Rich Gojdics’ Post

Did you know that during an arc flash incident, the air temperature near the arc can soar to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit?  That's about four times hotter than the surface of the sun, which averages around 9,932 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme heat can vaporize metal conductors and cause severe burns in just fractions of a second, making arc flash one of the most hazardous risks in electrical safety. This astonishing fact underscores the importance of strict safety measures and protective gear in environments where arc flashes could occur. #ArcFlashSafety #ElectricalSafety #StaySafe https://lnkd.in/gVy-V7sM 

Understanding the difference between Arc Flash and Arc Blast is essential for ensuring electrical safety! Arc Flash produces extreme light and heat from electrical faults, while Arc Blast generates a hazardous shockwave from vaporized metal. Both present serious dangers, such as severe burns and pressure injuries. Implement strict safety practices to protect both workers and equipment. Stay informed and prioritize safety! 🔒💡 🌐 https://iriss.com/ 📞 941-907-9128 📧 info@iriss.com #IRISSSafetySolutions #ReliableAssets #AssetMonitoring #InspectionSolutions #CriticalAssetManagement #IndustrialSafety #ConditionMonitoring #AssetIntegrity #RiskMitigation #PredictiveMaintenance #SafetyFirst #AssetReliability #EquipmentInspection #MaintenanceManagement #IndustrySafetyStandards #safety #reliability

Safety Tip: Understanding Arc Flash and Its Dangers Arc flash is one of the most dangerous electrical hazards in industrial environments. Here’s what you need to know: What is Arc Flash? Arc flash is a rapid release of energy due to an electrical fault, resulting in a high-intensity explosion that can cause severe injury or even death. Key Dangers of Arc Flash: • Extreme Heat: Temperatures can reach up to 35,000°F, causing severe burns. • Intense Light: Can result in temporary or permanent blindness. • Pressure Wave: Can knock workers off their feet and cause serious injuries. • Flying Debris: Shrapnel from the explosion can cause additional injuries. Safety Tip: Regularly inspect electrical systems and use appropriate arc-reducing fuses. At Galco, we offer a comprehensive range of arc flash-reducing current-limiting fuses to keep your operations safe and compliant. Stay tuned for more tips and product highlights throughout National Safety Month! https://ow.ly/a10p50SjT9p #nationalsafetymonth #arcflash #arcflashprevention #industrialsafety #electricalsafety #galcosafety #mygalcosafetytip

OSHA has released updated guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers handling energized electrical equipment. This is the first update in nearly 20 years. Key highlights include: Addressing arc flash hazards Ensuring workers wear appropriate protective clothing Correcting misconceptions about low voltage safety risks Emphasizing compliance with deenergizing procedures #WorkplaceSafety #OSHAUpdate #PPE https://lnkd.in/gcEEYt8J

Arc Flash Hazards is a release of energy caused by an electric arc which resembles a bomb explosion is inevitable. However, with successful "Arc Flash Management" by Trident Techlabs, your industrial, commercial establishments can mitigate such potential risk of life and property. Arc Flash Management is a complete electrical analysis required by OSHA, NFPA 70E and NFPA 70. https://lnkd.in/euRVybmx #ArcFlashAwareness #StaySafeElectrical #PreventArcFlash #ElectricalSafetyFirst #ArcFlashProtection #HazardsInFocus #SafetyFirstElectrically #KnowTheRiskArcFlash #PowerSafetyAwareness #ProtectAgainstArcFlash

New OSHA Guidelines on Electrical Hazards in the Workplace ⚡️ The Partnership for Electrical Safety worked with OSHA to release updated guidelines to address arc flash hazards, equipping professionals with the knowledge and practices needed to reduce risks and save lives. These guidelines cover critical topics such as: ✅ Identifying electrical hazards ✅ Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) ✅ Implementing Electrical Safety and Health Program Whether you’re an employer, electrical worker, or safety professional, these updates are a must-read to ensure compliance and prioritize safety in the workplace. 🛠 Learn more and access the guidelines here: https://lnkd.in/giFZxguE Let’s work together to create safer workplaces and protect the people who power our industries. #ElectricalSafety #OSHA #WorkplaceSafety #ProfessionalDevelopmentw

🔴 Real Risks in Lightning Protection Standards: A Case from Lake Charles Here’s the harsh reality captured on video – a lightning strike hitting Calcasieu Refining’s tank farm in Lake Charles, sparking a fire that, in theory, should have been preventable. While these tanks are built for grounding, this footage demonstrates the power of lightning-induced electromagnetic fields, which can produce discharges intense enough to ignite flammable vapors, even on “safe” structures. In analyzing this event, one thing is clear: current standards like NFPA 780 and API 545 overlook key risks. Grounding measures are assumed sufficient, yet as this video underscores, nearby lightning can still initiate dangerous Corona discharges. Proactive solutions exist – affordable electrodes to curb sparking on susceptible spots around tanks, especially on vertical pipes, vents, and peripheral edges. 👀 Take a look at the video and see for yourself.

Arc protection is critical in any environment where there is a risk of electrical arc incidents. Tasks like equipment maintenance, switching operations, and electrical installations all expose workers to potential arc hazards. Wearing the right arc protection, such as garments certified under EN 61482 standards, can safeguard you from extreme temperatures and explosive forces. Want to know more about which tasks require arc protection? Download our detailed guide now! 👉https://lnkd.in/eapzw_QK

Angus Measurement Services, LP Special Service Group Lighting mitigation is a complex science. There is air to ground and then ground to air lighting. Different areas are more susceptible to lighting than others. If you have a tank in Florida, Louisiana or Oklahoma you have a higher chance of being affected by lighting than others. Being out in the Permian and Delaware we get our share of them too. This is more involved than simply installing some electrodes and "POOF" your tank is protected. Having the privilege (???) of sitting on the original API 545 committee I got to see the sausage being made. The issue is consensus between the tank owners and a company with a vested interest in specing in their products. Lightning protection is much more complex than attaching inexpensive electrodes on a structure. When discussing grounding, IS THE STRUCTURE ADEQUATLY and PROPERLY GROUNDED? I come from the era where a steel tank in contact with the ground was considered grounded. API Standard 650 has a requirement for grounding the tank. But nothing on making sure the tank IS grounded. Tank owners need to be sure leak prevention barriers and secondary containment do not insulate the tank from being grounded. Is the grounding system designed to properly ground the tank or is the erector just following the standard? Are operations keeping the tank full during weather events that could cause a fire if the tank is truck? Is the tank owner comfortable the seal system on floating roof's is adequate to seal the floating roof sufficiently to keep flammable and explosive vapors from being there in the first place? Angus Measurement Services, LP Special Service Group welcomes the opportunity to consult with tank owners and operators to look your facilities and give an unbiased review and recommendations of what you can do for lightning mitigation. We also offer tank inspections to API 653 and STI SP-001, floating roof seal inspections, cathodic protection evaluations, design and surveys. Angus Measurement Services, LP 3800 Northwest Loop 338 Odesa Texas 432-332-7200 OKC Oklahoma 405-600-7245

What I see here is ignition of combustible gas present at the internal floating roof circulation vents. Frangible joint failure results from deflagration of the vapor space above the floating roof. A floating roof / seals in proper operation would avoid combustible gas at these vents, so there was another problem which resulted in this vulnerability. Although an electromagnetic field will damage external electronics, there is no sparking within a grounded metallic structure.