizations opt to
work with industrial launderers who can inspect, launder, repair
and replace garments if necessary.
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“Equally important to understanding the electrical hazards in your
workplace is revisiting your PPE program each time the NFPA 70E standard
is re-written,” Liberti added. “This ensures that your employees are
being protected to the best of your organization’s ability and that your
program is still compliant.”
For more information about flame-resistant clothing from Cintas, visit www.cintas.com/protectiveapparel.
About Cintas Corporation:
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly
specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout
North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate
identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom cleaning
and supplies, tile and carpet cleaning, promotional products, first aid,
safety, fire protection products and services and document management
services for more than 1 million businesses. Cintas is a publicly held
company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol
CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
Copyright Business Wire 2013