A recent study by the RAC Foundation reveals that the annual exercise of rolling back the clocks to GMT causes a spike of 20 additional car crashes a day, with 75% of these in the afternoons which are darker after the clocks change. Their report is consistent with many others around the world which attribute this phenomenon partly to the changing light levels and partly to fatigue caused by the short-term impact changing the clocks has on our bodies -...

Every October, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) runs a themed safety campaign aimed at businesses operating in this fast-growing industry. This year, they’re focusing on electrical safety with a month-long ‘Stop The Shock’ campaign. Their goal is to reduce exposure to major electrical hazards during the construction and operation of wind farms. Campaign materials include support materials for training, posters and hard hat stickers. They have also produced a webinar which focuses on different types of electrical hazards, appropriate...

It’s thought that many instances of Arc Flash are generically reported as electrical RIDDOR incidents and is a potential example as to why Arc Flash mitigation isn't always considered. Unfortunately, this means it’s impossible to know exactly how many Arc Flash incidents occur each year. Through our own ProGARM studies and industry knowledge though, we believe it’s far more common than most people realise. The consequences of Arc Flashes can be devastating for those involved as the injuries sustained can...

Last month we reported on Arc Flash risks during construction groundworks and how risks to contractors and engineers on site can be mitigated, especially by following HSG47 safety guidance. HSG47 is the Health & Safety Executive's issued guidance aimed at all those involved in commissioning, planning, managing and carrying out work on or near underground services. It’s comprehensive in covering the three basic elements of safe systems of work through planning, locating & identifying buried services and safe excavation. The...

For those working in the power generation sector, who are likely to be interacting with extremely high voltages and large currents, the risks of Arc Flash have always been better understood than in many other industries. Yet there’s a new risk emerging in the shape of false security. False sense of security creates Arc Flash risk In recent years there have been huge advances in the technology available to detect circuitry faults. Within fractions of a second, these fantastic systems...

While Arc Flash training and PPE equipment tend to be focused mainly, or even only, on those working in high voltage environments, civil engineering contractors preparing a site for construction often face Flash Risks & incidents. This is because service maps often return inaccurate information about the location of underground utilities, including electrical cables. So, anyone digging or breaking ground could face a Flash Risk from a life-altering or life-threatening Arc Flash incident. The Impact of Inadequate Service Maps on...