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ITU’s Arc Flash Analysis and Electrical Safety Training Services
What is an arc flash?
An arc flash occurs when an electrical path is broken in some way and the electricity jumps or “arcs” to a nearby grounded object. It is basically the same as lightning but can often be much more powerful and dangerous. It is usually caused by exposed wire where the rubber insulation has broken down or has been damaged in some way. It also commonly occurs when someone (an electrical worker, electrician, or qualified person) is working in or around a live, open electrical panel and accidently comes in contact with the exposed electrical circuit.
In the instance of an electrical worker working in an energized electrical panel and coming in contact with the exposed electrical circuit: the extreme heat (4 times hotter than the surface of the sun) from an arc flash instantly causes the air to expand as well as all conductive components inside the panel. The expansion of these components is roughly 67,000 times their original size. This causes the panel and everything around it to explode. The explosion is devistating to anyone or anything in the area. These explosions can even trigger an arc blasts in other nearby electrical panels creating an electrical panel explosion domino effect.
Every 28 hours someone is killed by and arc flash or arc blast in the United States alone. Thousands more are seriously wounded and are often left without fingers, hands, and arms. Arc flash accidents are among the top five leading causes for fatalities in the workplace. Medical costs for severe electrical burns can exceed $4million per person. Such injuries can cost businesses well over $30million in OSHA fines (if not in compliance), medical costs, litigation, manufacturing equipment downtime, and equipment repair or replacement costs.
However, these types of accidents can easily be prevented. As mentioned above, taking the proper safety precautions is required by OSHA, NFPA 70E (National Fire Protection Agency) and the NEC (National Electrical Code). For a more detailed explanation of what an arc flash is and why it happens click here.
What is an Arc Flash Analysis?
The first step towards getting into compliance is having an arc flash analysis performed. An arc flash analysis (also known as: arc flash study, ground fault study, power distribution study, or incident energy analysis)is a study of a facilities electrical system. This Arc Flash Study will determine potential weak spots throughout the electrical system. Spots that would pose the danger of electrocution, electrical incidents, and even electrical arc blasts.
ITU’s arc flash study includes detailed reports of your electrical system, one-line diagrams (required by OSHA), and ANSI Z535 approved arc flash warning labels (required by OSHA). Arc flash warning labels must be applied to every electrical panel, 240 volts and up, to warn workers of the danger and to inform them of the proper personal protection equipment (PPE)(required by OSHA) to use and the proper approach boundary information (required by OSHA) needed when working in these areas. Electrical Safety Training (required by OSHA) is also included with ITU’s analysis. When ITU leaves your facility all your company will need to do to get in full compliance with NFPA 70E is purchase PPE (personal protection equipment) for your electrical workers. Which is also available through ITU. Click here for more information.
The arc flash analysis itself, as of 2009, is not required by OSHA, however without the analysis many of the requirements, as pointed out above, would be left out or incomplete therefore your facility would not be in compliance.
ITU offers the most affordable arc flash analysis in the United States, Canada, and Mexico with no catches or upsells. ITU is an Electrical Safety Training and Arc Flash Engineering Firm only. We are not a manufacturer or retailer of any electrical components or parts that would be found in your electrical system. Therefore, there is never any upsell or unnecessary component replacement which would increase the price of the Analysis. This is a common strategy used by electricians and other companies offering a similar “Arc Flash Analysis” service.
ITU will however inform you of components that need replacement should we discover any but the actual component replacement would have to be done through your electrician. We keep our Arc Flash Analysis service as affordable as possible by only providing Arc Flash Analysis and Electrical Safety Training.
Why is ITU’s Arc Flash Analysis so much more affordable than other companies offering a similar service?
We understand that running a business is a tough job and meeting all the requirements and regulations can be very expensive and tedious. So, ITU has created an easy to use Do-It-Yourself Arc Flash Analysis Assisted software program that allows you or your maintenance personnel to collect the necessary data to develop the arc flash analysis. Then at the click of a button the data is emailed through the program to ITU’s electrical engineers. This is the fastest and most affordable solution because it eliminates the need for our electrical engineers to come to your facility to collect the data which in turn drastically reduces the cost of your Arc Flash Analysis.
