📚 Guide by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety — The Arc Flash Awareness is an online workplace safety course delivered by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety, Calgary’s Energy Safety Canada Authorized Training Provider. Self-paced, mobile-friendly, same-day certificate upon exam completion. Available across Canada.
🔗 Related Safety Mom courses & guides: H2S Alive Calgary · Standard First Aid Calgary · Oil Sands Safety Certs · Instructor: Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC
COURSE OVERVIEW
This online Arc Flash Awareness course provides an overview of Arc Flash hazards, and how to safely manage them within work operations.
This awareness course, designed for people who work around potential arc flash hazards, follows the CSA Z462-18 National Canadian Standard for Electrical Safety.
COURSE TOPICS
About Arc Flash
- Introduction to Arc Flash
- Definitions and Descriptions
- Causes of Arc Flash
- Regulations
Hazards of Arc Flash
- Arc Flash Severity Factors
- Primary Hazards
- Secondary Hazards
Qualified Worker
- Definitions and Explanations
- Explaining Limits and Boundaries
- Reviewing Potential Reach
Identification & Control
- Risk Assessment
- Permits
- Labeling
Protective Equipment
- PPE Types and applications
- Requirements
Prevention
- Safe Work Methods
- Equipment Design
- Maintenance Programs
- Drawing Design & Maintenance
ONLINE COURSE DURATION
Approximately 30 minutes
PASS MARK
Testing conducted in this online Arc Flash Awareness course is designed to reinforce the information presented. A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Users are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available to download and print.
COURSE PREVIEW
Additional Safety Knowledge
Electrical Safety Under the Canadian Electrical Code
Canadian workplace electrical safety is governed by the Canadian Electrical Code (CE Code, CSA C22.1) and CSA Z462 (Workplace Electrical Safety). CSA Z462 defines the requirements for arc flash risk assessments, shock protection, lockout-tagout, and the qualified electrical worker program. Alberta OHS Part 17 requires all electrical work to comply with these standards.
Arc Flash Hazards
An arc flash is an explosive release of energy from a short circuit in energised equipment. Consequences include:
- Temperatures reaching 19,000°C at the arc source (hotter than the sun’s surface).
- Pressure waves that can throw workers 3–10 metres.
- Molten copper spray, UV radiation, and toxic vapour releases.
- Third-degree burns at distances up to several metres depending on incident energy.
Every energised electrical work task requires an arc flash risk assessment identifying incident energy (calories per square centimetre) and the required arc-rated PPE for the working distance.
Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) Procedures
Before performing work on any electrical equipment, workers must apply a written lockout procedure: notify affected personnel, shut down normally, isolate the energy source, apply individual locks and tags, verify zero energy state (test for voltage with a rated meter before touching), and only then begin work. Each worker applies their own personal lock — group lockout with a single lock is prohibited. Verification of de-energisation is not optional; assumption is the primary cause of electrical fatalities.
Arc Flash Awareness — Working Near Overhead Lines
Alberta OHS requires minimum approach distances from energised overhead lines. For lines up to 750 volts: 7 metres unless the utility has confirmed the line is de-energised and grounded. For higher voltages the distances increase (higher voltage = greater approach clearance). Cranes, boom trucks, aerial lifts, and even ladders must maintain these clearances. Contact with overhead lines is a leading cause of construction electrocutions in Alberta.
Content reviewed by Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC — lead safety instructor at Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary, an Energy Safety Canada Authorized Training Provider.
