Graphic Products announced today that it has launched a new web site to provide in-depth information about the hazards presented by arc flash, and ways to address those hazards.

The URL for the new web site is: www.arcflash.me.

The new web site is called: The Arc Flash Information Resource Center

Arc flash is increasingly being recognized as a serious hazard in the workplace. The high temperatures and explosive nature of arc flash can result in serious injury and fatalities.

In the past decade NFPA 70E and the NEC have addressed arc flash hazards. However, a new revision of the code to be issued in 2009 will result in some changes. In addition CSA Z462 will be issued in Canada later this year, providing Canada with its first arc flash codes. The Arc Flash Information Resource Center will provide up-date information about these new codes when they are issued.

One of the changes coming in the new NFPA arc flash code is that specific information will be required on arc flash labels. The new web site will be regularly updated to reflect the most current code requirements, as well as providing information about potential future changes.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels, Workplace Safety

posted by Steve Hudgik - 11:11:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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A part of the new ILS software package, the Flash Label software is meant to enhance the ease and convenience of creating and printing die-cut arc flash danger and warning labels.

The improved arc flash labeling software boasts a straightforward user interface that easily interacts with your existing PC. This handy software is meant to work alongside the DuraLabel PRO label printer to create any number of arc flash warning and hazard labels.

Labels can be created that indicate the warning and potential danger of an arc flash, as well as detail required PPE and boundaries.

The software can store each label made for future use and reference; new labels can be added and existing labels can be easily modified or deleted.

Getting a facility outfitted with arc flash warning labels fulfills the new NEC Standard, Article 110.16. Arc flashes occur when a considerable amount of concentrated radiant energy explodes outward from electrical equipment. The pressure waves emitted from such an explosion can damage a person’s eyesight or hearing or cause severe burning.

Arc flashes are not limited to select equipment; any electrical device can produce arc flash if the energy is high enough. Labeling such hazards, then, is so important in light of this fact.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels, DuraLabel Pro, Graphic Products' News

posted by A King - 8:48:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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A new page has been added to the Graphic Products' web site, detailing the requirements for arc flash labeling. The new page is a part of the Graphic Products arc flash tutorial, and is located at:

http://www.graphicproducts.com/tutorials/arc-flash-labels.html

The NEC code requires that certain equipment that represents an arc flash hazard be labeled. However, this does not require that all arc flash hazards be labeled. For example, equipment installed prior to 2002 is not required by code to have arc flash labels. However, it is only wise and prudent to label all potential sources of arc flash without regard to when the equipment was installed or whether it is on the NEC list of equipment.

Arc flash represents a serious hazard. To expose employees to this hazard without proper warnings, supplied through labels and signs, is ignoring employee safety and opening yourself to serious liability should there be an accident.

Having proper arc flash labeling is not difficult. The DuraLabel PRO makes standardized and custom arc flash labels in minutes. Plus the DuraLabel PRO is a printer you should have in your facility anyway to address other labeling and sign making tasks. It can handle everything from making shrink tube wire markers to printing reflective parking lot signs. Give us a call today at 1-800-788-5572 to learn more about the DuraLabel PRO.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels, DuraLabel Pro

posted by Steve Hudgik - 2:01:00 PM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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A recent study shows that less than 15% of electrical equipment installed prior to 2002 has the proper arc flash labeling. AND only 55% of electrical equipment installed since 2002 has the proper arc flash labeling. The lack of arc flash labeling is a serious problem.

A new best practices labeling guide from Graphic Products provides a concise summary of arc flash labeling requirements. It starts with a facility inspection to identify arc flash needs. The guide then provides a comprehensive description of what is needed to ensure there is proper arc flash labeling throughout a facility.

The following Table of Contents provides on overview of what is included in this best practices guide:

• Required Tools
• Definitions
  ....What is Arc Flash?
  ....Definitions of Terms
• Evaluation - Facility Inspection
• Label Creation
  ....What Information Should Be Included On An Arc Flash Label?
  ....Needed Equipment and Supplies
  ....Label Creation Steps
  ....Label Creation Using Die-Cut Labels
  ....Label Creation Using Continuous Vinyl
• Label Placement
  ....Locations Where Labels Should Be Placed
  ....Removing Old Labels
• Label Maintenance
• One Page Arc Flash Hazard Labeling Guide

The Arc Flash Best Practices Guide may be downloaded free.

