Technical Program Abstracts

A Comparison of Fabric Arc Ratings and the Perform and of Arc Rated clothing Exposed to Arc Flashes Generated Using AC and DC Energy Sources
Brian Shiels, James Cliver, Claude Maurice

The predominance of DC energy sources (e.g. electric vehicles, photovoltaic power generation, etc.) is growing rapidly throughout the world. As such, workers in a variety of industries are being faced with a growing risk of exposure to arc flashes generated from these DC sources.  However, all Standard Test Methods for determining arc ratings of products are based solely on AC energy, leaving a large gap in the known protective properties of all types of arc-rated clothing.  In this paper, the arc ratings of various fabrics are identified and compared using both traditional AC open air arc rating methodologies and novel DC testing methodologies.  Further, various garments made from these fabrics were also exposed to both AC and DC open air arcs to study the differences of full garment response to the two types of arcs.  With a clearer understanding of the different reaction and protective performance values, best practices and updates to various international standards are proposed to ensure worker safety when dealing with the rapidly growing risk of arc flashes from DC energy sources.

An AI Integrated Robotic System for Safe Operations in High Voltage Distribution Panels
Choonggun Kim, Doyoung Jeon, Hanwoo Lee, Myoungchul Lee

In high voltage distribution panels found in electrical substations and industrial facilities, electricians performing any internal maintenance typically de-energize the system, confirm the absence of voltage using a voltage detector, and then discharge the R/S/T terminals via grounding clamps. Despite these precautions, several electrocution incidents occur annually due to misinterpretations of the power status, mistakenly believing the system to be de-energized. This research proposes an advanced robotic system performing the dangerous operation to eliminate such human errors and enhance safety.

The robotic system consists of a voltage detection module, a grounding module, a depth camera, and a robotic manipulator. The voltage detection module contacts the R/S/T terminals to verify the de-energized state, then the grounding module ensures the terminals are properly discharged. A depth camera, employing a Yolov8-based instance segmentation algorithm, precisely identifies the positions of the R/S/T terminals, facilitating accurate navigation and operation of the voltage detection and grounding modules by the robot. The efficacy of this system, validated in real-world conditions, is expected to significantly mitigate the risk of electrical accidents.

Artificial Intelligence in Electrical Safety: Now and the Future
Jay Prigmore, Zarheer Jooma

Artificial intelligence (AI) while in its infancy, has and continues to play a major role in transforming electrical safety, especially within electrical maintenance and electrical safety management systems. AI utilizes advanced analytics and machine learning techniques to analyze historical or real-time data to identify patterns and anomalies that are used to detect potential electrical hazards or workmanship issues. Organizations may then take preventive measures, minimize electrical accidents, and create a safer working environment while potentially identifying leading indicators.

AI enhances the efficiency of electrical maintenance by continuously monitoring and diagnosing changes in deterioration levels before faults occur. It is anticipated that AI may predict the date and times of potential failures due to the ever-increasing historical database on numerous assets – allowing for condition-based maintenance instead of unplanned outages. AI also automates the analysis of certain electrical safety management systems, such as data from safety inspections and incidents, enabling quicker identification of safety gaps through corrective measures. Additionally, AI algorithms can provide real-time monitoring of electrical safety parameters, ensuring compliance with electrical safety regulations and electrical safety standards.

The paper discusses the potential for using AI to generate electrical work permits and reviews, quality checks on medium voltage joints, and PPE compliance. To highlight the potential of AI, this abstract was written using AI, allowing the engineers time to focus on other electrical safety endeavors.

Best Practice for Contractor Evaluation: Failure to Plan Is a Plan to Fail….
Rene Graves, Jennifer Martin

Having the right electrical contractor for your next electrical job or project can be the difference between a safe reliable installation, value, schedule accommodation, as well as peace of mind. When it comes to determining your best fit for the success of the project, it all starts with the contractor selection process. This paper will discuss important considerations you need to make in selecting the right electrical contractor for your project or site. It will discuss areas of consideration while evaluating electrical contractor proposals. It will also include risky pitfalls for the lack of an effective evaluation process, and the consequences attributed to not being proactive. Without considering best practices and other successful electrical contractor evaluation processes implemented by others, the likelihood of experiencing potentially dangerous consequences for using poor or unprepared electrical contractors is increased. Having the wrong electrical contractor on your job could result in significant consequences resulting in project delays, financial losses, safety hazards, and/or ultimately the loss of life.

