Put Safety First in Complying with NFPA 70E
Arc flash (or arc blast), shock and electrocution cause over 600 deaths and over 35,000 reported injuries each year. Arc flashes typically occur when a short circuit occurs in electrical switchgear, often during maintenance work. The resulting "arc blast" is a bomb-like explosion that releases thousands of pounds of force, carrying with it molten shrapnel and a super-heated fireball.
In any situation where electrical distribution equipment is involved, the safety of the electrician, laborer or thermographer working on the equipment should be the primary concern. After that, the question on the minds of many is "What do we need to do to be compliant with NFPA 70E?"
The answer can involve a number of items, depending on the equipment and what is being done on a day-by-day basis. As NFPA 70E (the standard adopted by OSHA) becomes better defined, more companies and organizations are analyzing how they protect employees and contractors in situations where injury could occur. And how they comply with codes and standards.
In part, the current 70E Standard requires employers to:
- Perform a Flash Hazard Analysis to define Arc Flash Boundaries and document the incident energy levels of related equipment or consult the 130.7(C)(9) tables
- Provide workers with appropriate levels of PPE (personal protective equipment) - on a side note, Table 130.7 (C)(9)(a) is no longer being used for PPE. Coverage is being broadened under Table 130.7 (C)(9)
- Allow only qualified personnel to work on or near live parts
- Train workers on electrical safety and safe work-practices
- Use safety signs, symbols and accident prevention tags where required
- Provide tools for safe work
"The key is to understand NFPA 70E. If you know the law, you can comply. If you know the danger, you can avoid it," said Joe Cobb, director of training and quality control at Predictive Service. "It's important employees and contractors know the red flags and danger zones that can lead to injury and how to protect themselves. Safety should always come first."
Predictive Service technicians and sales representatives are thoroughly trained in NFPA 70 codes and standards to ensure full compliance. Predictive Service stays current on the latest NFPA developments as an NFPA member and can assist customers understand its codes.
Click here for a copy of the chart Predictive Service technicians use as a reference. Or, contact your Predictive Service sales representative with any questions or to find out more.
New Offices in Canada and Mexico Expand Global Reach
Predictive Service recently opened offices in Southern Ontario and Mexico. The new offices enhance Predictive Service's international presence and ability to provide dedicated global support and services to organizations located in those countries or companies with multi-national operations. Predictive Service currently offers service in more than 50 countries around the world.
"Canada has significant manufacturing facilities to bring many types of products to market. These facilities and processes require predictive maintenance technologies to help keep people safe, increase yields, and reduce production and operating costs," said Allen Hines, president, Predictive Service Ltd. - Canada. "With our new office now open, Predictive Service is better positioned to help Canadian manufacturing sectors across the country reduce their operating costs while becoming safer work places and environmentally responsible members of their communities."
To reach the new Canadian office, call 905-574-7368 or toll free at 1-866-772-6770, ext. 141.
Latest ViewPoint Software Release Extends predictive maintenance Benefits
Building on the award-winning ViewPoint web-based management and reporting software solution, Predictive Service announces the upcoming launch of ViewPoint 3.0. ViewPoint 3.0 will offer new functionality that improves ease of use and provides more power in accessing and managing critical data.
This future release will support multiple languages and currencies. For organizations with international facilities and employees, users will be able to instantly choose a user interface in Spanish, French or English. ViewPoint 3.0 will also support 50 currencies for cost benefit and ROI analysis. Users have been able to customize their ROI data to their specific operation parameters and facility locations, and will be able to view those cost benefit results in nearly any currency.
"By introducing ViewPoint in local languages and with multiple currency support, we are making it easier for our international users to get the most from its powerful capabilities," said Shawn Goertzen, Predictive Service director of IT.
ViewPoint 3.0 also includes a number of additional new features. Similar to the "preview pane" feature in Microsoft Outlook, users can click on an item in the table list to see a summary of its information. The preview feature saves time by allowing users to quickly view items and then choose which ones to view in greater detail.
Historical data will be easier to view. Each screen includes an historical check box so users can view all problems/results ever identified for a specific area on one screen. The default is to display the latest problems/results. By checking the historical box, users have an easier way to view historical data.
"These are just a few of the many new features in ViewPoint. We continue to enhance the software based on user feedback and look forward to incorporating your ongoing suggestions in future releases," said Don Frankel, president and CEO of Predictive Service. Look for the ViewPoint 3.0 release in early 2009.
Predictive Service Named One of Northeast Ohio's Fastest Growing Companies
Predictive Service has been recognized as one of Northeast Ohio's fastest growing companies, earning a spot on the Weatherhead 100 award for 2008. Predictive Service reported sales growth of 623 percent from 2003 through 2007, placing it 15th out of 100 companies receiving the honor.
"We're honored to be named to this prestigious list. It indicates we are providing services and management tools that people in our industry want. The larger we grow, the better our capabilities become, especially in our ability to service clients across the country and around the world," said Predictive Service President and CEO Don Frankel.
The Weatherhead 100 is presented by the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in partnership with the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE). Predictive Service was also recently named to the Inc. 5000 for the second year in a row.