This one-of-a-kind program is called P3, Power Planner Partner, is exclusive to ITU clients only. No program of this kind is offered by any other Electrical Engineering company in the world and the best part is that ITU is now offering it to you for FREE! This program will save your company thousands of dollars with No obligations and No strings attached! ITU’s engineers are available during regular business hours to assist you in the data collection process should you have any questions. The only thing that ITU asks prior to download is for your contact information so we can confirm that you are a legitimate potential client and not a competitor.
Why does ITU offer the P3 program for FREE?
The P3 Program allows the client to get in compliance with OSHA and NFPA in just a fraction of the time it would take other companies offering a similar arc flash analysis service. Plus it enables the client to easily add new equipment installations into the electrical system one-line diagram keeping the it up to date with the facility (required by OSHA). We are so confident in the program and our service that you will be completely satisfied and will have saved thousands of dollars by going with ITU.
Above all ITU’s #1 goal is to help businesses create a safe work environment for the working people that our country so despirately needs. If we can help prevent accidents and get Americas businesses in compliance with OSHA’s requirements than we can keep OSHA from fining and shutting down businesses and manufacturing facilities. Every business that OSHA fines or closes due to regulation infractions results in more jobs lost which is gradually destroying our economy and our country.
What if I don’t have time to collect the data, but I still need to get in compliance?
Not a problem! We have multiple arc flash analysis teams on the road every day. Collecting data, labeling panels, performing mitigation studies, training, and getting facilities in compliance. Chances are one of our Arc Flash Analysis teams is not far from where you are right now. One of these Arc Flash Analysis teams can come out to your facility and perform the entire Arc Flash Analysis for you right there on site.
What training comes with ITU’s Arc Flash Analysis?
Electrical safety training and training updates are required by OSHA. ITU’s award winning NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training is truly second to none in the business. Our one day class covers everything that is required by OSHA and more. Our instructors use a Straight-Talk, Straight-to-the-Point teaching approach to train your staff about the dangers associated with electricity, how to manage electrical related accidents, and how to prevent these accidents from happening. The class includes a certificate of completion and a convenient wallet card for every employee that takes the class.
Our NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training Class is also available online! This is an affordable and convenient way to get new hires the training they need and required training updates for existing employees. The employer simply creates an account and the employees login with their corporate emails to take the class. The class contains various multiple choice quizes throughout so that you can see that the employee has taken and passed the class. Certification of completion is made available for print upon completion. This is another way that ITU makes staying in compliance more convenient and affordable. Click here for more information.
How do I get started?
Simply call toll free: 866-851-9993 or click here to fill out the Arc Flash Analysis Service Request form or click here if you are just interested in our NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training Class.
ITU’s New!! “Bare-Bones” Arc Flash Analysis, is a more affordable solution to getting your facility in “Limited” Compliance!
We at Industrial Training University are now offering a more affordable “Limited” version of our popular Arc Flash Analysis Program. This is an effort for ITU to compete with companies offering this very basic type of Arc Flash Analysis. This new “Bare-Bones” Arc Flash Analysis is a cheaper way to get in limited compliance with NFPA 70E 130.3. This analysis takes into consideration, “Exception 1” in section 130.3 of the NFPA 70E.
NFPA 70E section 130.3 states the following:
“The Arc Flash Hazard Analysis shall take into consideration the design of the overcurrent protective device and its opening time, including its condition of maintenance.”
Exception No.1 says: An Arc Flash Hazard Analysis shall not be required where all the following conditions exist:
- The circuit is rated 240 volts or less.
- The circuit is supplied by one transformer only. (Many circuits are supplied with multiple transformers which doubles the voltage, per unit, in your facilities electrical distribution system)
- The transformer supplying the circuit is rated less than 125kVA. (This is subject to change in the next NFPA 70E Revision)
This drastically reduces the cost of the Arc Flash Analysis!
However, it is very important that you know and understand that this basic “bare-bones” type of Arc Flash Analysis does not get your business or facility in full compliance with all of NFPA 70E’s requirements or OSHA 29CFR 1910.333’s requirements. This type of Arc Flash Analysis is being performed all over the country and company owners are being told that they are in full compliance once the analysis is complete. This is only partially true.