Best Practices for Implementation of Temporary Protective Grounding on Electrical Systems
Eduardo Ramirez Bettoni, Dr. Balint Nemeth, Marcia Eblen

Temporary protective grounding (TPG), or personal protective grounding, is one of the cornerstones of electrical safety. However, its correct interpretation and proper field implementation can be cumbersome. The intent of this paper is to provide guidance on how to interpret the significant industry standards (e.g., ASTM F855, IEEE 1048, IEEE 1246, NFPA 70E), regulations (e.g., OSHA, NESC), and what are the best field practices for implementation. It gives recommendations on proper sizing, hardware, and system requirements of TPG. The paper includes applications for overhead line circuits (up to 500 kV), and enclosed equipment (up to 35 kV).

Case Study – Induced Energy on Communication Cable
Drew Thomas, Tracy Roberts

A 500kV line failure caused 20,000A ground-fault, which induced voltage onto a buried communication line resulting to equipment damage two miles away.  This case study will describe the event, analysis of the cause, and provide recommendations for evaluating higher risk locations for communication lines.

Competing Design Goals vs. Codes and Standards – Managing Electrical Safety Hazards
 Nehad El-Sherif, Thomas Domitrovich

Industrial power system design engineers often face the challenge of reconciling conflicting design goals. Compliance with safety codes and standards can sometimes add yet another level of complexity. Safety measures that are code-requirement offer one example of this additional complexity when trying to manage the cost of the installation. Another good example involves selective coordination requirements or design goals that present a challenge around equipment protection and arc flash reduction.  Selectively coordinated systems provide value to the installation around reliability and safety for electrical workers who must find and clear a fault, but these systems could be susceptible to higher incident energy levels resulting in extreme equipment damage and heavy PPE dress for electrical workers.

This paper aims to leverage power systems engineering fundamentals and establish a framework for industrial power system design engineers who must reconcile conflicting design goals while adhering to codes and standards requirements. Compromise is sometimes necessary, but the design engineer must manage electrical safety risk.  The topic of risk is reviewed to establish a foundational understanding of its two primary components – likelihood and severity – in relation to competing design goals. Subsequently, a brief overview of risk assessment and risk management as they apply to electrical hazards is provided. Fundamentals of power systems engineering are reviewed considering essential design goals that pose challenges to design engineers striving to mitigate risk while designing a practical power system. Lastly, the paper will wrap up with a few design examples to illustrate the aforementioned concepts.

Crime and Punishment… and Electricity – A Study on Court Cases in Finland Involving Electrical Safety From 2013–2023
 Vesa Linja-aho

As use of electric power imposes shock, arc flash and fire hazard to workers and the users of the electrical installations as well as to bystanders, electrical work is strictly regulated in industrialized countries. Exact requirements for both the installations and the competence of the electricians vary country by country. Neglecting the regulations can lead to criminal charge or damages order. In this paper, 71 Finnish court cases involving electrical safety are classified and analyzed from technical and safety perspective. The cases include workplace safety offenses, self-made illegal electrical installations as well as plain electricity thefts. If prosecuted, the trial leads to verdict of guilty in almost every case. If no actual accident happens, persons making illegal installations are typically convicted to small fine, but in work safety negligence or systematic illegal contracting the perpetrator can be convicted in jail or suspended sentence. The most severe case by consequences, an improperly installed underfloor heating cable causing a structural fire killing three adolescent girls, did not lead to criminal conviction as the offense had expired.

The results can be used in improving work safety by learning from incidents and focusing electrical inspections, as well as comparing legal system and safety legislation to other countries..  Selectively coordinated systems provide value to the installation around reliability and safety for electrical workers who must find and clear a fault, but these systems could be susceptible to higher incident energy levels resulting in extreme equipment damage and heavy PPE dress for electrical workers.

