From arc flash accidents to electric shock hazards in pools and marinas, here are the top electrical safety stories from 2017 that were featured on ISHN.com.

Arc flash victim avoids injury thanks to PPE

December 12, 2017

An arc flash at the Panda Power station in south Sherman, Texas, sent one employee to the hospital. Sherman Fire says It happened around 7:30 a.m. at 510 Progress Drive in Sherman. The Panda Sherman Power Project is a clean natural gas-fueled, 758-megawatt combined-cycle generating facility. The plant can supply the power needs of up to 750,000 homes.

Severely burned lineman receives outpouring of coworker support

December 12, 2017

Zach Spicer, a substation supervisor for DES, Dickson County, Tenn., suffered second-degree burns to his face and neck and third-degree burns Aug. 25 afternoon on his hands and forearm at the DES Old White Bluff Substation just as he prepared to teach a class. He was accessing a breaker cabinet, high voltage side when contact or an arc formed, causing an electrical fault that released heat and energy.

How to give a toolbox talk on arc flash explosions

December 12, 2017

The US Department of Labor estimates that every day in the United States five to ten Arc Flash Explosions occur on the job. Arc Flashes are incredibly violent and devastating to any worker exposed to the instantaneous phenomenon. Most of the time the exposure will result in serious injury or even death. Electrical equipment is designed to withstand up to a certain amount of current.

Contractors face multiple electrical hazards

December 12, 2017

Electrical contractors are responsible for the health and safety of employees who are exposed to a variety of hazards. Some of these hazards are obvious, such as electrical shock and electrocution. Others, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), back injuries, slips and falls, or automobile-related incidents may not be as obvious.

Arc flash explosions occur every day

December 12, 2017

Five to 10 arc flash explosions occur in electric equipment every day in the United States, according to a presentation by Eddie F. Jones, Square D / Schneider Electric, and Progress Energy. This number does not include cases in which the victim is sent to an ordinary hospital. Instead, these incidents are so severe the victims require treatment from a special burn center.

What you should know about an arc flash

December 12, 2017

An arc flash occurs during a fault, or short circuit condition, which passes through this arc gap. The arc flash can be initiated through accidental contact, equipment which is underrated for the available short circuit current, contamination or tracking over insulated surfaces, deterioration or corrosion of equipment and, or parts, as well as other causes.

Arc flash PPE market trends gaining momentum

December 11, 2017

According to CAGR market research released in December, 2017, one trend in the market is multiple functionalities of arc flash protection equipment. The latest trend in the market is safety equipment with multiple functionalities, i.e., apparel and safety equipment that are not only used for protection against arc flashes but other hazards as well. Vendors offer arc flash protection equipment with a combination of high visibility and flame-resistant (FR) capabilities, providing protection against multi-hazards.

What you need to know about power line safety after a storm

September 18, 2017

Severe weather happens year-round. Tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms can seriously damage power lines and other electrical equipment. Storm damage causes dangers that lurk after a storm has passed. Safe Electricity encourages you to be aware of and prepared for those dangers.

More than 50,000 workers from U.S. and Canada rush to restore power

September 18, 2017

More than 7.1 million customers were without power across Florida and in parts of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina as a result of Hurricane Irma. As the storm moved through the region, companies were able to address more than 1.25 million outages, due largely to recent investments in energy grid technology and automation.

Be a safe DIY-er - avoid electrical accidents when using power tools

August 9, 2017

Eager to get to that project you’ve been planning – the one that will require you to use power tools? In addition to the obvious hazards (saws cut off about 4,000 fingers in the U.S. each year, for instance), there are electrical hazards that you may not be thinking about – but you should be.

Industrial safety tips to help avoid electrical injuries

Ryan Bridges

August 3, 2017

Industrial work is somewhat known for its risk for injury. However, it's still not something people often think about when actually doing the work that risks so much injury in such a substantial way. There are various ways injuries can happen when doing industrial work.

Mich. contractor killed in electrical accident

July 21, 2017

A contractor for a Michigan utility company died Wednesday after being electrocuted during what was apparently a routine pole change procedure.

