Research during the last decade of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century, has defined the high risk levels associated with electrical arc. The practical results of this research have included methods that may be used for the calculation of minimum approach distances for the avoidance of both electrical shock and severe electrical arc burns. See Cadick Corporation Technical Bulletin 001a.
Recognizing that some activities require approaching closer than allowable when unprotected, methods have been developed to determine the type, style, and amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) that must be worn. For example, electrical shock PPE selected using tables based on the voltage level and the nature of the task to be performed.
The selection of PPE for electrical arc protection is somewhat more complicated and uses a technique called flash hazard analysis. Always at the leading edge of technology, Cadick Corporation is the first engineering firm to offer flash hazard analysis.
Whether based on worst case industry tables or using analytical engineering techniques, flash hazard analysis is a safety related (and required) must do for commercial, industrial, and utility electrical power systems.