This paper aims to leverage power systems engineering fundamentals and establish a framework for industrial power system design engineers who must reconcile conflicting design goals while adhering to codes and standards requirements. Compromise is sometimes necessary, but the design engineer must manage electrical safety risk.  The topic of risk is reviewed to establish a foundational understanding of its two primary components – likelihood and severity – in relation to competing design goals. Subsequently, a brief overview of risk assessment and risk management as they apply to electrical hazards is provided. Fundamentals of power systems engineering are reviewed considering essential design goals that pose challenges to design engineers striving to mitigate risk while designing a practical power system. Lastly, the paper will wrap up with a few design examples to illustrate the aforementioned concepts.

Do You Know Who You Are Working For?  Do You Know Who is Working For You?  A Tragic Incident Involving a Host Employer, Service Provider and Serious Lessons Learned.
Jeremy Presnal, Kim Drake-Loy

Do you know who you are working for?  Do you know who is working for you?  Two simple, yet important questions when working in environments that contain electrical hazards.  Unprotected electrical hazards can result in tragedy and continues to be an issue based on the number of workers seriously injured or killed from exposure to and/or contact with such hazards.  Though there are many approaches to mitigate these risks, one of the biggest areas of opportunity in industry today remains the complex and challenging work dynamics at play when work is performed by a third-party service provider at a host employer site.  These dynamics exist between the host employer and service provider, as well as the workers.  Failure to understand and a lack of robust systems to control these dynamics will jeopardize the safety goals of both employers.

This paper will include a case study involving an unprotected electrical hazard occurring at a host employer, which resulted in a tragic and life altering injury, significantly impacting both companies.  The paper will explore the legal and risk management implications of such an event, the need for safety management systems, programs, training and tools, as well as an analysis of the applicable electrical standards and regulations.  The paper will conclude with a discussion of the pitfalls, error traps, and challenges that exist for both the host employer and service provider, as well as risk control methods and best practices to mitigate these risks.

Does ‘Avoid Contact’ Actually Avoid Contact?
 George Cole

When using air as the dielectric insulation for worker protection against electric shock, OSHA, NESC and NFPA 70E traditionally use a physical distance from the exposed energized part which is incumbent upon the nominal system voltage.  While they use differing terms to denote this safety demarcation, their purposes are essentially identical by providing a fixed line to prevent unintentional contact or unsafe encroachment with energized part(s).  OSHA and the NESC uses the term Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) while 70E refers to it as the Restricted Approach Boundary (RAB).

For the majority of voltages, the MAD and RAB establishes a defined distance in feet/inches or meters.  However, at lower but hazardous voltages, these standards move away from an actual linear measurement in units of length with the directive ‘AVOID CONTACT’ as their MAD and RAB.

At face value ‘AVOID CONTACT’ appears to be an easy concept, but as one digs into the purpose of the MAD/RAB, we see its subjectivity which leads to personal interpretations, especially with electrical workers who mistakenly believe it to mean “Don’t Touch It.”  With no definition or a lack of clear guidance, ‘AVOID CONTACT’ leads to misunderstandings that unnecessarily increases the risk of shock.

This paper will provide supportive evidence that ‘AVOID CONTACT’ requires proactive actions on the part of the worker that actually Avoids Contact.

Electrical Safety in the Workplace: How 13 Years of Electrical Fatality Data Can Help Prevent Electrical Fatalities
Daniel Majano, Brett Brenner

Contact with electricity continues to be one of the leading causes of fatalities in the workplace. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, over 70% of workplace electrical fatalities occur in non-electrical occupations, which may not require adequate electrical safety training to help prevent fatal electrical injuries. Data compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries found that the construction, natural resources and mining, and professional and business services industries have a higher-than-average rate of electrical fatalities compared to other industries, including manufacturing and trade, transportation, and utility industries.  This paper examines the commonalities in workplace electrical fatalities, the differences between fatalities in selected industries and occupations, and where improvements can be made in training to prevent these fatal electrical injuries.

Electrical Vehicles and Li-ion Batteries Manufacturing – What Are the Actual Risks?
Martin Brosseau

The current transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles introduces an all new set of risks related to lithium-ion batteries for manufacturer.  These risks not traditionally found on ICE assembly lines are both electrical, like risk of shock and arc flash, and non-electrical, like chemical exposure from li-ion cell electrolyte and thermal runaways.

