August 29, 2017 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Swearingen Engineering Center (Swearingen 1A03)
University of South Carolina
301 S. Main St., Columbia, SC

2015 NFPA 70E – Chapter 2: Safety-Related Preventive Maintenance Requirements Methods & Benefits

This technical session focuses specifically on electrical safety in the workplace, namely National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E Standard for arc flash safety (Chapter 2). Most commercial, industrial, and institutional owners and managers are acquainted or are becoming acquainted with the NFPA 70E Standard on how to best comply with OSHA’s General Duty Clause calling for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Because protecting human health and welfare is always a top priority, electrical hazards (frequently severe and carrying high dollar fines) are one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” violations.

The 2015 edition of NFPA 70E is like previous editions in that it contains equations that only a professional engineer can appreciate. Naturally, the inclination is to retain such an engineer to wade through all those calculations, place appropriate hazard labels, and advise what PPE to have on hand. The good news is this is entirely rational and reasonable, and will save lives and reduce injuries. The bad news is (1) this (inclination) may also allow hazardous conditions that would not otherwise exist, and (2) this may give everyone a false sense of security.

Regarding bad news (1), without having done the incident energy analysis (engineering) and identifying the hazards involved with energized work, many owners and managers historically have simply prohibited work on live parts; but, after NFPA 70E engineering, it may appear that it is now safe for employees to work on energized equipment under specific conditions. Regarding bad news (2), without verifying proper installation and performing preventive maintenance on electrical assets, the calculations may be way off, perhaps with fatal results. So, owners and managers may be sending technicians into harm’s way because of doing arc flash incident energy analysis alone, without preventive maintenance.

AGENDA-AT-A-Glance

6:00PM Networking & Dinner

6:30PM Greetings, Section Reports

7:00PM Presentation

Jeff Beukema, Electrical Services Consultant; Transworld Inc. Electrical Contractors, Charleston, SC
8:30PM Closing

Presentation on the company’s website

Demonstration of the Ultrasonic Device