Thompson Knows

Arc Flash

What is an Arc Flash?

“What is an Arc Flash?” is often one of the first questions asked so let’s start there. An Arc Flash is a dangerous condition associated with an electrical explosion or the release of energy caused by an electrical arc. The flash causes an explosion with temperatures up to 35,000-degrees F, dangerous pressure and sound waves, thermal radiation, and shrapnel. This can cause serious damage to your personnel and facility, lengthy downtime, and expensive regulatory fines.

An Arc Flash Risk Assessment is required by OSHA and can be used to determine:

  • Arc Flash Protection Boundaries
  • Incident Energy Value
  • Proper Hazard Categorization of equipment
  • Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment NFPA PPE
  • Arc Flash Risk Mitigation

Call 866.258.8462 today for more information on any of our electrical safety services.

How to Establish an Electrically Safe Work Condition

By Jason Moore, CESCP Contributor
Jason is the Electrical Safety Mitigation Specialist for Thompson,

The Control of Hazardous Energy (CoHE) in general industry was the fourth most frequently cited OSHA standards violation in FY 2019. While it is the obligation of the employer to establish, document, and implement a lockout/tagout (LOTO) program and provide appropriate equipment to properly control all sources of hazardous energy, every qualified worker has a critical responsibility to ensure control of these energies while establishing an electrically safe work condition. Click here to read the full article. 

Thompson’s provides 100% compliance with OSHA 

Comprehensive Arc Flash Risk Assessment

Update Arc Flash Risk Assessment with ongoing changes to the electrical system

Corporate Wide Programs

Perform 5-year review of Arc Flash Risk Assessment

Arc Flash Training

Nationwide Services

Mitigation of Electrical Hazard Studies Available

Coordination Studies Available

Why should I have an Arc Flash Risk Assessment?

OSHA General Duty Clause

OSHA General Duty Clause states: Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Hazard Assessment

The employer shall assess the workplace to identify employees exposed to hazards from flames or from electric arcs. Estimate of available heat energy. For each employee exposed to hazards from electric arcs, the employer shall make a reasonable estimate of the incident heat energy to which the employee would be exposed.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.335

Employees working in areas where potential electrical hazards exist shall be provided with and shall use personal protective equipment.

NFPA 70e 110. A

The employer shall implement and document an overall electrical safety program that directs activity appropriate to the risk associated with electric hazards. The electrical safety program shall be implemented as apart of the employer’s overall occupational health and safety management system, when one exists.

The process was uneventful from my inquiry to the study to the completion. A nice professional company to work with.
― Nick, Two Rivers Cooperative

Why Thompson?

The Arc Flash Risk Assessment (also known as: Arc Flash Hazard Analysis, Incident Energy Analysis, Arc Flash Hazard Assessment, or Arc Flash Study) performed by Thompson will be done in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (2018 NFPA 70E) standards.

Thompson will provide trained licensed electricians to collect the data from your facility. Upon completion of the Arc Flash Risk Assessment, Thompson will provide a professional report summarizing the findings of the assessment for each facility, installation of new equipment labels in compliance with 2018 NFPA 70E standards, an updated one-line diagram of the electrical system analyzed, and access to a secure on-line database for storage of your report and one-line drawings.

In addition, Thompson offers training for employees conducted by a qualified OSHA trainer on the dangers of Arc Flash and the proper use of NFPA Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in compliance with OSHA. Lastly, Thompson can also offer recommendations on how to mitigate significant electrical hazards identified during the study.

Associations