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Labels: Arc Flash Labels

posted by Steve Hudgik - 9:19:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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Arc flash labeling remains a major problem, with most equipment that represents an arc flash hazard remaining unlabeled.

Steve Hudgik, Internet Marketing Manager for Graphic Products reports that "A recent survey by the NEC Digest revealed that 'only 14% of the equipment installed before 2002 had arc flash warning labels, while 52% of equipment installed in 2002 and later had them.' This tells us that industry and facilities are far from complying with the labeling requirements of the NEC code."

The new NEC 2008 electrical code is now available. One of the big questions concerned whether the new code would change arc flash labeling requirements. The previous code only required that an arc flash label be used. This has not chanbged in the new code. You must label devices that pose an arc flash hazard, but there is no requirements concerning what information needs to be on the label.

Although there are no specific requirements, failing to mark equipment with arc flash labels that include appropriate information can still result in OSHA fines and lawsuits on the generic basis that the injured person was not adequately informed about the hazard.

The new DuraLabel PRO printer can help to solve this problem.

The DuraLabel PRO can create custom arc flash labels in a variety of styles and with whatever information you want to include. There are three basic types of DuraLabel PRO supplies available for making arc flash labels:

Die-Cut Supply:

If the incident energy has been determined for a device, the Flash Label Software provides a database application for creating, printing and storing arc flash labels. The Flash Label software prints on 4"x6" die-cut labels that have either a WARNING or a DANGER header pre-printed on the label. Labels can be printed in three languages: English, Spanish and French.

Two-Color Continuous Vinyl:

An option that provides greater customization is the two-color continuous vinyl tape available in three sizes. This tape is white with an orange stripe at the top. The DuraLabel PRO can print a signal word or phrase in the stripe, such as DANGER or WARNING. The white area, which makes up most the label, is used to print whatever other information or pictograms are desired. In addition to making arc flash labels, this material may be used to make other types of warning label.

Continuous Vinyl:

A third option DuraLabel PRO supplies provide is to use solid color continuous vinyl tapes. These tapes, available in over 30 colors, allow total flexibility in label design. Pictograms and text, in any language, can be combined to create custom arc flash labels and signs.

For more information about the DuraLabel PRO printer visit: http://www.duralabel.com/. For more information about DuraLabel PRO arc flash supplies visit: http://www.labelprinters.org/arc-flash-labeling-supplies.html

Labels: Arc Flash Labels

posted by Steve Hudgik - 7:52:00 PM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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A recent survey reveals that only 14% of electrical equipment installed prior to 2002 has the required arc flash labels. Half of the time a contractor is hired to work on electrical equipment, that contractor is not informed about the arc flash danger represented by the equipment. The NEC 2002 code required that electrical equipment be labeled to warn about arc flash danger, yet only 52% of equipment installed since 2002 has the required arc flash labels.

It is estimated that ten people per day are injured by an arc flash or arc blast. A smal label, providing arc flash hazard information, can eliminate many of these injuries.

For regular news and information about arc flash, we invite you to visit and subscribe to our arc flash safety blog.

If you have not yet labeled the electrical equipment in your facility with the appropriate arc flash labels, we urge you to get started today. If you need a labeler to print your arc flash labels, the DuraLabel PRO is an outstanding machine for this job. Not only because it quickly makes quality, long-lasting arc flash labels, but because it can also handle most of the other labeling jobs in your facility. The versatiliy of the DuraLabel PRO makes it a valuable tool.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels, DuraLabel Pro

posted by Steve Hudgik - 8:32:00 PM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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Alan Privette of Duke Power has created an arc flash heat flux calculator that is available free. It calculates the heat flux on a surface resulting from an arc flash with a specified voltage, available current and arc gap. The calculator can be useful when determining arc flash boundaries.

This software has been available free for a while. However, a new download site provides an easier to install version of this software. To download go to:

http://www.labelprinters.org/duke-power-heat-flux-calculator.html

The above download provides an automated install system that copies the files to your hard drive, and sets up icons on your desktop and in your Start menu. This makes the software easy and convenient to use. In addition, this version of the software comes with updated documentation that provides more details on how to use the software, in particular what to do if you make a typo or enter wrong information.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels

posted by Steve Hudgik - 8:21:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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Get everything you need to do arc flash labeling in your facility, including a FREE copy of the NFPA 70E code!

