Arc Flash Protection

NFPA 70E Arc Flash Suits · Arc Flash Hazard Suits · Electrical Hazard Protective Clothing

NFPA 70E-rated arc flash protective clothing and electrical arc flash hazrd kits are a safety requirement for employees working on or near energized industrial equipment. We carry a wide selection of 70E Arc Flash HRC 1, HRC 2, HRC 3, and HRC 4 kits, arc flash coveralls, arc flash coats, arc flash jackets, arc flash electrical safety gloves, and accessories by NSA National Safety Apparel, Workrite, Steel Grip, OEL Worldwide and other leading electric protective apparel manufacturers.

Anchortex Corporation is a distributor of Hazard Risk Category 1, