Known as a “testing laboratory” with a strong regional
presence in the Midwest, High Voltage Testing and Safety
Products (HV) was purchased by Irby in February of 2007.
At the time HV was implementing a new strategy to reposition
and re-brand itself in the market place. With the
acquisition, we were able to implement our new strategy of
being a one-stop, complete Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) supplier with the goal of establishing ourselves
nationally. Since the purchase we have been working with
Irby marketing, sales and branch operations to integrate
our products and services to an expanded network of
customers and branches. HV currently has two primary locations — Fargo, North
Dakota, which serves as the main warehouse / testing
laboratory and Minneapolis, Minnesota which operates as
a sales office. In addition to these locations, HV supports
and provides all testing services, PPE clothing systems and
related products to all the Irby branches nationally. High Voltage Value ModelThe HV value model is based on a three-layered approach
to electrical safety and protection. The three layers are
(1) Rubber Insulating Gloves and Equipment (2) Arc Flash
Protection (3) Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing. This is shown
in the “safety triangle” diagram that was developed based
on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and being “actualized” or
in your case “safe” from an electrical discharge of energy.
The goal being to communicate that if you are missing any
one of the layers, then you are at risk from an electrical
shock or arc flash blast. This PPE value model is supported
by our NAIL Certified Testing Laboratory where we follow
stringent ASTM and ANSI standards. The value model has
application across all markets including Utility, Industrial,
Contractor and Commercial business segments. Standards and Regulations Driving the IndustrySafety requirements and regulatory issues will continue to
significantly impact the electrical industry as enforcement
and compliance become more stringent. Many of them have
been recently updated or are in the process of revisions.
These standards affect all electrical workers across all
industries and utilities. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E and
Arc FlashNFPA 70E is one of the various documents comprising
the National Electric Code published by the National Fire
Protection Association. Its intent is to protect workers in
every industry around any device capable of generating an
arc flash or electrical shock.
- Arc Flash is a sudden release of electrical energy through
the air when a high voltage gap exits and there is a
breakdown between conductors. An arc flash gives off
thermal radiation and bright, intense light that can cause
burns. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 35,000
degrees Fahrenheit. An arc flash can be spontaneous or
result from inadvertently bridging electrical contacts with
a conducting object. Other causes may include dropped
tools or the buildup of conductive dust or corrosion.
- High voltage arcs can also produce considerable pressure
waves by rapidly heating the air and creating a blast. The
pressure burst can hit a worker with great force and send
molten metal droplets from melted copper and aluminum
electrical components great distances at extremely high
velocities.
It is important that you establish an electrically safe work
condition before working on a circuit or any energized
equipment. To create an electrically safe work condition
you should:
- Identify all power sources
- Interrupt the load and disconnect the power
- Visually verify that the disconnect opened the circuit
- Lock-out and tag-out the circuit
- Test for voltage
- Ground all power conductors
All these steps require the use of appropriate PPE for shock
and arc flash protection including voltage rated gloves,
Flame Resistant (FR) work clothes, arc-rated face shield,
flash suits with hoods and safety glasses. National Electric Safety Code (NESC) 2007The 2007 National Electric Safety Code has given power and
communications utilities until January 1, 2009 to determine
the potential exposure to energy and electric arcs for
employees who work on or near energized electrical lines
and equipment. Employees are required to wear clothing
or clothing systems with an effective arc rating greater than
the anticipated level of energy. Furthermore, if the potential
employee exposure is greater than 2 cal/cm2 the employer
shall require employees to wear clothing or clothing systems
with an effective arc rating. In order to comply, utilities must
determine the expected levels of potential arc energy for
employees performing the work and choose appropriate PPE
to match the arc energy requirements. New OSHA Ruling regarding PPEAs of May 15, 2008 all employers should be in compliance
with the new OSHA rule that all PPE must be provided by the
employer at no cost to the employee. The final rule clarifies
OSHA’s requirements regarding payment for employee-owned
PPE and replacement PPE and indicates it must be provided to
the employee at NO COST. Who is responsible for Safety?
- Employer - responsible for complying with OSHA requirements,
the Electrical Safety Program, Safety Policies / Procedures
and Safety Training
- Employee - responsible for adhering to the procedures
- Owner - responsible for contractors on their jobsite
Safety Facts (From WH Salisbury)
- Electrical Safety is the most over-looked employee work
hazard
- An estimated 30,000 non-fatal electrical shock accidents
occur each year or 3.5 per hour
- 600 people die from electrocution each year
- Electrocution is 4th in work related fatalities with the majority
of these incidents occurring at 600 volts or less
- Approximately 3,000 reported flash burn incidents are
reported annually from an arc flash and ignition of flammable
clothing
- 350 deaths related to arc flash or blast occur each year
How can HV help ensure that I comply with electrical
safety standards?
