Issue #2 Arc Flash Warning Labels
When OSHA does a safety audit on a facility, company, or business one of the first things they check is to see if the electrical panels are properly labeled with OSHA compliant arc flash warning labels or stickers. All hazardous equipment installed or modified after 2002 is required to carry a warning label. NEC 110.16 specifically mentions “switchboards, panel boards, industrial control panels and motor control centers that … are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized.”
Equipment must be marked in the field, rather than by the equipment manufacturer or installer. Arc flash hazard varies depending on actual operating conditions, including current protective devices and voltage. Labeling is the responsibility of the company operating the equipment.
Labels must be placed and sized so as to be visible to personnel before beginning maintenance or inspection.
If your facilities warning labels don’t look like this (4”x6”) then you may not be in compliance with OSHA and NFPA. Call ITU today to find out how you can get in compliance. Toll Free#: 866-851-9993
A. Represents the level of danger depending on the incident energy. Ratings range in number from 0-4. 0 represents little or no risk while 4 signifies greatest risk.
B. Identifies the arc performance of a material or system of materials and are expressed in calories per centimeter squared.
C. Identifies the Personal Protective Equipment that MUST be used according to the hazard category rating.
D. Identifies panel location within facility.
E. This is the closest anyone can approach the equipment that has the potential for arc flash, without the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
F. This boundary may only be crossed by a “qualified” person who has been trained in the hazards of the component or equipment being serviced.
G. Only a qualified person using adequate shock prevention equipment and techniques may cross this boundary.
NFPA 70E 2009 requires that one of two specific pieces of information appear on arc flash labels: available incident energy or required level of PPE. These values are determined by an arc flash hazard analysis, and need to be calculated separately for each piece of equipment labeled.
This is a new requirement. Previous versions of the code did not specify what information should appear on labels. NFPA 70E 2009 requires that all arc flash analysis be reviewed at least every five years to “account for changes in the electrical distribution system that could affect the results of the arc flash hazard analysis.” Although this does not require changes in arc flash labels, some consultants are recommending that the date of the arc flash analysis be included on each label. (Required in Canada)
Examples of Illegal (Not in compliance with OSHA or ANSI) Arc Flash Warning Labels.
No Incident energy level, approach boundary and no level of PPE specified. Also the word “Danger” and red background is reserved for exceeds 40 calorie PPE warning labels.
No Incident energy level, approach boundary and no level of PPE specified.
