WORK by a North-East engineering consultancy on the dangers of electrical discharges has established it as the UK's leading risk reduction specialist.

More than half of all electrical accidents associated with low voltage switchgear assemblies involve arcing, which poses a greater threat to workers than electric shocks.

TAS Engineering Consultants, of Stockton, Teesside, began investigating ways of identifying, measuring and mitigating the hazards associated with the problem on behalf of the US-owned chemicals manufacturer, DuPont, on Teesside.

Using sophisticated software, its engineers helped DuPont carry out site investigations at its UK operations and helped to establish the industry best practice standard (IEEE Standard 1584) for reducing arc levels.

Since then, TAS has been in demand carrying out risk assessments across a range of industry sectors.

Recent contracts have included Huntsman, another Teesside-based chemicals manufacturer, and Cleveland Potash, at Boulby, North Yorkshire.

John Maplesden, managing director of TAS, said: "There is a growing awareness in the UK of the hazards presented by electric arcs. The intense heat and pressure inherent in arc faults pose a serious risk of serious injury or death."

When an arc flash occurs, it causes temperatures of up to 35,000 degrees centigrade - nearly four times hotter than the sun's surface. Vapourised metal droplets are expelled and poisonous gases are released.

The electrical energy can also be converted into intense thermal radiation and the explosive expansion of the surrounding air can generate damaging sound levels.

Mr Maplesden said: "Electrical arcs can be caused in several ways - by poor electrical contact, insulation failure, inadvertent contact with energised equipment or inadequate maintenance. Critically, most arc incidents occur while equipment is being operated, hence the serious risk to workers."