Unfortunately, unlike traditional risks, there is still very few Standards, Guidelines, Regulations or even Best practices that actually addresses battery or EV manufacturing risks.  And on top of all this, the news coverage and the Internet presents spectacular images of electric cars and busses on fire, a distorted image far from the actual risks of EVs especially during manufacturing.  Consequently, assembly line workers and even technical staff have a high level of anxiety towards working on EVs.  This paper will present BRP’s approach assessing those new risks, evaluating the actual Arc flash and electrical shock risks during the manufacturing process and the mitigations measures implemented.  Thermal runaway risks will (must!) also be discussed as it is THE main risk related to Li-ion batteries.

Equipment Contributions: How Equipment Design Contributed to Two Electrical Incidents
David Mertz

Two recent electrical incidents demonstrate how the design of the equipment encouraged electrical workers to take actions that violated NFPA 70E principles. The features that encouraged non-compliant work execution will be described and how these deficiencies were mitigated. Design processes that help identify design features that will foster rather than compromise safe work practices will be identified.

Has Industry Solved the Arc Flash Risk?
Michael Kovacic, Karl Cunningham

Recent discussions of electrical injuries and fatalities have reduced the concern for arc flash hazards among some safety professionals. There is evidence that some of the data presented in literature may be underreporting incidents and leading to a false narrative. This paper presents some of the counter arguments that safety professionals may use to maintain careful vigilance with regards to arc flash hazards.

High Dexterity PPE to Avoid Electrical Shocks
Simon Robert, Kirk Gray

In cases where live-line work is necessary, workers rely on personal protective equipment to avoid electrical shocks. However, the standard insulating gloves used by Hydro-Quebec workers were found to be so thick and bulky that they were a hindrance during tasks requiring fine manipulation. This posed a serious risk to safety as it made the gloves more likely to be taken off, and several instances of shocks were recorded. In our attempts to answer this need for high dexterity insulating gloves, we faced multiple challenges, and to reach our goal we pursued a long process which involved allocating budgets, re-evaluating the application of standards, researching industry products and practices, conducting field and lab tests, negotiating with suppliers, publishing and explaining new guidelines, and launching a pilot program. We will explain in this paper each of the steps taken as well as the benefits of this new protective equipment.

How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Improve Arc Flash Predictive Models
Simon Giard-Leroux, Greg Pagello

Over the years, various techniques were proposed to calculate the arc flash arcing current and incident energy. Empirical models based on test results obtained from multiple arc flash experiments performed in laboratories were developed using various statistical methods to fit the experimental data, such as linear and polynomial regression. Other attempts have been made to evaluate the maximum theoretical incident energy using simple equations, notably for DC systems. In recent years, the development of artificial intelligence has brought to light various machine learning techniques that can be used to train regression models on arbitrary sets of training data. In this paper, we apply state-of-the-art machine learning techniques on published arc flash datasets and evaluate the predictive capability of these new models.

Our objective is to assess the potential gain in model accuracy and range of applicability of using these advanced regression machine learning techniques. We trained various models based on machine learning regression techniques, such as multi-layer perceptron (deep neural network), k-nearest neighbors, support-vector machines, kernel ridge, decision trees, etc. We optimized each model with hyperparameter grid searches using cross-validation techniques and compared their performance and generalization potential. With this paper, we hope that we can contribute to an increase in electrical workers’ safety by proposing techniques that lead to the development of more accurate models for arc flash incident energy prediction.

How to be the Employee in Charge (EIC) for a High Voltage Task
Joe Rachford

The Employee in Charge (EIC) is the Designated Employee as defined in OSHA 1910.269(x).  This paper will examine some of the responsibilities that are required to become the Employee in Charge (EIC) for a High Voltage task.  This is a very critical responsibility for a qualified person to oversee a High Voltage task and be responsible for the safety of all personnel involved on the job.  Frequently, in High Voltage training classes, a question is asked as to how to become the Employee in Charge (EIC) and what is involved once you are assigned to that position.  A lot of people do not understand the seriousness and importance of this position in a High Voltage job.

All High Voltage jobs require that there be a designated person called the Employee in Charge (EIC) prior to starting the job.  This is a specialized leadership role that requires proper training and technical understanding of High Voltage systems with good communication skills.  It does not require that the person is the supervisor on the job. Hopefully, this paper will give people the information they need to become the Employee in Charge (EIC for a High Voltage task.