The key components that are missing from this “Bare-Bones” Arc Flash Analysis:
- It does not give you the information needed in order to choose the correct Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) at all points likely to be serviced by a worker. NFPA 70E 130.3(B)(1)
- It does not provide you and your personnel with the required approach boundary information on panels below 240 volts. NFPA 70E Annex C Limits of Approach
- It does not give you the information needed to properly label all electrical panels category “1” and above with ANSI Z535 (ANSI Z535.1-,4 2002 Sign Standard) approved arc flash labels. NFPA 70E 130.3(C)
- It does not include a “complete” one-line diagram or drawing. A one-line drawing must be a completed and up to date diagram of your facility’s electrical distribution system.
- It will likely not include the required NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training.
- It does not give you all the information necessary to create a safe work environment. OSHA 1910.333
- It will not include a certificate of compliance.
- It will not include labeling category “0” electrical panels.
When an OSHA representative comes to your facility to do an inspection one of the first things he or she will check is to see if you have an electrical safety procedure in place and if your electrical panels are properly labeled. Next, the inspector will ask if you have provided the appropriate PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) and the necessary training in order for the maintenance personnel to be considered “Qualified Workers”. They may want to see a current electrical One-Line diagram or drawing of your facility as well.
In layman’s terms, With this “Limited” Analysis only the panels that are properly labeled will be in compliance with NFPA 70E. When you choose this basic type of Arc Flash Analysis your facility will not be in full compliance. Don’t let others miss-lead you into thinking you are!
Industrial Training University is offering this “Limited” Arc Flash Analysis service to you at an amazing price. If you have never had an analysis performed we recommend that at least this basic “Bare-Bones” Arc Flash Analysis be performed. However, we highly encourage you to consider our complete Turn-Key Arc Flash Analysis so that your facility is in full compliance with OSHA and NFPA 70E’s requirements. Our complete Turn-Key Arc Flash Analysis provides the safest work environment for you and your employees. It includes everything that the “Bare Bones” analysis includes plus all the bulleted components mentioned above plus much more all at an affordable price.
Recent OSHA Electrical Safety Violations
The following is a list of USPS facilities and the record of their electrical safety violations. Although these particular violations pertain only to USPS all businesses and facilities must abide by OSHA’s electrical safety standards. If a business or facility (large or small) is not in compliance with OSHA’s electrical safety standards then they risk the same fate as USPS. Unfortunately, many business owners are not aware of the electrical dangers that lurk in and around their company. Nor do they know the risks involved with not being in compliance with OSHA’s electrical standards. Our goal here at ITU is to help educate you, train you and your staff, and get your business in compliance with OSHA and NFPA 70E by using our affordable Arc Flash Analysis or Power Distribution Study.
Information below provided by ecmweb.com
• Jan. 27, 2010 — Des Moines, Iowa: OSHA initiated an investigation in October and cited USPS for two alleged serious and one alleged repeat violation of federal workplace safety standards. Proposed fines total $46,200.
• April 29, 2010 — Providence, R.I.: OSHA cited USPS for alleged willful and serious violations of safety standards. Proposed fines, chiefly for electrical and lockout/tagout of energy startup hazards, total $558,000.
• April 30, 2010 — Denver: OSHA’s inspection found that employees were performing testing on live electrical equipment and doing so without adequate training, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safety-related work practices. OSHA issued three willful citations. In addition, one serious citation ($7,000 in fines) was issued for failure to post warning signs to alert employees of electrical hazards. “USPS was aware of the hazardous electrical conditions but did not correct them in a timely manner to prevent potential serious injuries,” says Greg Baxter, OSHA regional administrator in Denver. The violations total $210,000 in proposed fines.
• May 5, 2010 — Bedford Park, Ill.: OSHA’s inspection, which began in November 2009, found that USPS failed to provide required electrical safety training for its workers; to ensure they used safety-related work practices while working on electrical equipment; and to provide workers with appropriate PPE while working on energized equipment. OSHA cited USPS with three alleged willful violations, which total $210,000 in proposed fines.
• May 24, 2010 — Anaheim, Calif.: Proposed fines total $11,050.
• May 24, 2010 — Las Vegas: Proposed fines total $10,625.
• May 24, 2010 — Bell, Calif.: Proposed fines total $18,425.
