| The 2009 NFPA 70E and Canada's 2008 Z462 are | | | | liability. |
| the consensus North American electrical safety | | | | Most electrical software and/or arcflash software |
| standards. Both standards require arc flash hazard | | | | provides ANSI Z535.4 labeling formats and output |
| labeling to warn persons of the potential danger near | | | | directly to industrial strength label machines. |
| electrical equipment. The requirement for arc flash | | | | The following is a brief summary of the do's and don'ts |
| hazard labeling is found in NFPA 70E Article 130.3(C), | | | | of arcflash hazard labeling. |
| Z462 Article 4.3.3.4, the National Electrical Code, Article | | | | Do's |
| 110.16, the CEC part 1 Rule 2-306, and in OSHA | | | | 1. Do label ""WORST"" case energy or PPE level. |
| 1910.335(b)(1) for general safety hazards. | | | | Consider all possible modes of operation. |
| There are as many different ways equipment has | | | | 2. Do label per ANSI Z535.4 |
| been labeled, as there are engineers and electricians in | | | | 3. Do label using only one color, Orange for Warning or |
| industry. Unfortunately, many of the methods being | | | | Red for Danger. |
| used are incorrect. Incorrect labeling methods may | | | | 4. Do standardize on only one working distance - |
| actually decrease worker safety, while increasing a | | | | preferably 18 inches for all labels in a facility. |
| company's liability should an accident occur. Several | | | | 5. Manage down PPE levels using work permits stating |
| concepts should be kept in mind when developing an | | | | increased distances based on work task and proper |
| arc flash hazard labeling program. | | | | safety procedures. |
| A labeling program should not be used to label for | | | | 6. Label to warn of potential danger, not for the |
| energized work, but rather to warn of the potential | | | | purpose of working on the equipment. |
| hazard for each equipment. Labeling to ""assess"" a | | | | 7. Do use common sense in your hazard labeling. |
| hazard, select PPE levels, or perform energized work | | | | 8. Do implement NFPA 70E Article 130.1 work permit |
| based on the information provided on the label can | | | | requirements for all energized work, even if a label is |
| lead employees to bypass other safety requirements | | | | present. |
| such as work permits, work procedures and job | | | | Don'ts |
| briefings. | | | | 1. Don't label each MCC bucket, breaker/fuse cubicle, |
| Arc flash hazard labels should always reflect the | | | | or plug-in (busway). |
| worst case energy or PPE requirement for that | | | | 2. Don't label using colors for PPE level. |
| equipment at a standard 18 inch working distance. | | | | 3. Don't label with multiple distances or PPE levels on |
| Labeling for an increased distance such as 24 or 36 | | | | the same equipment. |
| inches can lead to misapplication of the label for other | | | | 4. Don't make it complicated. |
| work tasks and thereby increase liability. | | | | 5. Don't substitute labeling for NFPA 70E Article 130.1 |
| All arcflash hazard labeling should comply with ANSI | | | | work permit requirements. |
| Z535.4 labeling formats. Deviation from this industry | | | | Proper arcflash hazard labeling is not difficult, if you |
| standard with custom labels leads to increased training | | | | have the proper electrical software or arcflash |
| requirements and potential confusion for offsite | | | | software to model your electrical system, and you |
| contractors and engineers. In any accident involving | | | | follow the guidelines above. |
| litigation, custom labels open the door to increased | | | | |