Arc Flash PPE Requirements from 2012 NFPA 70E

Hazard Risk Category 0 (Protective Clothing, Non-melting or Untreated Natural Fiber (i.e. untreated cotton, wool, rayon, or silk, or blends of these materials) With a fabric weight of at least 4.5 oz/yd²)

Protective Clothing

• Shirt (long sleeve)
• Pants (long)

Protective Equipment

• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Heavy duty leather gloves (AN) (See Note 1.)

Hazard Risk Category 1 (Arc-rated clothing, minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm² (See Note 3.))

 Protective Clothing

• Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and pants or arc-rated coverall
• Arc-rated face shield (See Note 2.) or arc flash suit hood
• Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)

Protective Equipment

• Hard Hat
• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Heavy duty leather gloves (See Note 1.)
• Leather work shoes (AN)

Hazard Risk Category 2 (Arc-rated clothing, minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm² (See Note 3.))

Protective Clothing

• Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and pants or arc-rated coverall
• Arc-rated flash suit hood or arc-rated face shield (See Note 2.) and  arc-rated balaclava
• Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)

Protective Equipment

• Hard Hat
• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Heavy duty leather gloves (See Note 1.)
• Leather work shoes

Hazard Risk Category 3 (Arc-rated clothing selected so that the system arc rating meets the required minimum arc rating of 25 cal/cm² (See Note 3.))

Protective Clothing

• Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt (AR)
• Arc-rated pants (AR)
• Arc-rated coverall (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash jacket (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash pants (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash suit hood
• Arc-rated gloves (See Note 1.)
• Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)

Protective Equipment

• Hard Hat
• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Leather work shoes

Hazard Risk Category 4 (Arc-rated clothing selected so that the system arc rating meets the required minimum arc rating of 40 cal/cm² (See Note 3.))

Protective Clothing

• Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt (AR)
• Arc-rated pants (AR)
• Arc-rated coverall (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash suit pants (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash suit jacket (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash suit hood
• Arc-rated gloves (See Note 1.)
• Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)

Protective Equipment

• Hard Hat
• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Leather work shoes

SR = Selection required
AR = As required
AN = As needed (optional)

Note 1. If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are required by Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) or 130.7(C)(15)(b), additional leather or arc-flash gloves are not required. The combination of rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement.

Note 2. Face shields are to have wrap-around guarding to protect not only the face but also the forehead, ears, and neck or, alternatively, an arc–rated arc flash suit hood is required to be worn.

Note 3. Arc rating is defined in Article 100 and can be either ATPV or EBT.

NFPA 70E

What is it?

NFPA 70E is one of many standard documents that make up the National Electrical Code (NEC). The National Electrical Code is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Officially titled the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, NFPA 70E was designed to establish an electrical safety program in the workplace and address arc flash and electric shock. NFPA has developed numerous documented codes and standards to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life.

Click here for the UGLY Guide to Electrical Safety and NFPA 70E

Click Here for NFPA's Reference Handbooks

Why should I Comply?

The biggest reason to create a workplace safety program based on the NFPA 70E 2009 standard is safety. Every year, more than 2,000 workers are treated in burn centers with severe arc flash injuries. The flash is immediate and violent, but the results can cause severe injuries that last months, years—even a lifetime. In some cases, they may cause death. Fortunately, arc flash hazards can be reduced by following the safety precautions outlined by NFPA 70E 2009 and using the outlined personal protective equipment (PPE).

Who is at Risk?

There are few industries that are not affected by NFPA 70E 2009. Almost every facility that has electrical equipment and needs to abide by the standard’s guidelines.

Some of these industries include: Automotive Chemical, Printers Hospitals, Food Processing Metal
Power Paper, And Many Many More...

Some of the employees at risk from arc flash hazards include mechanics, electricians and HVAC personnel. Basically, anyone working on any electrical device in which the energy is high enough to sustain an arc. NFPA 70E 2009 recognizes these potential hazards in energized equipment over 50 volts.

Potential places where this can happen include: Panel boards and switchboards Motor control centers, Metal clad switch gear Transformers, Motor starters and drive cabinets Fused disconnects, Any place that can have equipment failure

Mandatory Compliance

Also, NFPA 70E 2009 cannot be ignored. Federal OSHA requires the establishment of a program that protects against shock and arc flash (OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S-Electrical). When an arc flash is present, OSHA will consider the employer to be in compliance if the PPE is selected using NFPA 70E.