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ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF PRIME'S COMMITMENT TO SAFETY:
Arc Flash Training to electricians, Prime Electric Inc. is one of the only companies in three states to take such preventative measures.
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The flash is instantaneous, almost too fast for the eye to comprehend. The end result in this incident could be more than $15 million in direct and indirect costs to a company as well as serious injury or death to the worker. Prime Electric recognizes this and therefore will not ignore safety issues surrounding Arc Flash explosions.
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WHAT IS ARC FLASH?
An Arc Flash is a short circuit through the air which occurs when insulation or isolation between electrified conductors is breached or weakens to where it can no longer withstand the applied voltage. The temperature of an Arc Flash can reach more than 35000º F. A colossal amount of concentrated radiant energy explodes outward from the electrical equipment diffusing hot gases, melted metal, causes death or severe radiation burns, as well as produces pressure waves that can damage hearing or brain functionality in addition to the flash that can damage eye sight.
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This fast moving pressure wave can send loose material such as pieces of equipment, metal tools, and other objects into flight possibly injuring anyone standing nearby. Between five and ten times a day an Arc Flash explosion occurs within the United States ensuing burn victims, and the costs of these incidents is staggering.
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DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS:
Serious studies of Arc Flash began in the early 1980's. Since then work has evolved with OSHA, the NFPA and the IEEE along with other companies to compile a set of regulations specifically to address Arc Flash. Regulations now require the calculation of the “Flash Protection Boundary”. Inside of this imaginary sphere surrounding the potential Arc point workers must be protected accordingly. This boundary is different for different types of equipment and the voltage involved. Once you have an accurate analysis then the proper preventative measures can be taken.
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| PRIME ELECTRIC'S SAFETY TRAINING MEETS ALL OF THE SET FORTH REGULATIONS SURROUNDING ARC FLASH: |
• A safety program with defined responsibilities
• Calculations for the degree of an Arc Flash Hazard
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers
• Necessary tools for safe work
• Recognition of warning labels on equipment |
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Prime knows that the safest way to address maintenance and repair situations with electrical equipment is to work only when the equipment has been verified as de-energized, but with facilities operating continuously that is just not possible. So Prime’s safety program stipulates procedures that address these hazards. Our goal is to remove the worker from the danger zone or eliminate the intensity of a potential Arc Flash.
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PRIME ELECTRIC INC. STANDS ABOVE:
Economics is constraining safety in many companies. Arc Flash is a low probability high cost event. Therefore one could argue the point of extra preventative measures being taken. However Prime Electric believes in “Team Safety” and our management promotes safety first at all times and safety excellence embodies everyone’s role. Therefore all of our employees do not go into an “Energized” situation without careful planning, proper protection, and all the necessary training. “Our Team knows the facts before they make a decision to perform work on energized electrical systems.” says our Chief Safety Officer. This is a value that is woven into the core of all that Prime Electric Inc. stands for, and works towards.
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