• June 3, 2010 — Philadelphia: OSHA cited USPS for workplace safety violations related to electrical hazards found at two Philadelphia facilities. OSHA’s inspections found inadequately trained employees performing work without the proper PPE while being exposed to live parts. OSHA cited the network distribution center with four willful violations with a proposed penalty of $280,000. The processing and distribution center was cited for three willful violations with a penalty of $210,000 and one serious violation with a penalty of $7,000. “The Postal Service’s disregard for workplace safety standards has left workers at these facilities exposed to unnecessary dangers, including electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions,” says Al D’Imperio, director of OSHA’s Philadelphia Area Office. Combined proposed penalties total $497,000.
• June 7, 2010 — Baton Rouge, La.: Postal employees were found working on energized equipment without protective gear and were exposed to potential electrocution from live machinery. Proposed fines total $97,500.
• June 8, 2010 — Pittsburgh: OSHA initiated an inspection in October 2009 and discovered four willful violations carrying a penalty of $265,000; one repeat violation, with a penalty of $25,000; and two serious violations with a penalty of $9,500. The willful violations include inadequate training for employees exposed to electrical hazards, failure to provide electrical protective equipment to protect employees from arc flash hazards and electrical current, and failure to use appropriate safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags to warn employees about electrical hazards. The repeat violation is due to the facility’s failure to use approved covers for electrical junction boxes. The serious violations include the use of an unapproved junction box in a wet and damp location and a failure to provide voltage-rated tools. Proposed penalties total $299,500.
• June 16, 2010 — Portland, Ore.: OSHA’s inspection found workers were performing tests on live electrical equipment and doing so without adequate PPE, safety-related work practices and warning signs, as well as working on equipment that had not first been de-energized. As a result of these conditions, OSHA issued one willful citation with a proposed fine of $70,000. In addition, two serious citations with $7,500 in fines have been issued for failure to adequately lock out machines’ power sources to prevent unexpected startup during servicing and for inadequate insulation on electric cables. “The Postal Service disregarded basic electrical safety practices, which left workers at this facility exposed to unnecessary risk of serious injury,” says Richard S. Terrill, OSHA regional administrator in Seattle. Proposed fines total $77,500.
• June 23, 2010 — Belleville, Ill.: Proposed fines total $2,925.
• June 25, 2010 — Scarborough, Me.: An inspection, which began in December 2009, uncovered employees working with or near live electrical equipment without adequate training or qualifications, PPE, safety-related work practices, and warning signs. In addition, OSHA found that access to electrical panels was blocked in several instances by materials being stored adjacent to them. Proposed fines total $430,000.
• June 25, 2010 — St. Paul, Minn.: Inspectors found employees working on live machinery without proper equipment or training, exposing them to the risk of electric shock. Proposed fines total $210,000.
• July, 1, 2010 — Capitol Heights, Md.: OSHA initiated an inspection in January 2010 in response to a complaint alleging the hazards. Inspectors cited four willful violations and one serious violation. The willful violations include inadequate training for workers exposed to electrical hazards, failing to provide electrical protective equipment to protect workers from arc flash hazards and electrical current, and failing to use appropriate safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags to warn employees about electrical hazards. Proposed penalties total $272,000.
• July 9, 2010 — Simi Valley, Calif.: Proposed fines total $13,175.
• July 22, 2010 — White River Junction, Vt.: OSHA’s inspection, which began in January 2010, found untrained or unqualified employees routinely performing troubleshooting, servicing, voltage testing, and maintenance on or near live electrical equipment, such as mail sorting and canceling machines. The machines had not first been de-energized, the workers lacked PPE, and insulated tools were not provided to perform electrical lockout/tagout procedures. OSHA cited six alleged willful violations of safety standards. Proposed fines total $420,000, chiefly for exposing workers to electrical hazards.
• July 26, 2010 — Boston: OSHA’s inspection, which began Jan. 28, 2010, found that employees, including mechanics and technicians working with or near live electrical equipment or parts, such as bar code readers and elevator control panels, were not provided with adequate training, safe electrical work practices, required PPE, or insulated tools. These conditions exposed the workers to the hazards of electric shock, arc flashes, and arc blasts — and resulted in OSHA issuing five willful citations. OSHA also found that the Boston facility failed to have an authorized person conduct periodic inspections of its energy control procedures to prevent the unexpected startup of machinery during maintenance. This situation resulted in one serious citation ($7,000 fine). “These citations and sizable fines reflect both the gravity of the hazards identified during this inspection and USPS’ knowledge of and systemic failure to address these hazards,” says Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. “The dangers of electric shock, burns and explosions were real, present, and ongoing. USPS must take comprehensive and aggressive action to correct these conditions once and for all.” Total proposed fines reached $357,000.
