Labeling, Sign Printing and Safety News
This blog features news and comments from Graphic Products related to equipment, supplies and services for labeling, sign making and safety related applications.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Doing It The Right Way: NFPA 70E
Maintenance Technology magazine has an excellent article in their May 2006 issue. The opening paragraph states:
"Companies across the U.S. and Canada are pursuing compliance with NFPA 70E—the standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Sadly, some of them also are making any number of costly mistakes in the process. Here are some tips to help your organization avoid being one of them."
The article then discusses 14 tips - six things you should avoid doing and eight that you should do. Each tip is accompanied by an explanation and suggestions for implementing the tip. Some of the tips are:
"Don't wait for an accident or for NFPA 70E to become a legal requirement before implementing its requirements."
"Don't purchase flame-resistant clothing needlessly."
"Don't implement policies that you are not willing to enforce."
"Do complete an arc-flash hazard analysis."
"Do keep a copy of the arc-flash analysis data files in your files."
Two of the recommendations specifically addressed labeling:
"Do label equipment with enough detail to inform the worker of the potential hazard and PPE requirements."
"Do make sure your equipment has been properly labeled"
The article points out that "since 2002 the National Electrical Code has required the labeling of panelboards and similar electrical equipment to warn of potential flash hazards." It also points out that from a practical view, it makes little sense to follow NFPA 70E in determining the arc-flash boundary and required PPE if that information is not made easier available to workers. Arc flash labels should be placed in easy-to-see locations… locations that can be viewed before panel doors or equipment is opened, to provide the necessary information.
The article also points out that there is a problem with equipment labeling in many facilities. For example, electrical disconnects may not be properly labeled and identified as required by the National Electrical Code, Section 110.22. In addition, the load (the equipment itself) should also be labeled to identify its disconnect.
You can read this article online at: http://www.mt-online.com/articles/0506_electricalsafety.cfm
Use the links on the upper left of this page for more information about labeling machines that can make the labels recommended in this article. In particular we recommend the DuraLabel 4TTP label printer.
Labels: Arc Flash Labels
posted by Steve Hudgik - 9:59:00 AM - Permanent Link to This Article
