Electrical Safety
Protect people and property from electricity-related hazards
Electricity-related incidents resulted in 1,322 fatalities between 2011 and 2022—70% of those in non-electrical occupations. To avoid incidents, it’s imperative that electrical equipment be inspected regularly and that everyone working on, near, or with it understands how to do so safely.
DEKRA provides safety assessments and training ideal for any environment where electrical safety is essential for worker protection and regulatory compliance.
Use these services to evaluate electrical hazards in your workplace, train workers on proper safety techniques, and keep people and facilities safe.
Arc Flash & Shock Hazard Analysis
Staying OSHA and NFPA 70E compliant for arc flash safety requires a facility to define safety responsibilities, provide PPE and training to workers (see below), and conduct an arc flash risk assessment with subsequent labeling.
NFPA 70E requires an arc flash risk assessment at least every 5 years and whenever a major modification or renovation takes place. The purpose of the assessment is to determine and document:
- Whether an arc flash hazard exists, and if so…
- Appropriate safe-related work practices, the arc flash boundary, and PPE to be used within that boundary
This industry standard arc flash risk assessment uses a comprehensive, 11-step process and state-of the art-modeling software to:
1. Collect system data
2. Determine mode of operation
3. Determine bolted fault currents
4. Determine arc fault currents
5. Locate protective devices and duration of arcs
6. Document system voltages & classes of equipment
7. Select working distances
8. Determine incident energy for all equipment
9. Determine flash-protection boundary for equipment
10. Diagram the power distribution system
11. Label all equipment as required, including
Arc Flash/NFPA 70E Training
Hand in hand with an arc flash risk assessment is safety training for anyone working with or near electricity. Arc flash training is required for electrical maintenance personnel, operators, troubleshooters, electricians, linemen, engineers, supervisors, site safety personnel, or anyone exposed to energized equipment greater than 50 volts.
DEKRA’s Arc Flash/NFPA 70E training course is taught at your location by subject matter experts with extensive knowledge, certifications, and industry experience. This comprehensive training covers:
- What constitutes an electrical hazard
- Risks of arc flash
- Best ways to prevent an arc flash
- Which employees must be trained
- What are the requirements
- Proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures
- Safe electrical work practices
- How to use protective equipment
- How to test equipment and insulated tools
- How to establish and maintain compliance
- Conducting electrical inspections
- Maintenance of electrical equipment
- Switching and clearing procedures
- Clearing distances
- Electrical hazards in confined spaces
- Portable electrical equipment
- Fault current calculations
- ...and more!
Infrared Inspections
A non-invasive and non-destructive infrared (IR) inspection allows you to see into your electrical equipment using infrared light spectrums to identify hot and cold spots and heat anomalies that fall outside allowable tolerances. The IR report includes pictures of anomalies and a list of recommendations for fixing issues.
IR inspections are an excellent preventive maintenance tool to:
- Prevent downtime due to premature failures, which are most often caused by overloaded breakers or loose connections.
- Reduce the likelihood of an electrical fire
- Protect employees and contractors
- Track trends in equipment issues to help predict potential problems and proactively address them
NFPA 70B and the NETA (International Electrical Testing Association) recommend performing an IR inspection annually.