Implementation of an Electrical Safety Authority in Order to Drive Continuous Enterprise Safety Improvement
Paul W. Brazis, Jr., Joe Waters, Leslie Peterson

The authors describe their experience implementing an Electrical Safety Authority at a global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) organization (herein referred to as “the enterprise”) where part of its operations conducts potentially hazardous electrical testing.  In addition to internal training, on the job training, safety compliance, and OSHA reporting, the enterprise has implemented a team approach to identifying, researching, and implementing electrical workplace safety protocols, procedures, and practices for the employees who conduct electrical testing in the enterprise’s numerous and diverse locations.

This paper will address the journey from identifying the need for an Electrical Safety Authority, the current successes of such a program, struggles the Authority met/worked through and future goals to continue keeping employees safe through the work of the Authority.  The application of NFPA 70E to the electrical testing performed will be explored along with how an Authority functions within the workplace and the employee’s role as the Authority.  Finally, two of the projects addressed by the Authority will be presented.  The goal of the Electrical Safety Authority is to implement approaches to electrical and workplace safety with the goal of reducing or eliminating electrical incidents and the authors belief that this type of approach to workplace safety can be implemented in a variety of workplace safety situations.

Investigation of the Quality of Electrical Installations in Commercial Properties in Brazil
Danilo Ferreira de Souza, Walter Aguiar Martins Junior, Edson Martinho, Lia Hanna Martins Morita

In 2023 alone, ABRACOPEL – the Brazilian Association for Awareness of Electrical Hazards, recorded 2,089 electrical accidents in Brazil, including fires, electric shocks, and lightning strikes, resulting in 781 deaths. It was observed that most accidents are related to the poor quality of electrical installations. Until the time of this study, there was no published document indicating the quality of Brazilian building electrical installations. Therefore, this research aimed to map and evaluate the quality of electrical installations, identify the main deficiencies, and promote awareness of the need for improvements. The methodology involved the application of 494 questionnaires in different states and regions of Brazil, covering urban and rural areas. The results indicate that only 35% of the properties have an electrical installation plan, and in many cases, the installations are carried out by unqualified professionals. Additionally, 43.6% of the properties have functional grounding systems; most use thermomagnetic circuit breakers for protection. However, a significant lack of residual current devices (RCDs) and surge protection devices (SPDs) increases the risks of electric shocks and equipment damage. The conclusions highlight the urgent need for awareness and implementation of electrical safety measures in commercial properties to ensure user protection and installation efficiency.

Is Adding More PPE a Detriment?
Jamie Guerrero

I encounter a lot of instances where the minimum PPE requirement needed for electrical work is superseded by separate onsite requirements that leads to unnecessarily difficult working conditions and may start to encroach on an over reliance on PPE versus safe work practices. Multiple sites require 600V or 1000V rubber gloves and Arc Flash face shield and balaclava when working on batteries at 125VDC or less. Even when positive and negative cables are physically impossible to reach, and batteries are ungrounded. Do some batteries have lethal AC ripple voltage?

Does more PPE mean safer? At what point will it end? Wouldn’t it be safer to not do the job? Technically, yes. Now what? Is worker comfortability, dexterity or understanding considered when devising onsite requirements? Do you just write off electrical expertise? Safe work practices? As with anything, there is a time and place.

It’s Time to Move the Needle in Electrical Safety
Landis “Lanny” Floyd

After more than 30 years of steady decline in occupational electrical fatalities in the US, the trend for more than 10 years has been flat. This plateau is characteristic of all occupational fatalities. The data for all occupational fatalities shows a downward trend since the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970. However, the trend in reducing fatalities from all occupational fatalities for the past 25 years has been flat. Leading safety organizations including OSHA, NIOSH, American Society of Safety Engineers, and the National Safety Council, and individual experts in safety management to emphasize new approaches to further reduce occupational fatalities.  This paper will review the efforts to address the flattened trend in all occupational fatalities, including Serious Injury and Fatality Prevention, Prevention through Design, Safety Risk Management, and the updated OSHA Voluntary Protection Program, and discuss how they can be applied to improve the effectiveness of safe electrical work practices provided by OSHA regulations and NFPA 70E.

