Electrical Hazards Analysis

Abstract

The subject of electrical hazards analysis has been recognized by a small segment of the electrical industry for many years. The petrochemical industry and many government institutions have performed research on this subject for over twenty years. For the most part however, the electrical industry, at least at the user level, has largely ignored the subject, essentially reacting to catastrophic accidents, rather than proactively trying to predict and prevent them. Recent changes in consensus standards, along with a better general understanding of the seriousness of electrical hazards have resulted in a renewal of interest in the subject. As the awareness of electrical hazards increase many are puzzled by phrases like; "limited", "restricted", and "prohibited approach boundary", and "flash protection boundary". Understanding these terms is important to understanding shock and arc-flash hazard protection. NFPA 70E-2004, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace requires that an electrical hazards analysis be performed prior to working on or near exposed energized electrical conductors and circuit part operating at 50-volts or more. This is especially critical if the circuits have not been placed in an electrically safe work condition. This paper addresses the requirements to perform the "shock hazard analysis" and the "flash hazard analysis" required by NFPA 70E-2004, Section 110.8(B)(1), "electrical hazard analysis" as well as the "blast hazard analysis" and personal protective equipment requirements