Electrical hazard violations, including arc flash accidents, were the tenth most common OSHA citation in 2015. Year after year, electrical hazards routinely appear on the inglorious list.

It doesn't have to be this way. Now is the time to reexamine your arc flash labeling system and needs. Simple, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)-compliant visual communication can assist in addressing arc flash hazards and improving safety throughout your facility. Even small changes, such as proper signage, can prevent burns, death, and property damage.

But what do you need to know about arc flash labels and printers? We'll look at what's required of an arc flash label and share a few options for how Duralabel can meet your labeling needs.

What you need to know

It's important to know what acceptable NFPA 70E-compliant arc flash labels should look like before designing, printing, and applying them to doors, gates, barriers, and fences.

NFPA 70E is the accepted industry standard for electrical safety in the workplace. The standard specifies hazard identification practices and warning systems, including labels for arc flash hazards.

As described in section 130.5(C), workplace electrical equipment that is likely to be examined, adjusted, or serviced while energized should be labeled with all three of the following:

• Nominal System Voltage, which offers a quick way to assess the potential shock hazard and general degree of danger represented by a system
• Arc Flash Boundary, which outlines the distance from the equipment at which an unprotected person would receive second-degree burns in the event of an arc flash
• Protective Equipment Information, which informs workers about the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to work on the labeled equipment safely

Other common label elements include "Warning" or "Danger" headers (for compliance with the ANSI Z535 label design standard), shock boundaries, and the date of arc flash risk assessment.

DuraLabel Arc Flash Printers

DuraLabel industrial label and sign printers by Duralabel produce long-lasting custom arc flash labels on demand-for a fraction of what you'd pay at a sign shop.

The company offers a wide range of high-quality arc flash label printers to suit your facility's unique needs and challenges. Which Duralabel printers are capable of producing high-quality arc flash labels? The selection includes:

• DuraLabel PRO 300: Quickly print labels .5" to 4" wide at a crisp 300 dpi. The DLP300 prints up to 3" per second.
• DuraLabel Toro: Print labels .5" to 4" wide with the standalone portable label system. Toro comes with a keyboard, touchscreen, and preinstalled software, including arc flash label software. With no network requirements and an optional battery that allows for up to three hours of unplugged, continuous printing, you can take Toro anywhere in your facility or offsite. You can create and print arc flash labels on the go. Toro supplies are compatible with DuraLabel Bronco, so you can use the same supply on both machines to create NFPA 70E-compliant labels.
• DuraLabel 9000: Print large arc flash labels (8.8" x 12.8") whenever signs need to be seen from a safe distance. Print 4" up to 9" labels with the DL90000, or use the DL9000 Print Station for network independence.

Duralabel also offers supplies and resources that make printing bold, durable, and professional labels easier than ever. Those include:

• DuraSuite Labeling Software: DuraSuite is included free with compatible DuraLabel printers and comes with tools to make arc flash label printing easy. Simply choose an arc flash template that matches the size of the label loaded in your DuraLabel printer, and enter key information into the provided template, which complies with the latest NFPA 70E standards. DuraSuite also saves time by letting users import existing data from a spreadsheet.
• Die-cut "Warning" and "Danger" Labels: DuraLabel die-cut labels come with pre-printed headers to save you time and money. The headers come in three languages-English, Spanish, and French-to assist multilingual employees. Die-cut labels are available in sizes from 4" x 6" up to 8.8" x 12.8".
• DuraLabel Sign Blanks: Post DuraLabel labels and signs anywhere they are needed, no matter the surface. Sign blanks let you post information on fences or other boundaries, keeping your workers informed at a safe distance. Choose from plastic, steel, corrugated, aluminum, reflective, and fiberglass backing.

These are just a few of the ways in which DuraLabel industrial label and sign printers by Duralabel can improve safety in your facility.

Arc Flash Labeling Compliance

Arc flash labeling is complicated, but we've made it easier with our free Arc Flash Labeling Do's and Don'ts PDF. This handy sheet helps label-makers avoid common mistakes and stay compliant. Download your free copy today.