What Does An Electrical Safety Audit Entail

Understanding Electrical Hazards in Industrial Settings

Electrical hazards pose a significant threat across various industries, with the potential to cause substantial property damage, operational shutdowns, worker injuries, and even fatalities. As a leading cause of fires in industrial facilities, mitigating these risks is of paramount importance.

What is an Electrical Safety Audit?

An electrical safety audit is a comprehensive evaluation of the electrical equipment, components, and connections within a facility. These audits are designed to protect against short circuits, arc flashes, electrocutions, and fires. The resulting reports enable risk managers, facilities managers, and other company leaders to establish robust electrical maintenance programs, ensuring compliance with standards like NFPA 70. Additionally, these audits provide enhanced training and promote an electrical safety culture within the organization.

Key Elements of an Electrical Safety Audit

During an electrical safety audit, risk engineers assess a variety of electrical hazards. The audit typically includes the following components:

• Infrared Thermographic Surveys: Utilizing non-destructive examination techniques to identify issues in electrical and mechanical systems that are not visible to the naked eye.
• Arc Flash Analysis: Calculating the incident energy potential of arc flashes to determine the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for employee safety and proper equipment labeling.
• Electrical Safety Training: Programs based on NFPA 70E and other standards aimed at enhancing worker awareness and preventing accidents.
• Short-Circuit Studies: Determining the thermal energy and magnetic forces released into an electrical system, which can cause insulation and conductor melting, as well as explosions and major equipment failures.
• Coordination Studies: Understanding how electricity flows within the system to plan for appropriate trip settings and isolate problems without losing power to the entire plant or critical equipment.

Conducting an Electrical Audit

Conducting an electrical audit involves both desktop surveys and on-site inspections. Risk engineers review documentation, such as one-line diagrams, to understand the electrical distribution system. On-site inspections include examining equipment for hazards using techniques like infrared thermography, which identifies overheating and potential fire risks without disrupting operations. These inspections result in comprehensive reports detailing hazard severity, impact, and recommendations for improvement. Risk managers use these reports to make necessary improvements, develop training programs, and make informed decisions regarding capital allocation.

Frequency of Electrical Safety Audits

To maintain the safety and compliance of electrical systems, it is recommended to conduct electrical audits annually. According to the 2023 update to NFPA 70B, inspections of all electrical equipment must occur at least every 12 months, with more frequent inspections required under certain conditions. This proactive maintenance approach underscores the importance of regularly identifying and mitigating electrical hazards.

Components of an Electrical Inspection

An electrical inspection, as part of the audit, involves a detailed examination of the electrical system. This can include:

• Short-Circuit Studies: Verifying the interrupting capacity of protective devices.
• Coordination Studies: Ensuring proper device settings and fault isolation.
• Arc Flash Assessments: Evaluating the risk of explosive energy releases.

These analyses are critical to preventing injuries, property damage, and operational downtime by ensuring that the electrical system is designed to manage hazards effectively.