| NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the | | | | allowed for lightweight, moisture- wicking |
| Workplace provides guidelines for best practices in | | | | under-garment fabrics that keep the wearer |
| procedures, programs and clothing for on-the-job | | | | warm, but not sweaty. Pair an FR Performance |
| electrical safety. Prior to selection of flame | | | | Wear long sleeve t-shirt with an insulated parka |
| resistant clothing for a specific task, a qualified | | | | for optimum warmth, comfort and protection. |
| hazard assessor must evaluate the level of | | | | Protective personal equipment for cold weather |
| protection needed. Any time there is risk of | | | | work also includes insulated bib overalls, coveralls |
| possible exposure to an electric arc flash, | | | | in durable, warm multi-layer fabrics like duck and |
| protection should be worn to ensure the safety | | | | NOMEX. |
| of all team members. | | | | The convenience and protection of arc flash kits |
| As the flame resistant clothing market has grown, | | | | has gained in popularity. Arc flash kits may include |
| manufacturers have expanded the breadth and | | | | flame resistant coveralls, a short coat and bib |
| depth of their product lines to include daily wear, | | | | overalls or a long coat and leggings for full body |
| cold weather work wear, arc flash kits and | | | | protection. The electrical safety PPE style is often |
| accessories. Daily wear is street wear: jeans, long | | | | available in the most common hazard risk |
| sleeve t-shirts, henleys and mock turtlenecks, | | | | categories or levels, 2 and 4, but can also be |
| button front work shirts, work pants and | | | | found in other levels. Bundled with head protection |
| coveralls. This electrical safety PPE comes in a | | | | and hand protection, and often with a handy bag |
| variety of fabrics, from 100% FR cotton, Indura | | | | for carrying, an arc flash kit provides a convenient |
| Ultra Soft, lightweight Protera by DuPont, and a | | | | way to purchase necessary protection. |
| variety of NOMEX blends. Be sure to research | | | | The correct hazard risk category for a specific |
| each daily wear garment and fabric with care. | | | | task must first be determined for successful |
| Ensure that is the appropriate hazard risk | | | | selection of electrical safety PPE. Once this |
| category; look for quality construction and | | | | determination is made by an assessor, a wide |
| durability; and now more so than ever, a buyer | | | | variety of flame resistant clothing is available. All |
| can consider comfort, both the hand of the | | | | clothing should be labeled with its ATPV rating, |
| material and the weight. | | | | which can then be translated into the appropriate |
| Flame resistant cold weather work wear provides | | | | hazard risk category, as determined by the NFPA |
| arc flash protection and warmth. New innovations | | | | 70E Standard. |
| in the flame resistant fabric marketplace have | | | | |