Lessons Learned From Medium Voltage MCC Burndowns
Richard Neph

A MV MCC starter controlling a 3500HP motor melted down before the final arc flash event.  We believe the event lasted days.  What happened, why was it not noticed, how can we prevent this from reoccurring.

Lightning Safety Advocacy Programs
Helio Eiji Sueta, Danilo Ferreira de Souza

The increase in lightning strikes due to the worsening of global climate change presents a growing risk, resulting in deaths and injuries annually. This study is divided into two stages. The first stage presents the mechanisms of lightning injuries, including i) direct strike, ii) touch voltage, iii) side flash, iv) step voltage, v) upward unconnected leader and vi) trauma associated with the air expansion near the lightning channel. The second stage of the study is dedicated to presenting the main results of lightning safety advocacy programs, which combine engineering components, such as the protection of structures against lightning (LPS) and storm warning systems, with behavioral actions, such as training, alerts, the creation of councils, and governmental policies. Since the 1980s, with pioneering work produced in Japan, through initiatives in France, Italy, and the United States, where researchers developed safety guides and advocacy programs, there has been a continuous effort to mitigate risks.

The Lightning Safety Week program, which culminated in the founding of the National Lightning Safety Council (NLSC) in 2015. Globally, significant initiatives include ACLENet in Africa, ZaCLIR in Zambia, SALNet in South Asia, LALENet in Latin America, and the emerging APPAR in Brazil. The tragedy at Runyanya Primary School in Uganda in 2011, which led to the creation of International Lightning Safety Day, highlighted the need for global awareness. This study also proposes ways for government involvement, especially in developing countries, to improve lightning prevention and protection, emphasizing the importance of integrated and multidisciplinary approaches.

Lithium-Ion Propulsion Battery Occupational Safety
Deepankar Thakur, Wayne Casebolt, Timothy Hoxie, Scott Lubaczewski

The global automotive industry is rapidly moving towards electricity for propulsion of personal and commercial mobility. Designing and assembling batteries in-house is a priority for many automakers which brings a new level of complexity and workplace safety challenge to the industry. Lithium-Ion batteries powering todays EVs are posing new electrical, thermal, and chemical hazards to the workforce. As Dr. Gordon stated in many presentations made over the past few years, most safety standards and regulations are focused on consumer and end-user safety rather than occupational safety for workers assembling and servicing these high-voltage systems.

This paper intends to identify some of those hazards posed by these large batteries. There are no lockout tagout methods available to disable the high voltage in these batteries. The modular design of some batteries allows for segmentation to reduce the level of hazard, but the trend of cell-to-pack design is making battery segmentation improbable. Product design controls are the highest form of mitigation in the hierarchy of controls and this paper will discuss some aspects of design that can address these hazards and lays the foundation for industry best practices and potential future safety requirements in this emerging technology area of battery production and service. This paper will also discuss administrative controls where design solutions are not feasible.

Management of Electrical Installations After Floods: Improvements and Safety Practices
Danilo Ferreira de Souza, Hélio Eiji Suetai

Floods affect more than 20 million people worldwide annually, resulting in an annual cost of $96 billion. In May 2024, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 235 cities were affected by floods, leaving thousands of families homeless. There are potential dangers in re-energizing equipment and installations affected by floods without proper inspection and restoration. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive guidelines on how to handle and restore electrical components after floods. The objective of this research is to establish a set of best practices for dealing with flood-damaged electrical installations to ensure safety and functionality. The methodology involves two stages: i) first, a literature review of existing guidelines, and ii) lessons learned from the case of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil in 2024. An analysis was conducted on various electrical components, such as transformers, motors, and cables, and the impact of floodwater on the integrity and performance of these components.

The results indicate that most electronic components and devices exposed to floodwater should be replaced due to irreversible damage, while certain mechanical parts can be reconditioned if handled by professionals. The conclusions emphasize the importance of following these guidelines to prevent accidents and ensure the reliable operation of electrical systems in post-flood scenarios. Additionally, the need for specialized training and appropriate equipment to manage these tasks is highlighted, along with the role of manufacturers in providing support and recommendations for reconditioning or replacing affected components.

