Arc flash injures three workers at Google data centre

What happened

An arc flash occurred at the Google data centre in Council Bluffs, Iowa when three workers were accessing an electrical cabinet. The workers sustained injuries and were taken to a local hospital, where they were reported in stable condition. Google stated that it was aware of the electrical incident and was working with partners and local authorities to investigate. An arc flash is an electrical explosion capable of generating extreme heat that can damage equipment and endanger personnel. The data centre is one of the largest campuses operated by the company. No further details on equipment damage or operational impact were reported in the source.

Lessons learned

1. Maintain strict protocols for working on or near energised electrical equipment in data centres.
2. Ensure regular training and adherence to arc flash safety standards such as NFPA 70E.
3. Investigate all electrical incidents promptly to identify and mitigate recurring hazards.

Standards referenced

NFPA 70

Source

datacenterfrontier.com