NFPA 70E (2018): Paraphrase Of PPE Standards

Selection of arc flash PPE is based on either:

• The incident energy analysis method in accordance with NFPA 70E 130.5(G).
• The arc flash PPE category method in accordance with NFPA 70E 130.7(C)(15).

Either, but not both, methods shall be permitted to be used on the same piece of equipment.

Workers exposed to electrical hazards risks must be provided with, and shall use, protective equipment that is designed and constructed for the specific part of the body to be protected and based on the work to be performed.

PPE must be:

Workers within the arc flash boundary must wear protective clothing and other PPE in accordance with NFPA 70E 130.5 Arc Flash Risk Assessment. All parts of the body inside the arc flash boundary are required to be protected. Workers within the restricted approach boundary must wear PPE in accordance with NFPA 70E 130.4 Shock Risk Assessment.

When arc-rated clothing is worn, it must cover all ignitible clothing and allow for movement and visibility.

Head
Workers must wear nonconductive head protection wherever there is a danger of:

Face, neck, and chin
Workers must wear nonconductive protective equipment for the face, neck, and chin whenever there is a danger of injury from exposure to electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion.

Hairnets
Hairnets and/or beard nets must be arc-rated.

Workers must wear eye protection whenever there is danger of injury from electric arcs, flashes, or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion.

Workers must wear hearing protection inside the arc flash boundary.

Workers must wear arc-rated clothing wherever there is possible exposure to an electric arc flash above the threshold incident energy level for a second degree burn [1.2 cal/cm2 (5 J/cm2)].

Workers must be provided with hand and arm protection in accordance with NFPA 70E 130.7(C)(7)(a), (b), and (c) below.

130.7(C)(7)(a). Shock Protection
Workers must wear rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors when there is a danger of hand injury from electric shock.

Workers must wear rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors and rubber insulating sleeves when there is a danger of hand and arm injury from electric shock due to contact with exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts.

Rubber insulating gloves shall be rated for the voltage for which the gloves will be exposed.

Rubber insulating gloves shall be permitted to be used without leather protectors, under the following conditions:

• No activity is performed that risks cutting or damaging the glove.
• Gloves are electrically retested before reuse.
• Glove selection is based on reducing the voltage rating by 50 percent for glove class 00 and by one whole class for classes 0 through 4.

130.7(C)(7)(b). Arc Flash Protection
Hand and arm protection must be worn where there is possible exposure to arc flash burns. The gloves described in NFPA 70E 130.7(C)(10)(d) are required. Arm protection must be based on NFPA 70E 130.7(C)(6).

130.7(C)(7)(c). Maintenance and Use
PPE must be maintained in a safe, reliable condition. Insulating equipment shall be inspected for damage before each day’s use and immediately following any incident. Insulating gloves must be inspected and given an air test. Electrical protective equipment must be tested periodically. Test voltages must be in accordance with applicable state, federal, or local codes and standards. The maximum intervals between tests must not exceed that specified in NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(7).

Table 130.7(C)(7) summarized:

*New insulating equipment is not permitted to be placed into service unless it has been electrically tested within the previous 12 months. Insulating equipment that has been issued for service is not new and is required to be retested in accordance with the intervals in this table.

Dielectric footwear must be use when insulated footwear is used as protection against step and touch potential. Insulated soles shall not be used as primary electrical protection.

Clothing and equipment that provide protection from shock and arc flash hazards must be used. If arc-rated clothing is required, it shall cover associated parts of the body and all flammable apparel while also allowing movement and visibility. Clothing and equipment required for the degree of exposure shall be permitted to be worn alone or integrated with flammable, nonmelting apparel. Garments that are not arc-rated shall not be permitted to be used to increase the arc-rating of a garment or of a clothing system.

130.7(C)(9)(a). Layering
Non-melting, flammable fiber garments are allowed as underlayers in conjunction with arc-rated garments in a layered system. If non-melting, flammable fiber garments are used as underlayers, the system arc-rating must be appropriately selected to prevent breakopen of the innermost arc-rated layer at the expected arc exposure incident energy level. Garments that are not arc-rated may not be used to increase the arc-rating of a garment or of a clothing system.

