The best way to protect workers from the hazards of electrical work is to create an electrically safe work condition using Lockout/Tagout.  However, this is not always possible.  When it is not possible to work on de-energized circuits, NFPA 70E requires employees working within the Arc Flash Protective Boundary to select and wear appropriate Fire Rated Clothing and other PPE.

BUYER BEWARE

Not every vendor understands the requirements of NFPA 70E.  Some do not even care and sell anything people will buy. We have seen companies waste thousands of dollars on the wrong PPE.  These were costly and unnecessary mistakes. Read our tips to the right and/or our Costly Mistakes Page.

NFPA 70E lists six different Fire Rated clothing systems: Cat 0, Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat 2*, Cat 3, & Cat 4.

For years we have been recommending to our customers a two category system using Cat 2 and Cat 4.

For qualified employees who frequently work on energized components we recommend a Cat 2 duty uniform.  This consists of long pants and long sleeve shirts rated 8 cal/cm² or more.  With leather work shoes, arc rated or voltage rated gloves and an arc rated face shield will have this worker ready for any Cat 0, Cat 1, and Cat 2 jobs.

For work in Cat 2*, Cat 3, and Cat 4 enviroments, we recommend going to Cat 4 switching coat, pants, and hood.  The system must total at least 40 cal/cm².

Before you buy, please check some of the more common mistakes we see companies making when purchasing PPE.

SIZE Properly sized gloves are very important for user dexterity and comfort.  To obtain your glove size, use a soft measuring tape around the hand at the widest point.  Then measure the hand from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the hand.  The larger of these two measurements is the glove size.  Add a ¹/₂^" if you intend to use glove liners.

GLOVE RATINGS The following table shows the use ratings or Class for rubber gloves. You must use a glove that is rated for the highest voltage you are exposed to.  Using a higher rated glove will sometimes be a problem because of the loss of dexterity.

LEATHER PROTECTORS Should always be worn over rubber insulating gloves to provide mechanical protection needed against cuts, abrasions and punctures.  Never use work gloves as voltage rated glove protectors or leather protector gloves as work gloves.  Leather protector gloves are especially designed to fit properly over the voltage rated gloves without pinching or binding that could cause damage to the rated glove. Leather protector gloves must not be too long.  This is to protect the user against arc-over.  The minimum distance between the cuff on the leather protector and the cuff on the leather protector and the cuff of the voltage rated gloves are as follows:

• 1/2"
• 1"
• 2"
• 3"
• 4"

TESTING Voltage rated gloves must be tested every 12 months if they are not issued.  Once they are issued, they must be tested at least every 6 months.