RIS-3279-TOM (formerly GO-RT 3279) is a high visibility standard that only applies to the rail industry in the UK, as opposed to the EU-Wide nature of other EN standards. The standard also states that non-dissipative materials (labels, reflective stripes etc.) must not exceed 50mm in length. In other words – the outer fabric of the garments worn must be made from antistatic materials and cover all noncomplying materials. It states that workers must be provided with appropriate clothing consisting of materials which do not give rise to electrical discharges that can ignite explosive atmospheres. It’s crucial to note that under the new ELIM testing, a product’s ELIM rating could be different from its ATPV rating, despite it being the same garment.īS EN 1149-5 is the European Standard for garments that protect against electrostatic discharge in areas where there is a risk of explosion, and is most applicable to petrochemical and fuel distribution businesses. However, the new ELIM ratings are measured to ensure a 0% probability. ATPV values are calculated from a prediction of the incident energy level of an Arc Flash, at which there’s a 50% probability that the heat transfer will cause the PPE material to break open and expose the operative. These tests will measure the ATPV or the new ELIM ratings of a garment. To determine whether garments meet the requirements for this standard, all prospective PPE must pass one of two test methods: Open Arc or Box Arc. The thermal energy generated by an Arc Flash can reach temperatures of up to 19,000☌ – up to four times hotter than the surface of the sun – and is the key element that distinguishes a ‘normal’ electrical blast from an Arc flash blast. This is the overall standard covering protective clothing that protects against the thermal arc hazards of an electric arc, and covers many aspects of garment design and testing. With so many different industries at risk of Arc Flash – a relatively misunderstood, but extremely common type of electrical explosion facing sectors from industrial electrical, to utilities, civil engineering and rail – Mark Lant, technical expert at ProGARM, explains the relevant legislation and guidelines to ensure managers and workers alike are up to date on the latest standard updates, and to ensure protection against the potentially fatal consequences of an Arc Flash. Yet a study by ProGARM, Arc Flash protective clothing specialists, uncovered that 78% of industry workers were unfamiliar with the relevant legislation for Arc Flash protection. Related shock-hazard approach boundaries include the limited and restricted approach boundaries, which refer to closer, more-hazardous distances from electrical equipment that require greater safety precautions in order to operate within.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is widely acknowledged to be the last line of defence for workers, meaning that understanding the different standards governing PPE is of vital importance. Other standards require all equipment that necessitates an arc-flash boundary to be clearly labeled with information stating what that boundary is, thus enabling a quick understanding of the safe working distance by anyone near the equipment. Both solutions also provide specific obligations for the PPE that must be used by individuals working closer to the equipment than the arc-flash boundary. In lieu of calculating the point at which incident energy will equal 1.2 cal/cm 2, the standard also provides a table-based solution for determining an arc-flash boundary based on the properties of the electrical equipment under consideration. The NFPA prescribes specific calculations for determining the arc-flash boundary under Annex D of this standard. It is an OSHA-recognized consensus standard therefore, the arc-flash boundary has legal weight as a boundary that must be observed in workplaces in order for employers to meet their general duty obligations for workplace safety. The arc-flash boundary concept is defined by the National Fire Protection Association’s 70E standard.
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