Electrical PPE Requirements For Arc Flash Safety

Electrical PPE, or personal protective equipment, is a critical measure for arc flash safety. 

Arc flash PPE should include head-to-toe protection against this serious hazard in order to complete the job in the safest, most efficient, and professional manner possible. 

Appropriate arc flash PPE includes arc-resistant gear, voltage-rated gloves, and insulated tools to protect the entire body from the dangers of arc flash and shock hazards, including skin, vision, and hearing.

NFPA 70E/OSHA Regulations Regarding Electrical PPE

NFPA 70E 130.7

Employees exposed to electrical hazards when the risk associated with the hazard is not adequately reduced by the applicable electrical installation requirements shall be provided with, and shall use, protective equipment that is designed and constructed for the specific part of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.

NFPA 70E 105.3 

Employer Responsibility states that the employer shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Establish, document, and implement the safety-related work practices and procedures required by this standard.
2. Provide employees with training in the employer’s safety-related work practices and procedures.

OSHA 1910.132(d)(1):

• The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:
• Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;
• The Arc Flash Boundary- PPE is minimized the risk to employees from safety and health hazards in the work place related to the discharge of electrical energy when working within the arc flash boundaries.
• The protection shall be provided by the correct selection of PPE when the employees are within the Arc Flash Boundaries.
• All PPE must now be classified as Arc Rated (AR). Flame Resistant is no longer acceptable.
• Based on 2018 NFPA 70E table H.3(b) Guidance on selection of Arc-Rated Clothing and Other PPE requirements for Use When Incident Energy Exposure IS Determined.

Arc Flash Training From ESS

Arc flash training from ESS covers the following topics specific to electrical PPE:

• Who is responsible?
• Care and Maintenance
• Outer and Under Layer
• ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) and HRC Category Electrical PPE examples

Electrical protective equipment is the last line of defense against arc flash hazard injuries! Be confident that your employees are protected. Electrical Safety Specialists offer arc flash training including PPE across the United States. 

Our trainers are Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professionals (CESCP), certified to ensure they can provide the highest quality training possible. Our trainers are real-world electricians who will not only provide job-specific examples for your team but will present them in a manner that makes the content immediately applicable to daily routines.

For more information about nationwide arc flash training and electrical PPE, click here or call ESS at (816) 925-0443.