Arc flash explosions do not happen… I have never seen one! Seriously? We hope you never will see an arc flashaccident. Unfortunately, electrical work by its very nature is dangerous due to the high energy levels involved and, until an accident occurs, electricity is odorless, colorless, and invisible. As an electrical worker, you’ve chosen the third most dangerous profession, according to OSHA. In its article “The Danger of Arc Flash,” July 2009, Fire Engineering magazine said arc flash, “kills two workers a day, every day, year in and year out” and often these accidents "may occur when you perform routine maintenance" so, the likelihood that you will complete your career un-victimized or without knowing an arc flash victim is quite slim.
NFPA-70Eis the standard governing arc flash – Well, not really. It’s really about reducing live work by de-energizing a circuit first and putting it in an electrically safe condition before starting to work.