130.7(C)(9)(b). Outer Layers
Outer layers/ garments worn over arc-rated clothing, such as jackets or rainwear, must also be made from arc-rated material.

130.7(C)(9)(c). Underlayers
Meltable fibers such as acetate, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and spandex are not allowed in fabric underlayers.

130.7(C)(9)(d). Coverage
Clothing must cover potentially exposed areas as completely as possible. Shirt and coverall sleeves must be fastened at the wrists. Shirts shall be tucked into pants. Shirts, coveralls, and jackets must be closed at the neck.

130.7(C)(9)(e). Fit
Tight-fitting clothing must be avoided. Loose-fitting clothing provides additional thermal insulation because of air spaces. Arc-rated apparel shall fit properly such that it does not interfere with the work task.

130.7(C)(9)(f). Interference
Garments must be selected to create the least interference with the task but still provide the necessary protection. The work method, location, and task could influence the protective equipment selected.

130.7(C)(10)(a). Arc Flash Suits
Arc flash suit design must permit easy and rapid removal by the wearer. The entire arc flash suit, including the hood’s face shield, must have an arc-rating that is suitable for the arc flash exposure. When exterior air is supplied into the hood, the air hoses and pump housing must be either covered by arc-rated materials or constructed of non-melting and non-flammable materials.

130.7(C)(10)(b). Head Protection

• An arc-rated hood or an arc-rated balaclava with an arc-rated face shield must be used when the back of the head is within the arc flash boundary.
• An arc-rated hood must be used when the anticipated incident energy exposure exceeds 12 cal/cm2 (50.2 J/cm2).

130.7(C)(10)(c). Face Protection
Face shields must have an arc-rating that appropriately protects against the arc flash exposure. Face shields with a wrap-around guarding to protect the face, chin, forehead, ears, and neck area must be used. Face shields without an arc-rating may not be used. Eye protection (safety glasses or goggles) must always be worn, even under face shields or hoods.

130.7(C)(10)(d). Hand Protection

• Heavy-duty leather gloves or arc-rated gloves must be worn.
• Where insulating rubber gloves are used for shock protection, leather protectors must be worn over the rubber gloves.

130.7(C)(10)(e). Foot Protection
Heavy-duty leather footwear/dielectric footwear must be used in all exposures greater than 4 cal/cm2 (16.75 J/cm2).

Arc-rated clothing must meet the requirements described in NFPA 70E 130.7(C)(12) and NFPA 70E 130.7(C)(14). The worker must not use clothing consisting of fabrics, zipper tapes, and findings made from flammable synthetic materials that melt at temperatures below 600°F, such as acetate, acrylic, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and spandex, either alone or in blends.

The worker must not use clothing and other apparel (such as hard hat liners and hair nets) made from materials that do not meet the requirements of NFPA 70E 130.7(C)(11) regarding melting or made from materials that do not meet the flammability requirements.

130.7(C)(13)(a). Inspection
Arc-rated apparel must be inspected before each use. Work clothing or arc flash suits that are contaminated or damaged to the extent that their protective qualities are impaired must not be used. Protective items that become contaminated with grease, oil, or flammable liquids or combustible materials must not be used.

130.7(C)(13)(b). Manufacturer’s Instructions
The garment manufacturer’s instructions for care and maintenance of arc-rated apparel must be followed.

130.7(C)(13)(c). Storage
Arc-rated apparel must be stored in a manner that prevents physical damage; damage from moisture, dust, or other deteriorating agents; or contamination from flammable or combustible materials.

130.7(C)(13)(d). Cleaning, Repairing, and Affixing Items
When arc-rated clothing is cleaned, manufacturer’s instructions must be followed to avoid loss of protection. When arc-rated clothing is repaired, the same arc-rated materials used to manufacture the arc-rated clothing must be used.