ARC FLASH PROTECTION ARC FLASH 101 – HOW TO PROTECT


YOURSELF FROM A DEADLY STRIKE When it comes to industrial safety, all of us understand the importance of wearing a hard hat, protective gloves or steel toe-capped boots. However, the same can’t be said for those that run the risk of experiencing an arc flash. Something that, especially in the wind power industry, is far more common than most may think


Tony Arnett, Managing Director at Arc Flash clothing specialists, ProGARM, explains what an arc flash is and how you can protect both yourself and your colleagues.


WHAT IS AN ARC FLASH? Most of us in the wind power industry are familiar with an arc – an


electric luminous bridge formed in a gap between two electrodes – but its severity and danger are often overlooked. An arc flash occurs during a fault, or short circuit condition, which passes through an arc gap. This can happen for several reasons, from accidental contact to contamination or deterioration and corrosion of


equipment – and can have devastating results if the correct equipment isn’t being worn.


Expelling large amounts of deadly energy – causing an ionization of the air – an arc flash can reach temperatures as high as 20,000 degrees celsius. To put this danger into context – an arc flash is hotter than the surface of the sun. These extreme temperatures can severely burn human skin in fractions of a second, while the blast can rupture eardrums and cause blindness.


HOW SHOULD YOU PROTECT YOUR STAFF? Unfortunately, there is no way to fully protect yourself from an arc flash incident, however protective clothing can help to protect against fatal consequences. If worn correctly, arc flash protective clothing and equipment can help to prevent serious injury and fatalities.


Enhanced and effective arc flash protection comes through wearing layers of protective garments manufactured from inherent fibres and feature specific arc flash resilient components. ProGARM also offers specially-designed garments for the wind power industry, including head harnesses and helmets.


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