NFPA 70E 2027 Proposed Changes First Draft
Paul Dobrowsky

This presentation will cover the proposed changes to the 2027 edition of NFPA 70E. Attendees will learn about the Public Inputs as acted on by the NFPA 70E committee based on the First Draft Meeting.

Overlooked Dangers – Addressing Electrical Safety for Non-Electrical Workers
Caitlyn Wininger

Many advancements have been made to help electrical workers get home safely each day. When looking at statistics however, it’s not just electrical workers who need help being safe. Over two-thirds (2/3) of workplace electrical fatalities are attributed to non-electrical workers. These are people whose job duties do not seem to put them at a significant risk of electrical shock or an arc flash event, and yet they make up the majority of the electrical injuries and fatalities in the workplace. Why is this happening and how can this trend be stopped? In this paper, the reasons behind non-electrical workers having such high injury and fatality rates will be discussed, and possible solutions to this problem will be explored. Electrical safety isn’t just for electricians, it’s for everybody. Our country’s safety culture needs to expand and address these often overlooked dangers.

Practical Application of the Energized Electrical Work Permit Process
David Pace

The Energized Electrical Work Permit Process was a significant revision to NFPA 70E and has served as a valuable tool in preventing or minimizing hazards exposure and injuries, and in eliminating jobs that cannot be justified as needing to be done while the circuit is energized.  Since its introduction, its application has varied from site to site and from company to company.  Some are very effective, and some are not.  This paper intends to provide insight from the proposal submitter for its introduction into 70E on 1) what the EEWP is and where it came from, 2) the original intent and objectives, 3) the benefits, 4) simplified guidance on its application, 5) things that make it most and least effective, and 6) ways to incorporate it into your electrical safety program to get the most benefit.

Practical Battery Arc Flash Models
David Rosewater, Lloyd Gordon

Calculating arc flash incident energy (IE) in battery systems can be significantly improved in both accuracy and practicality. Annex D of NFPA 70E has referenced the maximum power transfer method since 2012, which tends to overestimate IE and has led to the overprescription of personal protective equipment for over a decade. Many alternative methods have been proposed but each requires information about the battery circuit, like circuit inductance or arc gap distance, that is not typically available to the safety professionals assessing risk of work activities. This confluence of factors has meant that many battery systems either do not have arc flash labels or are labeled with an arc flash hazard that would make them impossible to work on safely.

This paper conducts a review of dc arc flash models as applied to battery systems with the purpose of developing a practical IE calculation procedure that can be applied with limited information. We compare alternative methods to a review of published battery arc flash experimental data to determine tradeoffs between model complexity and accuracy.  The proposed approach accounts for source/circuit impedance, circuit protection, arc gap distance and orientation, Lorentz forces, and conductor burn back. Results are then compared against a survey of arc flash experiments to demonstrate that the procedure minimally overestimates the arc flash hazard under a range of conditions and that each additional factor considered enables a more accurate risk assessment. We conclude with specific recommendations to supplement NFPA 70E Annex D for battery arc flash.

Reaching the Construction Electrical Worker and Non-Electrical Worker
Earl Wiser

The ESW has done a fantastic job of advancing the safety culture in “facility” environments but has not impacted the construction industry to the same degree. There are statistics that appear to back this statement as it relates to the ESW and general industry trends, as there has been a plateau in fatality reduction and a high percentage of fatalities are non-electrical workers. It can be observed that facility / maintenance electrical workers and their supervisors are well represented at ESW from facilities such as industrial plants, research labs / DOE, datacenters, etc, while electrical contractors are not represented well, and non-electrical workers are not represented at all.

This paper will explore the fatality and injury statistics to illuminate the premise, explore ways to influence the construction industry, examine headwinds to advancing the electrical safety culture in construction, and ask the audience to consider ways in which the ESW can impact the construction industry. This paper will provide high level suggestions but is mainly intended to provoke thought and propose a paradigm shift (or at least paradigm expansion) for the focus of the ESW conference.