Graphic Products now offers a NFPA 70E Arc Flash Labeling Starter Kit that includes the DuraLabel 4TTP printer, arc flash labeling / database software, die cut labels, vinyl tapes and two types of ribbons. There are enough supplies to make several thousand arc flash labels. But you don't need to use this kit just for arc flash labels. Using the materials in this kit you can also make pipe markers, equipment labels, safety signs and much more.

Give us a call today for more information: 1-800-788-5572. And when you place your order be sure to ask for your FREE copy of the NFPA 70E Code Book. It's a $40 value and you can get it free!

Labels: Arc Flash Labels

posted by Steve Hudgik - 9:19:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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This month's issue (June 2006) of Occupational Health & Safety magazine has an excellent article that provides an overview of NFPA 70E. It is not as much an implementation guide, as implied by the title of the article, but it is a complete summary of the requirements of NFPA 70E. As such it serves as an excellent starting point when implementing NFPA 70E, as well as providing a good executive summary for management.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels

posted by Steve Hudgik - 8:19:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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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

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As a service to our customers, a FREE Arc Flashing Label Quick Reference Guide is now available from Graphic Products.

This guide is an excellent reference to arc flash labels, allowing your staff, new employees, vendors, contractors, inspectors and visitors to quickly become familiar with arc flash labels. On a single, easy-to-read, page this guide provides a complete overview of the information on an arc flash label. Topics covered include protection and approach boundaries, why PPE is required, and information about energy related hazards.

This guide provides method to quickly get people up to speed, so that anyone can understand the information provided by an arc flash warning label. It is excellent mounted on the wall in a maintenance shop, control room or warehouse. It can also be used during classroom training either as a reference or a handout. (Please contact us at 1-800-788-5572 if you need multiple copies.)

This guide is available free, without cost or obligation of any kind. We even pay the postage for mailing it to you. Just click on the following link:

Free Arc Flash Label Guide

Labels: Arc Flash Labels

posted by Steve Hudgik - 8:11:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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For a quick introduction to the dangers of arc flash and arc flash labeling, visit the Graphic Products online Arc Flash Tutorial. It will introduce you to the NFPA 70E and NEC standards, as well as provide an overview of the dangers of arc flash and the importance of proper labeling.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals that over 11,000 days away from work resulted from electrical burns, fires, explosions, and electrocution/electrical shock. Learn what can be done to improve electrical safety in your facility.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels, Labeling and Sign Making News

posted by Steve Hudgik - 8:53:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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New from Graphic Products,
the Arc Flash Label Information Guide.

This one page guide provides an overview of the information on an arc flash label. It allows employees, supervisors, vendors, contractors, inspectors and visitors to quickly become familiar with arc flash labels. Using this guide they will have a basic understanding of arc flash labels, and be able to respond appropriately to the warning information on the label.

The Arc Flash Information Guide provides information about protection and approach boundaries, the need for PPE, and the hazards of various types of energy discharges. The objective of this guide is to provide enough information such that those who are not qualified to be near equipment that poses an arc flash hazard, will understand the boundary information and the reason for those boundaries.

The Arc Flash Information Guide is available FREE from Graphic Products.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels, Free Guides

posted by Steve Hudgik - 9:36:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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Graphic Products is offering a free copy of the Practical Solution Guide to Arc Flash Hazards, published by ESA. This 160+ page book is a $70 value! To request your copy go to: Arc Flash Book.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels

posted by Steve Hudgik - 1:38:00 PM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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This FREE Book is filled with information you can really use! It's called the Practical Solution Guide to Arc Flash Hazards by Chet Davis, PE, Satish Shrestha, Conrad St. Pierre, and Robert Luo, PhD. Arc flash injuries account for almost 9% of all workplace fatalities. This $70 value book contains a wealth of useable arc flash data that will aid you in getting in compliance with standards and regulations, and ensuring a safe workplace.

An arc flash occurs when components fail or when conductive material gets too close to a current source. The resulting arc can heat the surrounding air to temperatures four times hotter than the surface of the sun, vaporizing metal in the equipment and causing severe injury to bystanders. Observing arc flash safety standards is an effective way to reduce the risk of arc flash injuries. And the book "Practical Solution Guide to Arc Flash Hazards" can help you get started.

Labels: Arc Flash Labels

posted by Steve Hudgik - 7:20:00 AM - - Permanent Link to This Article

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