Arc Flash Safety

There are 5 to 10 arc flash explosions every day in the U.S. and approximately 2,000 workers are injured or killed by arc flash explosions annually--yet I had a very difficult time finding information about arc flash hazards on the web.

An arc flash explosion happens when electric power short circuits. This can be caused by equipment malfunction or even by dirt or other foreign material getting into a switch or brbeaker. The result is a sudden explosive "flash" with temperatures exceeding 10,000 degrees. Providing workers with the proper protection, as well as properly labeling arc flash hazards are very important safety practices.

The Wire Markers web site lists a variety of good arc flash resources. They range from magazine articles to technical papers published by the government or professional associations. A few require payment of a fee to access, but most are free.

Modify Workplace Safety for An Older Labor Force

The American Society of Safety Engineers has just issued a report on the topic of workplace safety for older workers.

The baby boom generation is aging and approaching retirement age, and there is not a sufficient number of younger workers to fill the positions baby boomers will vacate. This means employers will be retaining older workers longer. Although older workers have high productivity and better safety records that younger workers, they do have different needs than the young. The report points out that changes such as the following will improve older worker health and safety:

• Improve illumination, add color contrast.
• Eliminate heavy lifts, elevated work from ladders and long reaches.
• Design work floors and platforms with smooth and solid decking while still allowing some cushioning.
• Reduce static standing time.
• Remove clutter from control panels and computer screens and use large video displays.
• Reduce noise levels.

These, and other suggestions on the ASSE list, not only improve safety for older workers, they improve health and safety for all workers. Use the link above to read the complete press release from the ASSE.

Free Quality Tools

A web site created by Penn State University Quality and Manufacturing Management graduate students offers free downloading of tools for performing quality and quality management related calculations. Each tool performs a specific function or calculation, so you only need to download the tools that do the calculations you need.

Free Quality Tools Downloads

Most of the tools require Microsoft Excel or Access, but some, such as the Six Sigma Calculator (shown to the right), are stand-alone applications that run on any Windows computer.

This site also has a page that provides independent research documents that provide references and instructions on a variety quality-related topics such as:

Benchmarking
Deming Prize
Basic 7 Tools
Five S's
Learning Curves
Management by Fact
American Customer Satisfaction Index
Total Quality Human Resource Management (TQHRM)
Green Design

And many other subjects... Over 70 documents are available and may be freely downloaded.