NFPA and ESFI work to reduce fatalities caused by electric shock drowning in pools and marinas

July 14, 2017

With summer in full swing, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) are joining forces to remind people about the potential electrical hazards in swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, on board boats and in the waters surrounding boats, marinas and launch ramps.

Power plant suffers arc flash accident

June 9, 2017

An arc flash at the Panda Power station in south Sherman, Texas, sent one employee to the hospital. An employee was de-energizing on a breaker when an arc flash occurred. The accident happened around 7:30 a.m.

Arc flash accident at Air Force base

June 9, 2017

Two people were injured in an industrial accident at Offutt Airforce Base near Bellevue, Nebraska. The injured were working on an electrical circuit around 2:30 p.m. when the accident occurred.

OSHA analyzes two arc flash accidents

June 9, 2017

In the first case study, an electrician was working on a circuit breaker panel that he thought was deenergized. After completing the work, the electrician was closing one of the enclosure doors when an arc flash occurred.

Arc flash severely burns worker at utility facility

June 9, 2017

An electric arc flash injured a worker at a power generating facility. When the arc flash occurred, a 48-year-old electrician was working on an electrical cabinet that was still powered. The wiring contractor employee suffered second and third-degree burns to his hands, arms and torso.

OSHA states what employers must do to protect employees from electric arcs

June 9, 2017

In general, the employer must: Assess the workplace to identify employees exposed to hazards from flames or from electric arcs; Make reasonable estimates of the incident heat energy of any electric-arc hazard to which an employee would be exposed;

5-10 arc flash explosions occur daily

June 9, 2017

It is estimated that 5 to 10 arc flash explosions occur in electric equipment every day in the United States. In the mining industry the largest single injury category of electrical injuries are caused by non-contact electrical arcs.

8 tips to avoid arc flash explosions

June 9, 2017

A journeyman electrician and an electrical helper were at a worksite to install a new three-phase run of wire between an existing energized 480-volt circuit breaker panel and a new piece of machinery. During the process, the journeyman electrician attempted to install a missing bolt from a breaker mount on an energized 480-volt bus bar.

The price that is paid for arc flash/blast accidents

June 9, 2017

Electricity can cause two types of burns: electrical burns from direct contact with current and thermal burns from arc flashes and blasts. An arc flash occurs when powerful, high-amperage currents travel, or arc, through the air. This can occur when high voltage differences exist across a gap between conductors.

Arc flash hazards have not been adequately addressed in the mining industry

June 9, 2017

Arc flash generally refers to the dangerous exposure to thermal energy released by an arcing fault on an electrical power system. In recent years, arc flash hazards have become a prominent safety issue in many industries. 

NRC investigates nuke power plant electrical fault

June 9, 2017

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission undertook a special inspection at Florida Power & Light’s Turkey Point nuclear power plant to assess the failure of a safety-related electrical bus that resulted in the plant declaring an alert.

ISO adopts symbol meaning “to warn of an arc flash”

June 9, 2017

Did you know the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) adopted a new symbol meaning “to warn of an arc flash”? Many workers die each year as a result of arc flash explosion accidents – and most are killed because they failed to wear proper PPE.

How to avoid electrical shock in the home

ESFI helps decode the code

April 24, 2017

Just in time for National Electrical Safety Month – May -- the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is launching its annual effort to help reduce electrically-related fatalities, injuries, and property loss. This year’s campaign theme is "Decoding the National Electrical Code® (NEC) to Prevent Shock and Electrocution," which features resources to help protect against common electrical hazards.

Workrite Uniform Company shares leading causes of industrial fires

Flame-resistant clothing company highlights key hazards to encourage proactive safety measures

March 10, 2017

Flash fire, arc flash and other thermal hazards pose a significant safety threat in a variety of workplaces. Recognizing the key causes of these hazards in industrial settings — as well as wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) — can go a long way toward reducing worker injuries. In light of this, Workrite Uniform Company, a flame-resistant (FR) clothing manufacturer, encourages all industrial personnel to pay careful attention to the following common fire starters and implement proper safety measures.