As a lesser-known risk, there are a whole host of Arc Flash myths which are bandied about as truths. Anyone who has worked in environments with an Arc Flash risk knows that these flashes of intense energy are no joke. Presenting a real risk to health and even to life, it’s essential that electricians, electrical engineers and anyone else responsible for or working on electrical switchgear is able to separate fact from fiction. So, what’s the truth? ARC FLASH MYTH...

There are many variables that can influence the scale of an Arc Flash, including voltage. But the idea that such an extreme and intense explosion can only arise in high voltage environments is a myth. Though it’s broadly true that the greater the voltage the more significant the safety risk associated with an Arc Flash, there are many other variables which can influence the severity of an incident – even in low voltage environments. Arc Flash incidents happen when there’s...

With so much uncertainty still remaining about what will happen after 31 January 2020, how can you be sure your Arc Flash PPE will still protect you after Brexit? The simple answer is that ProGARM has committed to ensure that all of our garments and equipment provide the highest level of protection after Brexit so that you can be confident your workwear will continue to protect you and your team from the hazards you face. What Arc Flash PPE standards...

It should be no surprise that winter arrives each year, with its colder temperatures, less hospitable weather and, with it, a new set of health and safety risks. As with most health and safety topics, planning and preparing for prevention are the best tools to make sure that your workforce is safe. Here are some of the biggest health and safety risks in winter weather and what you can do about them. Slips and trips As the weather turns wetter...

Electrical equipment requires a wide range of labelling to ensure that people working on or near it are aware of the hazards it could present. In the case of arc flash labels, there are a number of key pieces of information you need to look for and understand in order to be sure that you would be protected in the event of an incident. Labels complement the hierarchy of control , which is critical to preventing incidents, allowing you to make...

Given the nature of the injuries that can be sustained in an Arc Flash, the general lack of awareness of Arc Flash risks is still disappointingly low. Our Arc Flash Survey in 2017 revealed a staggering 78% of respondents were still unaware of what the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) guidance included when it came to reducing the risks of Arc Flash incidents. In the UK, British Standard BS EN 50110, Operation of Electrical Systems, provides the governing safety guidance...

Too often overlooked as a health and safety concern in comparison with other work environment risks, an Arc Flash can be potentially deadly. Arc Flashes most commonly occur when somebody is switching on electrical circuits - in particular, tripped circuit-breakers - and are the result of electric current flowing through an air gap between conductors. The ensuing flash can burn at a level of heat as intense as the surface of the sun, causing catastrophic burns or injuries, and even...

The hierarchy of control is a critical process in preventing health and safety incidents. Think of it as a strategy for safety. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that risks should be reduced to the lowest level practical, but also that not every step will be relevant to every project. The standard hierarchy of control is: Elimination – removes the cause of danger completelySubstitution – controls the hazard by replacing it with a less risky way to achieve the same outcomeIsolation –...

How much does Arc Flash protective clothing cost? Margins are tight, so budgets are tight. You need to know your decisions will keep your colleagues safe, but you’re also under pressure to keep spending to a minimum. Commercially, it’s understandable that you’re expected to justify your procurement decisions. So here are some ways you can show that what seems like a more expensive purchase now, will save you money in the longer term. How buying the cheapest Arc Flash PPE...