The 4P’s Approach to Arc Flash Risk Assessment

Mike Frain of Electrical Safety UK Ltd discusses the electrical arc flash hazard and how the Dupont(tm) arc-guide has been developed to help employers comply with European law through risk assessment.

INTRODUCTION

Arc flash risk assessment for workers who operate in proximity to, or on, energised electrical equipment, cables and overhead lines, is an essential part of electrical safety management. Electrical work should be carried out with conductors dead and isolated wherever possible but there are tasks that require working either on, or in close proximity to, energised equipment. Even then it should also be acknowledged that the process of de-energisation often requires exposure to the hazard through interactions such as switching, racking and testing of equipment.