A Thermographer's Common Sense Approach to Arc Flash Safety

This paper will highlight some of the electrical safety issues that have been addressed by NFPA 70E and the effect that the rules have on the day-to-day infrared thermographer. When professionals place themselves in potentially unsafe situations, certain measures need to be taken to not only work safely, but also to promote safety for customers. While following NFPA 70E rules and recommendations is not a choice, certain safety practices and precautions can effectively limit the amount of potential hazardous exposure we all have in daily work activities. This paper outlines not only the NFPA 70E guidelines and requirements, but also sheds some light on common sense work practices that can be put in place to reduce unneeded exposure to unsafe conditions. Flame retardant clothing/safety work apparel is only the first step to working safely. This paper outlines a prework safety checklist and discusses the importance of job briefings (or tailgate meetings) to discuss the plan for daily activity, address potentially hazardous conditions, plan a plant walk through, and discuss conditions and procedures that a plant outsider needs to know and adhere to.