• Sept. 2, 2010 — Binghamton, N.Y.: OSHA issued citations for several serious safety violations, including lack of sufficient access and working space in front of some circuit breaker panels to permit ready/safe operation and maintenance of the equipment, as well as employees performing troubleshooting on or near energized circuits who were not provided with proper protective equipment. Proposed fines total $8,000.
• Aug. 11, 2010 — Dayton, Ohio: OSHA’s inspection, which began in April 2010, found that USPS failed to provide adequate electrical safety training, ensure that workers followed safety-related work practices while working on electrical equipment, provide workers with appropriate PPE while working on energized electrical equipment, address machine lockout procedures and hazards, and provide proper lockout/tagout training. OSHA issued citations for three alleged willful and six alleged serious violations. Proposed fines total $225,000.
• Aug. 19, 2010 — Portsmouth, N.H.: OSHA inspectors issued five alleged willful violations of safety standards following an inspection that found untrained or inadequately trained employees performing troubleshooting and voltage testing on or near live electrical equipment and wiring that had not first been de-energized. The workers also lacked PPE and were not instructed on proper electrical lockout/tagout procedures. USPS faces a total of $350,000 in proposed fines, chiefly for exposing workers to electrical hazards.
• Sept. 19, 2010 — Sharonville, Ohio: OSHA issued the three citations after inspectors found that USPS failed to provide employees working on electrically energized equipment with adequate training and protective equipment, exposing them to the risk of electric shock. Proposed fines total $210,000.
• August 27, 2010 — Kansas City, Kan.: The inspection revealed seven alleged repeat and 21 alleged serious violations. “There is no excuse for the lack of attention to the work environment that resulted in a multitude of violations, including seven repeat violations,” says Charles Adkins, OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. “It is imperative that employers take the necessary steps to eliminate hazards and provide a safe working environment for all of their employees to prevent accidents from occurring.” OSHA has proposed $191,000 in penalties against the facility.
• Oct. 12, 2010 — Columbus, Ohio: OSHA inspectors issued five citations, after they found USPS failed to properly train employees on safe electrical work practices and provide them with proper protective equipment when working on live machinery. USPS also failed to use proper procedures to prevent electrical parts from being inadvertently energized. Proposed fines total $210,000.
• Oct. 12, 2010 — Huntington, W.Va.: OSHA issued citations for failure to properly train employees assigned to work on electrical equipment and failure to provide workers with protective equipment. USPS also failed to use lockout procedures on machinery to prevent electrical parts from being inadvertently energized. USPS faces proposed fines totaling $212,500 for willfully exposing employees to electrical safety hazards.
• Nov. 17, 2010 — Bluefield, W.Va.: OSHA inspectors issued four citations after finding USPS failed to label electrical cabinets, properly train postal employees, use proper safety practices when exposing employees to live machinery, and provide adequate PPE. An additional serious violation was issued for allowing an unauthorized employee to perform inspections at the facility. Proposed fines total $287,000.
• Nov. 18, 2010 — Los Angeles: OSHA inspectors issued the USPS 18 citations after finding that USPS failed to properly train postal employees or provide them with adequate safety equipment, and live machinery was not properly de-energized, exposing employees to the risk of electric shock. Other violations included failure to maintain clean and orderly working conditions, maintain fixed metal ladders and guardrails, keep aisles and passageways clear, and properly mark circuit breakers. Proposed fines total $220,000.
• Dec. 29, 2010 — Shrewsbury, Mass.: OSHA inspectors found that the USPS failed to properly train postal employees or provide them with adequate safety equipment, and live machinery was not properly de-energized, exposing employees to the risk of electric shock. The facility also lacked proper voltage meters, and the USPS failed to perform periodic checks on energy control procedures. Proposed fines total $238,000.
• Dec. 29, 2010 — Duluth, Ga.: OSHA inspectors found no safeguards to prevent accidental startup of machinery, material was stored in front of electrical and circuit breaker panels, electrical boxes had unused openings, and there was exposed electrical wiring. Proposed fines total $80,000.
