Toolbox Talk: Arc Flash Awareness

Before you start

Find an electrical panel with an arc flash label and bring the crew to it, or take a photo of one to show.

Read this to your crew

An arc flash is an explosion of energy when electricity jumps through the air between conductors. It can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun, throw molten metal and cause severe burns in a fraction of a second.

Today we will talk about how to stay out of harm's way around energized equipment.

Key points

De-energize first. The safest approach is to shut off, lock out and verify the equipment is dead before work starts.
Only qualified people. Only qualified, trained workers may open panels or work on or near exposed energized parts.
Read the label. Arc flash labels show the arc flash boundary and the protection needed. If there is no label, ask before opening anything.
Respect the boundary. Unprotected and unqualified people stay outside the arc flash boundary while work is under way.
Wear arc-rated PPE. When it is required, wear arc-rated clothing and face protection. Synthetic clothing can melt onto skin.

Ask the crew

Who on this site is qualified to work on energized equipment?
What does the arc flash label on our main panel tell us?
When would you stop and ask before opening a panel?

Picture this

A maintenance worker opens a live 480-volt panel to reset a breaker while wearing a polyester shirt. His screwdriver slips and causes an arc flash. The shirt melts onto his arm. De-energizing the panel or wearing arc-rated clothing would have prevented the burns.

Print this page to use the sign-in sheet, or skip the paper and record attendance digitally in SafetyIQ.

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Talk leader: ______________ Date: ______________ Site: ______________