How can you assess electrical system risk in your plant?

As forementioned, mitigating is a reactive response on obvious fault finding to reduce severity impact of electrical hazards. Most electrical system nowadays have already fault monitoring device and fail safe protection. But why electrical fault remains? Most root cause starts in electrical design, quality workmanship, MOC, deterioration, maintenance, and as simple as working without a proper permit. Unlike process plants which has 1.5yrs to 3yrs of routine maitenance shutdown, electrical (utility) systems are taken less likely to be upgraded or maintained. Imagine a common manufacturing plant or infrastructure with lesser HSE compliance and rely only to fault finding after the fact. Exposure to electrical hazards is/will be higher.

Most HSE professionals nowadays are being referred to as the "Go To" responsible person/s to calculate the risk matrix. In a sesnse, HSE are only to advise, analyze,evaluate and review the performance of action plan as per electrical safety procedures. Direct supervisors and persons involved in performing the tasks are the one's who should undertake the measurement. Quantitative and qualitative measurement of risk value most often are undermined thereby resulting to low ranking. It is essential that when it comes to "silent killer" type of hazards like Electricity, performing the risk evaluation is performed by experienced, trained and qualified personnel.

Corrosion often triggers arc flash incidents. Installing Volatile Corrosion Inhibiting (VCI) Devices offers a straightforward remedy. Notably, offshore oil & gas NORSOK preservation standards mandate their placement within junction boxes and electrical enclosures. VCIs function uniquely by embedding corrosion-preventing agents into carriers like non-woven felt or foam. When installed, the corrosion inhibitors are attracted to the metal, transfered by air and form a thin molecular layer on the surface, safeguarding the metal from corrosion. VCIs work especially well when the surface is undisturbed. VCI placement and amount needs to be considered. VCIs are available in other forms too; VCI Papers, VCI Polys, and VCI Liquids (oil & water).

I'd just have to follow through with removing the hazard, electrical components specially with stored energy systems, isolation alone cannot ensure effective unless proven dead. Residual energy remains and if the PPE will be the last line of defense and is not suitable to the level of residual current may be present, accident will still be in higher occurrence. "Appropriate" does not really mean suited at all types of electrical hazards, so we have to really take a step back before recommending any works on electrical system. "Specific" controls prior, during and after an electrical task must be determined by direct and indirectly involved parties.