Arc Flash Training

Greetings all,

I am wondering if anyone on this site has been involved with Arc Flash - CSA Z462 training in the south western Ontario region. It's easy to look online and find different training, however I was hoping that possibly someone could suggest some possible courses that they've attended or had at their facility and would recommend to others.

Initially I'd be looking for a fairly in depth course for myself as well as some other higher level individuals and then later when introducing the program to the floor level and some maintenance employees a little more general course.

Any suggestions are welcomed!

Best regards,

ARC FLASH TRAINING Z462 and NFPA 70E

Dylan
I have been quite active in the development of trainng standards as well as trainng companies around the world. (US, Canada, EU and Asia). I would be more than happy to answere any specific questions about Arc Flas, Regulations, Safety or even setup a trainng program for you.

Please feel free to call me direct:
248-461-7070
kreside@national-safety.net

thanks..

Training Question - CSA Z462

Hello Dylan

Please contact me if you wish in regards to your question if you so wish?

I live in Ontario and can assist as required.

My e-mail is mike.doherty@eusa.on.ca or call at 1-800-263-5024 X 8479
E&USA - (Electrical & Utility Safety Association)

Thanks,

Mike Doherty

Hi Dylan,

We are just finishing an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis job for a customer in Tilbury, ON. We have been involved in Arc Flash studies and training for about 18 months. From your comments I believe that you are seeking training for yourself so that you can perform similar work. If you are interested you can contact me for additional information and direction.

-Gary

Dylan,

You are right, you will find a ton of training providers on line but many of them are a joke. With the differences in the CSA Z462 you should stick with an expert in the canadian standards, not necassarily a compnay that deals more with the 70E. I recommend you contact these guys, I know them well, they have been involved in the development of Z462 from the start. I have no connection with them, and no financial incentive for recommending them.

http://www.magnaelectric.com/content/view/29/43/

Zog, Knowing that many training programs one can find may be a "joke", how would you recommend I find qualified arc flash training programs in the US? What criteria should be used to select a provider?

How to select a quality training provider

Ask for a resume for the instructor, what are his qualifications? What boards and commitees has he sat on regarding the topic? What professional papers has he published?

Ask for references and actually call some of them, most training managers will be happy to give you feedback on a class and trainer.

What is the work history of the trainer? Is he just reading a canned course or is he really an expert in the feild with real life experience?

Look at the company, and the courses they offer. A red flag is a company that provides CPR, ladder safety, forklift, and oh yeah, we do arc flash training too. Look for a company that also provides arc flash surverys, engineering studies and other power system services. You want a real expert.

Your training should fit your specific needs, an Electrical Contractor has very different training needs than a large manufacturing plant. There is no such thing as a one size fits all training course. I used to customize every class I did based on the clients needs.

If the trainer does not ask you questions about your existing ESWP's, arc flash syudy, PPE program and request a pre training meeting, thats another red flag. Unless it is an open enrollment course, which is usually not as effective as one at your facility made just for you.

Remmember your training is a much larger investment than the course fee, you are setting a culture in motion that will determine how you do everything, from your PPE program, to your hazard analysis method, to your disipline program for non-compliance.

One more thing, if someone says they offer a 70E "Certification" course, run.

Zog has it right

I agree with every comment Zog provides.

My company ESPS Electrical Safety Program Solutions INC., provides training that is exactly what Zog describes.

I am the first past Vice Chair of the CSA Z462 Technical Committee, currently a voting member and an Executive Committee member and the Working Group 8 Annexes Leader. My company specializes in Electrical Safety Services: Electrical Safety Audits (only company in Canada that I am aware of that has a structured process in compliance with CAN/CSA ISO 19011, and CSA Z1000/ANSI Z10 requirements), Electrical Safety Proram development and support, and Workplace Electrical Safety Training. ESPS only focuses on Workplace Electrical Safety, we are not selling anything else, this is the business we do.

The training you receive should focus on how to apply CSA Z462's tools in the workplace, how can and should it actually be applied.

ESPS is also unbiased, we don't represent any manufacturers, no sponsorships, and we are not affiliated with any Provincial or Federal Government agency.

I am more than willing to stand behind the training we offer, it is backed up with real world knowledge from our audit and program development work.

ESPS will provide it's training anywhere in Canada.

Regards;
Terry Becker, P.Eng.
Owner
ESPS Electrical Safety Program Solutions INC.
www.esps.ca

Training providers for Arc Flash

Dylan:
There are many different training providers out there.
Magna, ESPS, Canada Training Group, Electrolab (video training are all good choices.
Having attended a few of the sessions I can say that my favorite is the 1 day course put on by CSA.
The instructor was Daniel Roberts. I think the information is still accurate:
Roberts, Daniel
National Safety Manager, Schneider Electric Canada Field Services. 905-678-5384, daniel.roberts@ca.schneider-electric.com;

You will need to decide what kind of training you need before calling anyone. The low end of the price range is a canned course - the other end of the spectrum is a full service provider like ESPS or Magna.

My 2c worth