How to Protect Against Arc Flash Hazards

An arc flash is a dangerous release of energy produced by an electrical fault in the air from one phase to another phase, or from one phase to the ground. The elements released during an arc flash event are: intense light, sound, pressure, and extremely high temperatures. Arc flash hazards exist in many professional environments, but those who work in or around energized electrical equipment are at the highest risk: maintenance workers, electricians, and operators engaged in working with electrical generation, transmission, or distribution systems. When an employee is in close proximity to an arc flash event, serious injuries, burns, and even death can occur. PK Safety carries a full line of arc flash protection from top brands like Oberon and National Safety Apparel to keep workers safe.

NSA Arc 40 ArcGuard Revolite Kit bundles arc flash pieces together and creates an easy all-in-one solution: a coat, a bib overall, an arc hood, safety glasses, a hood bag, a gear bag, leather protectors, insulating gloves, and a glove bag.

Remember that all arc-rated garments are flame-resistant (FR), but not all FR garments are arc-rated for arc flash protection. When layering arc-rated garments, it is necessary to figure out the combined arc-rating of your garments and make sure it is consistent with NFPA 70 requirements.

If you are looking for arc-rated rainwear, we offer Arc H20™ Class 3 Rainwear Kit that comes standard with the Arc H20™ 30 in jacket which has hi-vis reflective trim, and the Arc H20™ Bib Overall. The kit also comes with a fluorescent orange mesh bag to allow the rainwear garments to drip dry, keeping them odorless for the next use.

Even when in rainy conditions, don’t forget to use an Arc rated balaclava, hard cap, and facesheild:

Oberon's 21AGR12AF-C500 is the lightest arc flash faceshield on the market today. The polycarbonate formula allows you to experience distortion-free, full-color spectrum viewing without color tints.

The Oberon's ARC13-BH-NB FR Sock Hood is made to be worn with the  ArcShield ARC12 faceshield to provide the 13 cal/cm2 ATPV-rated protection over the entire head.

PK Safety experts can guide you through the selection process once you know the risk/hazard level of your workspace. Check out our previous blog post on how to conduct a Hazard Analysis/Assessment: The Shocking Need for Electrical and ARC FLASH Safety.

If you have questions or would like help selecting the right protective equipment for your application, please give us a call at 1-800-829-9580, or go to pksafety.com.