HV offers a complete one-stop safety solution for all your
electrical PPE and training needs. Based on our three-layered
approach to complete electrical safety coverage, supported by
our certified testing service, we can help ensure the safety of
your electrical workers. HV services include:Testing Services High Voltage Testing and Safety Products is accredited by North
American Independent Laboratories (NAIL) for protective
equipment testing and we are capable of testing with voltages
from 500 to 100,000 volts. All equipment is tested according to
the latest American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.
We test all types of rubber insulating gloves, sleeves, blankets
and line hoses. We can also test all types of tools such as
hot sticks, grounding equipment and jumper cables. It is
important that you re-test your equipment according to the
schedule below.
Type of Equipment and When to Test
- Rubber insulating Gloves - Before 1st issue and every 6 months at maximum
- Rubber insulating Sleeves - Before 1st issue and every 12 months at maximum
- Rubber insulating Blankets - Before 1st issue and every 12 months at maximum
- Rubber insulating Line Hose - When dirty or insulating value is suspect, usually
every 12 months
- Other Rubber insulating Cover - When dirty or insulating value is suspect, usually
every 12 months
Arc Flash Suits and Flame Resistant (FR) Daily Wear
ClothingThe type of PPE you provide your workers is determined by
the type of electrical work you perform, your overall safety
program and whether you use sub-contractors for some of the
work. As a general guideline, you should consider the following:
- All under garments should be of natural fibers such as cotton,
wool or silk
- Flame Resistant (FR) daily wear shirts and pants are
recommended for qualified and un-qualified workers if
there is a high or constant level of exposure to energized
equipment
- Use Arc Flash suits and hoods for higher levels of safety or
if you will be testing, de-energizing or turning equipment
back on.
It is critical from a safety standpoint that the appropriate
PPE be worn at all times when working on or near energized
equipment. All electrical work should be done by qualified
personnel and an assessment of the electrical hazard level
performed. All PPE should have labeling identifying the
cal/cm2 rating or hazard risk category (HRC) of each item. Rubber Insulated Gloves and EquipmentRubber insulating equipment is your first line of defense
from electrical shock. HV carries a complete line of rubber
insulating gloves, sleeves, blankets and line hoses. If something
fails during the testing process we can provide a replacement
immediately. We can replace a single glove or a pair. Your
life depends on your rubber protective equipment. The level
of protection that rubber gloves provide depends on their
condition. It is the responsibility of the user to maintain their
gloves and other insulating equipment in good condition. HV \ Irby ToolsUtility contractors and customers can count on HV\Irby Tools
and Services to have the products they need to get the job
done and the service expertise to keep them working properly.
When it comes to tool repair and service, Irby is authorized by
the industry’s top manufacturers. You can trust Irby to get the
job done right the first time. In addition to tools and repair, Irby offers you product testing,
demonstrations and training to keep your tools industry
standard certified and to help ensure proper selection and
application. Custom designed grounds and jumpers are built
to your specifications. They can be built and shipped the same
day you place your order! No matter what the task demands,
a call to HV\Irby is the fastest and easiest way to get the right
tools to get the job done on time. NFPA 70E Arc Flash TrainingNeed help in interpreting the various standards in the industry,
providing training to your employees on electrical safety or
selecting the proper PPE? HV can coordinate training at your
site or our branch. You can also earn CEU training credits! The course content typically involves the following key areas:
- Electrical Safety Regulations and Standards
- Hazards of Electricity
- The Shockings Facts
- Equipment Arc Flash and Blast Boundaries and Hazards
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Arc Flash Calculations
- Training Recommendations
- Working with Contractors
In addition, a on-site training session may involve a preliminary
review of your electrical system, equipment and help with
formulating one-line diagrams. What should be your next step to get compliant and
ensure the safety of your electrical workers?
- Contact your local Irby branch or sales representative to setup
a meeting to review options for Electrical Safety Training
and/or selection of Personal Protective Equipment.
- Check your existing equipment, especially focusing on your
rubber glove certification dates. If they are out of compliance
(date is over 6 months old), remove them from service and
send to HV for testing and recertification.
- Request an HV Testing and Safety Products Catalog to
become more familiar with our complete products and
service offerings.
- Schedule NFPA 70E training for yourself and your
employees.
- Order NFPA 70E or NESC 2007 Standards Booklets as a
reference or to get up-to-date with the various standard
changes.
For more information or questions call 1-800-742-8054 or your
local Irby branch. |