Arc Flash certification

[WhiteRook]

Does a company have to obtain a certificate of training on Arc Flash requirements and proceedures as listed in 70E? Does there need to be a sign off sheet in a company's safety program showing arc fault danger proceedures...like lock-out tag-out proceedures, ladder safety, etc.? If sub-contractors are involved, do they need to show that their people are aware of arc fault hazards?

These may not be the exact questions but you get the general idea...what does a company have to do to comply with OSHA and 70E in regards to Arc Fault?

Thanks for your input.

 

[zog]

First, there is no such thing as a certification for arc flash or 70E.

You (the employer) are the one who deems your employees qualified, which means they have the training as outlined in the 70E (Usually an 8 hour course) and they are familiar with the equipment, so not only is there a classroom training partion but also a hands on or field assesment part, you can qualify someone on one specific type of equipment or system but not on others. You also need to ensure they have the proper PPE, know how and when to use it, and you must Audit the work procedures used.

You also need to ensure that contractors on your property are also qualified per 70E, most companies send a letter to the contractors they use informing them they need to provide proof of this qualifiaction on company letter head by a certian date to work on your site (The 2009 70E will have an example contractor form to send out, or you can see one in the ROp's for the next 70E cycle on the NFPA webpage).

You need to perform an arc flash hazard analysis of some sort and label the equipment per 110.16 of the NEC.

There is a lot more to this, some companies offer a NFPA 70E compliance training intended for safety directors or owners to help them get started on the road to 70E compliance, until last week I used to teach this class, but I quit and going down a new career path. Feel free to PM me if you need any suggestion on how to get started.

 

[nakulak]

I have often wondered this myself, and the only answer I have ever been able to come up with is: not have any accidents.

I've been fortunate to only have been involved in a few serious job accidents, but no matter how safe the job is or how good your track record is, once there is an accident, no stone goes unturned in determining how at fault you are, down to the color of your socks.

 

[zog]

"not have any accidents."

Wow, i would love to know how to do that Makes everything so much easier.