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ELECTRICAL PROTECTION + SAFETY
Safe Live Working:
Complete Protection
Against Arc Faults
Alexis Barwise, DEHN Africa
Electrical installations need to be constantly available, meaning that
they are frequently left connected during maintenance work.
A
t the same time, the service life of these installations is increas-
ingly extended. The result of these factors is a higher risk of
serious injuries, or even death, as a result of an arc fault acci-
dent during live working, highlighting the fact that it is more important
than ever before that workers be fully protected during this process.
Arc-fault-resistant protective clothing
Electrotechnical work is carried out all over the world on a daily basis.
The fact that arc faults can be caused by technical defects, malopera-
tions, contaminants or foreign objects is a serious risk that must be
faced. If arc faults occur, workers are exposed to temperatures of more
than 10 000°C and will suffer severe burns – unless protected by arc
fault tested personal protective equipment.
Arc faults endanger safety and health
According to national regulations (such as the Occupational Health
and Safety Act), depending on the expected risks, employers should
provide tested personal protective equipment to their employees and
should ensure that the personal protective equipment is used properly.
Arc faults cause skin burns and injuries
Without arc fault protection, standard protective gloves do not prevent
injury and burns. While wearing helmets without a face shield can
result in serious injuries. However, with arc fault protection such as
arc-fault-tested protective gloves, adequate protection is provided. A
safety helmet with face shield protects the face and head region of an
electrician from injuries and burns.
Where safety equipment, lightning protection, earthing and surge
protection are concerned − top-quality products are non-negotiable.
In addition to technical systems, DEHN’s (referred to in this article as
‘the company’) range of arc-fault-tested personal protective equip-
ment, called DEHNcare (brand name for all equipment described in
this article), can safeguard workers against the thermal effects of an
arc fault. According to national regulations, employers must include arc
fault protection in their risk assessment, and should this assessment
indicate that there is a risk of an arc fault, suitable personal protective
equipment must be provided to employees, ensuring that it is worn at
all times. In addition, personal protective equipment must be tested
and approved by an accredited certification body as well as meeting
international standards.
The personal protective equipment includes a safety helmet with a
visor made of nanoparticles, protective gloves and a suit or coat made
of neoprene and leather, which provides maximum protection and is
also comfortable to wear. The combination of neoprene and leather
makes the suit naturally fire retardant, implying that there is no chemi-
cal treating of the suit.
Local company, DEHN Africa, provides high-grade protective cloth-
ing that is tested by well renowned and accredited institutes in line with
international standards. The company’s personal protective equipment
is IEC compliant and also certified as follows:
•
Jacket, trousers and coat:
Institut für Ökologie, Technik und Innova-
tion GmbH, independent institute with extensive expertise in textiles.
Electricity+Control
June ‘17
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