What Needs to Appear on the Label?

The current NEC requirement states only that the label must warn qualified persons of the potential arc flash hazard.

A fine-print, information-only note in the NEC requirement refers the reader to ANSIZ535.4-1998, Product Safety Signs and Labels, for guidelines on the design of warning labels. Thus, it is recommended that the header, message and pictogram, if used, be formatted according to the ANSI standard.

The NEC does not specify whether to use a Danger or Warning header, leaving this up to the employer. Some companies use Warning, some Danger. Some use Danger when the voltage is over 600v or when the incident energy is over 40 cals/cm², and Warning when it is under that threshold. This should be decided by the employer and used consistently throughout the plant.

In addition to warning of an arc flash hazard, most arc flash labels at least instruct employees to wear the proper personal protection equipment. Many also take the opportunity to warn of electrical shock. The 2" x 4" Brady label shown below meets all NEC requirements and is available in 10-packs or economical 100-label rolls.

Some companies prefer to include additional information identifying 1) when the hazard is present and 2) the potential magnitude of risk to the employee. Although not required, they may also choose to include a symbol or pictogram. There are no standards for how an arc flash pictogram should appear. The examples below show the pictogram used by Brady on its arc flash labels.

3.5" x 5" arc flash labels with pictogram

Labels must be able to withstand their usage environment. This means that the print should not fade, and adhesive should be aggressive enough to avoid peeling. The arc flash labels above are printed on a durable polyester base that is over-laminated to protect the text and graphics. The back of the labels also employ an acrylic adhesive, which allows the labels to be securely and permanently affixed to a wide range of surfaces.

View Arc Flash labels available from Brady.