In the context of personnel safety, definition of electrical hazard is anything that has the potential to cause electric burn, electrocution, shock, arc flash, fire, and explosion that can cause illness and even death. This article will briefly discuss several type of electrical hazard based on NFPA 70E and OSHA which is abbreviated as BE SAFE. — Omazaki Consultant provides electrical hazard inspection, study, assessment, and audit of electricity facility and installation for industry, factories, and commercial office buildings safety throughout Indonesia and South East Asia. Contact us by emailing cs@omazaki.co.id or filling out the contact form.
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Definition of Electrical Hazard According to NFPA 70E
An electrical hazard is a dangerous condition in which a contact or equipment failure can result in electric shock, arc burns, thermal burns, or explosion.
Electrical Hazard Definition According to OSHA Section 1910 CFR 29
According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Section 1910 CFR 29, electrical hazards can be categorized as follows:
- B = Burn
- E = Electrocution
- S = Shock
- A = Arc flash
- F = Fire
- E = Explosion in hazardous area
The acronym for those electrical hazard is BE SAFE.
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Burn
Types of electrical burns
- Electrical burn: These burns are caused by the heat generated by the flow of electrical current through the body.
- Arc flash burn: These burns are high-temperature burns caused by an electrical arc or explosion.
- Thermal contact burn: These burns occur when contact with overheated electrical equipment.
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Electrocution
Electrocution occurs when a person is exposed to a lethal amount of electrical energy.
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Shock
Electric shock occurs when the body becomes part of an electrical circuit, with current entering the body at one point and exiting at another. Electric shock is defined as a reflex response to the flow of electric current through the body. The difference between electric shock and electrocution is that electric shock does not cause death, while electrocution involves exposure to electricity to the point of death.
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Arc Flash
Arc flash definition is the sudden release of unexpected heat and light energy produced by electricity passing through the air like a lightning. Electrical arc flash is also a phenomenon that is usually caused by accidental connection between live conductors, or between live conductors and the ground. Temperature at the arc point can reach or even more than 35000 Fahrenheit. It is four times the surface temperature of the sun. The air and gas around the arc rapidly heats up and the conductor becomes steam which causes waves called arc blasts. Arc blast is an advanced phenomenon of arc flash events.
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Fire
- Damaged cable/peeled insulation → exposed conductor
- Current generates excessive heat → carbonization of the insulation
- A gap forms → an arc fault occurs
- The arc produces very high temperatures → the copper melts
- Heat and sparks of molten metal ignite surrounding materials → an electrical fire
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Explosion
Gas/vapor – EN 60079-10-1
- Zone 0: Explosive gas always present
- Zone 1: Explosive gas may occur during normal operation
- Zone 2: Explosive gas is rare and brief.
Dust – EN 60079-10-2
- Zone 20: Combustible dust always present
- Zone 21: Combustible dust may occur (normal operation)
- Zone 22: Combustible dust is rare and brief.
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Regulation and Standard References
Nasional Indonesia
- Permenaker No.12 tahun 2015 – Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja Listrik di Tempat Kerja
- Permen ESDM No. 10 tahun 2021 – Keselamatan Ketenagalistrikan
- SNI 0220 : 2020 Persyaratan Umum Instalasi Listrik (PUIL) 2020
- Permenaker No.02 tahun 1989 – Pengawasan Instalasi Penyalur Petir
- Permen ESDM No. 10 tahun 2021 – Keselamatan Ketenagalistrikan
- SNI 03-7015 : 2004 – Sistem Proteksi Petir pada Bangunan Gedung
Overseas and International Standard Options
- OSHA Part 1910 – Occupational Safety and Health Standards
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 7E0 Electrical Safety in Work Place
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Contact Omazaki Consultant if you need any type of electrical hazard inspection, audit or assessment services in your existing industry, commercial or office building electrical installation facilities safety.
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