Arc Flash Label Requirements

Flashes of air can make electrically conductive equipment short-circuit and arc. Because this phenomenon can cause serious injuries and death, safety organizations such as the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) promote placing warning labels on electrical equipment. Arc flash labels provide employees with the vital information they need to stay safe while working with or near high voltage equipment.

Visibility of Labels

• Employers are responsible for placing visible arc warning labels on equipment. These labels usually appear on the unit's outside panel or enclosure door, according to Brady Worldwide, an internationally certified safety label manufacturer. Displaying hazard information gives employers a safety advantage while also helping employers meet increasingly stringent municipal safety requirements.

Hazard Warning Labels

• A warning about the unit's potential dangers must be affixed to equipment such as switchboards, meter socket enclosures, and industrial control panels, despite the component's installation date. Employers maintain the option of featuring the words "Danger" or "Hazard" on arc flash warning labels.

Wearing Protective Gear

• Arc flash warning labels indicate the magnitude of risk presented by voltage-bearing devices. Requirements therefore include an emphasis on informing employees about which protective gear to wear when operating or standing near the electrically charged device. When necessary, the labels must also warn employees about maintaining a specific distance from the electrical component. Such warnings will help them avoid unexpected electrical shocks.

Industry-Specific Guidelines

• Because of the variation in arc flash hazards, employers must identify such hazards that exist in their facility and follow industry-specific safety guidelines. In addition, OSHA recommends employers adhere to National Fire Protection Association standard 70E, which is titled "Standard For Electrical Safety in The Workplace."