Cornerstone Hydro Electric Concepts
Arc Flash Training
January 26, 2018
January 26, 2018 Brockville, ON – Cornerstone Hydro Electric Concepts (CHEC) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its Arc Flash Training course for its Eastern Ontario LDCs. Rideau St. Lawrence Distribution, Renfrew Hydro and Ottawa River Power collaborated to deliver the essential training by sharing costs and resources.
“Arc flash is a hazard for all utilities,” said CHEC Health & Safety Specialist Taylor McHugh. “Providing our crews with the training to adequately assess the risks will help ensure they are appropriately protected and are aware of requirements and best practices.”
The Electrical Utility Safety Rules require that ‘arc flash, flame resistant clothing and approved protective equipment selected must provide an adequate level of protection to protect the worker.’ Learning about the process of arc flash risk assessment assists participants in the selection of adequate personal protection equipment (PPE).
“The training helps to initiate discussion and reflection on the practices being carried out in the participant’s LDC. This provides opportunity to assess arc flash hazards specific to their distribution system and ensure adequate PPE is being used,” said McHugh. “The degree of arc flash hazard varies so it’s important for the LDCs to carry out their own assessments and look at their own situation.”
The ½ day course was delivered by Andy Kerr of the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA) and was held over two days. The two day schedule allows the full line crews to attend, with half coming on each day to ensure continuity of service at their LDCs.
Highlights of the day included:
- The opportunity for workers to gain insight into other LDC’s practices
- Increased knowledge and awareness for line crews that help them make informed decisions and implement best practices.
- Insight into the process of determining adequate arc flash protection
“For successful implementation of health and safety objectives, it is important that workers are involved in decision making,” said John Sherin, President of CHEC. “This kind of training gives them the knowledge and awareness to make the appropriate decisions and ensure they and their crewmates stay safe.”
About CHEC
CHEC is a collaborative association for 17 small Local Distribution Companies in Ontario. By sharing experience, knowledge and resources CHEC helps its LDCs remain as active members of their communities and provide safe, efficient, and cost effective electricity distribution to their customers. The current members of CHEC are Centre Wellington Hydro, Collus PowerStream, Grimsby Power, InnPower, Lakefront Utilities, Lakeland Power, Midland PUC, Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro, Orangeville Hydro, Orillia Power, Ottawa River Power, Renfrew Hydro, Rideau St. Lawrence Distribution, Tillsonburg Hydro, Wasaga Distribution, Wellington North Power, and West Coast Huron Energy Inc.