Safety Culture or Compliance?
Karl Cunningham, Michael Kovacic

Many organizations have developed their safety programs for compliance. to regulations and standards. This is often due to high level managers viewing the regulations as bureaucratic requirements that increase costs and impede progress yet recognizing that regulatory compliance is necessary to avoid fines. However, this paper will show how the approach to safety for regulatory compliance fails to achieve a safe work culture. The authors will show how some facilities created a safe work culture. As well, the case for how the safe work culture creates business value for the facility is also explained.

Special Treatment: A Study of Temporary Power in Construction
Joseph McManigal

Temporary power and the associated equipment are problematic in the construction industry.  The equipment is often recycled from one project to the next and in a state far from normal operating condition, as defined by NFPA 70E.  Installations do not meet NEC standards of permanently installed equipment.  Engineered design is overlooked and results in undersized conductors and underrated equipment.  Incident energy analyses are not performed, which limits the ability to properly select adequate PPE.  Urgency and time constraints are emphasized on the need to have temporary power available which leads to rushed installations and poor craftsmanship.  The result of combining all of these issues is unsafe equipment, unsafe operations, and an increased risk of both electric shock and arc flash hazards with inadequate levels of PPE.

This paper will show why temporary installations should be treated the same as permanent installations.  It will detail why the same effort should be made to install temporary equipment to NEC standards, have the same quality control measures, implement the same commissioning processes, and assess potential incident energy exposures.  Ultimately, the same respect should be given to all temporary installations as permanently installed equipment to make it safer for all.

Transient DC Arc-Flash Incident Energy Calculations for DC Distribution Systems
Albert Marroquin, Clinton Carne

The pressing need to reduce our carbon footprint has led to a significant increase in the integration of direct current (dc) distribution systems into our existing alternating current (ac) power network infrastructure.  The various dc power sources and loads that are coming online are integrated into the ac systems using Active Front End (AFE) power converters. An AFE is a device which makes the connection between the ac and dc networks. These dc power sources along with large dc capacitor banks introduce new challenges for the calculation of the dc arc-flash thermal incident energy (IE).

This paper presents a case study on the analysis of an actual dc distribution power system and focuses on the simulation methods that can be used to evaluate its dc arc-flash hazards. The paper discusses the fast transient dc fault currents which can be developed by this technology along with considerations on how to use these fault currents to perform the IE calculations. The presentation includes an overview of AFE systems and how they are applied to dc distribution systems and provides insights into how this equipment is serviced and the types of hazards an electrical worker is exposed to when working around this type of equipment to help qualified workers assess the risks and select the proper risk control methods and PPE to be used when working in this type of installation.

Use of Personal Voltage Detectors to Protect Electrical Contractors
Travis Keeney, Campbell Macdonald

Most electrical contractors have well-developed NFPA 70E and Electrical Safety Programs in place, but human error can still come into play leading to near-misses and contact injuries. Examples of these errors include: – Team verifies lock out but there was another energy source; – Inaccurate technical documentation; – Error in facility isolation communication; – Faulty grounding; – Look alike gear.

We examine the application of a wearable personal voltage detector to protect workers as an additional line of defense in situations where employees may make false assumptions or errors when working around energized parts and gear. We explore the evaluation of options, use case applicability, deployment and results.

Using AI & VR for Electrical Safety Training
Roger Nolter, Mike Doherty

In response to the continuing electrical workplace incidents and in particular the stagnant electrical shock death rates (~120/year over the last 11 years (ESFI), [esfi.org] there is a critical need to accelerate and revolutionize electrical safety training methodologies. This abstract proposes a holistic approach that integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) into both the design and delivery of training programs.

By combining the Systematic Approach for Training (SAT) with the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) process. The following 3 aspects of Electrical Safety training can bring real and sustainable improvements to the electrical sector.

Using an innovative technique – Systematic Approach for Training (SAT) process to improve performance in the design and development of high impact and valuable electrical safety training.

Using Technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the construct of that training.

Incorporating leading edge Technology such as Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality (VR/AR) in addition to hands on training in the implementation and evaluation phase of ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) for electrical safety training.

If the SAT process is used properly, especially in the Analysis and Design phase coupled with the appropriate technology, electrical safety training will be far more effective. Then it comes down to quality delivery and using the appropriate modern technology technologies in such a manner as to make it impactful, and effective. By incorporating this approach electrical safety training can provide a significant return on investment (ROI).