It is estimated that 5 to 10 arc flash explosions occur in electric equipment every day in the United States.

In the mining industry the largest single injury category of electrical injuries are caused by non-contact electrical arcs.

NIOSH studied reports of electric arcing incidents that occurred over a period of 11 years and personal interviews were conducted with 32 individuals. A theoretical Safe Job Performance Model guided the study.

As a result of the study, behavioral dimensions were identified and included the effect of worker experience, judgment and decision-making ability, behavioral and organizational controls, and safety culture.

This study fills a vacuum in electrical training with a focus on the organizational and behavioral aspects of arc flash incidents. The research is cross-cutting in its scope, in that the results apply not only to mining and construction, but many other industries employing electricians. Although the majority of mine electrical injuries are the results of burns from electrical arcs, few miners are aware that such a hazard exists. A safety training program, which includes a video and an instructor's discussion guide, was developed for electricians based on this study's findings.

Source: NIOSH