The Benefits of Arc Flash Study: How Arc Flash Studies Improve Workplace Safety and Reduce Insurance Costs

The Hidden Danger of Arc Flash

Arc flash incidents are one of the most dangerous — and most underestimated — electrical hazards in commercial and industrial facilities. These high-energy explosions can:

• Cause severe burns or fatalities to personnel

• Result in millions in equipment and structural damage

• Trigger long-term operational shutdowns and legal exposure

According to OSHA and NFPA 70E, employers have a duty to identify and mitigate arc flash risks — which starts with a formal arc flash risk assessment.

Photo by Troy Bridges on Unsplash

What Is an Arc Flash Study?

An arc flash study analyzes your electrical distribution system to:

• Identify potential incident energy levels

• Recommend proper personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Define safe work boundaries for energized tasks

• Label equipment per NFPA 70E standards

This isn’t just a box to check — it’s a foundational safety measure that can prevent injury, litigation, and compliance violations.

Financial and Insurance Benefits of an Arc Flash Study

Arc flash studies don’t just protect lives — they reduce insurance premiums and claims exposure.

Here’s how:

• Insurers look favorably on documented risk-reduction programs

• Properly labeled gear and trained staff minimize liability

• Avoided incidents mean lower workers’ comp and business interruption costs

In fact, organizations that implement arc flash programs often negotiate premium discounts or avoid costly surcharges from carriers. There are many benefits provided in an arc flash study.

Who Needs an Arc Flash Assessment?

If your facility has:

• Switchgear, transformers, or panelboards

• Onsite generation or large motor systems

• Complex industrial or high-rise electrical systems

then you need a current arc flash study to remain in compliance with OSHA and NFPA 70E standards.

Why Choose Assured NDT?

At Assured NDT, we go beyond basic engineering reports. We provide:

• Comprehensive one-line diagrams and system modeling

• Onsite hazard labeling and PPE recommendations

• Compliance-driven reports for insurance and regulatory use

• Guidance for future mitigation and upgrades
  

Don’t risk safety violations or leave your personnel unprotected. Let Assured NDT conduct your next arc flash assessment — and help build a safer, more insurable operation.

Visit www.assuredndt.com/contact or contact us at 561.660.2751 to request a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions: Arc Flash Study Benefits

1) What is an arc flash study and why do I need one?

An arc flash study models your electrical system to calculate incident energy and arc flash boundaries, then provides labels, PPE requirements, and safe work practices. It helps protect workers, reduce risk, and meet NFPA 70E/OSHA expectations.

2) How does an arc flash study improve safety?

It quantifies hazard levels at each piece of equipment, prescribes the correct PPE, and identifies coordination or settings issues so faults clear faster—lowering incident energy and exposure.

3) What are the business benefits beyond safety?

Better labeling and coordination reduce injuries, downtime, and damage, which can lower insurance risk, minimize OSHA exposure, and improve maintenance efficiency.

4) What deliverables should I expect from a quality study?

Short-circuit and protective device coordination analysis, IEEE 1584 incident energy calculations, updated one-lines, equipment-specific labels, and a clear report with corrective actions and training recommendations.

5) How often should an arc flash study be updated?

At least every 5 years, or sooner whenever you add/relocate equipment, change protective device settings, or alter available fault current (e.g., new utility service or major motor loads).

6) Does an arc flash study cause downtime?

Most data collection can be performed with minimal disruption; calculations and labeling happen offline. Any targeted testing or corrections can be scheduled during planned outages.

7) How does labeling help day-to-day?

NFPA 70E–compliant labels give technicians at-a-glance information—incident energy, boundary, PPE, and working distance—so they choose safe work methods without guesswork.

8) Why choose AssuredNDT for arc flash studies?

You get certified engineers, IEEE 1584 modeling, audit-ready documentation, practical PPE guidance, and actionable coordination changes—delivered with fast labeling and clear training support.