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It is a widely held belief that an arc flash incident is rare. Not so. Check out these statistics compiled from various sources and pertaining to arc flash incidents in the U.S.:

As of December 1, 2014, manufacturers will no longer be allowed to ship products using old labels. Instead, they must be in compliance with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) regulations incorporated into the Hazard Communications standard published by OSHA in 2012. Among the changes: new GHS labels.

Energy sources including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal or other sources in machines and equipment can be hazardous to workers. During the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment, the unexpected startup or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees.

An arc flash occurs during a fault, or short circuit condition, which passes through as arc gap. The 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, and other causes.

Turkish officials have revised the death toll from Tuesday's mine disaster upward, to an estimated 300 people, with 18 miners are still trapped beneath the surface.

Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is getting social today with their first ever National Electrical Safety Month Twitter chat, which ESFI is cohosting with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

An Austin, Texas fertilizer company that was inspected after a worker's leg was entangled in an auger was cited for 12 violations, including failing to ensure adequate safeguards were in place to prevent workers from coming into contact with the auger during servicing and maintenance.

A follow-up inspection by OSHA at San Cast Inc. found workers still exposed to amputation and fall hazards at the Coshocton, Ohio, casting and foundry facility – despite previous citations stemming from a leg amputation suffered by a worker in June of 2013. OSHA has issued 17 additional violations, carrying proposed penalties of $155,900 as a result of the November 2013 inspection.

A roof collapse at a West Virginia coal mine last night has claimed the life of one miner, according to news sources. Families of miners who work in Boone County’s Mine #1 hurried to the site. One of the two men who were trapped underground in the incident, Eric Legg, reportedly did not survive.

OSHA has produced a new seven-minute video that explains how an injury and illness prevention program (I2P2) can enhance workplace safety and health. The “We Can Do This”  video shows a variety real-life workplaces and features commentary by OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels, a strong proponent of I2P2.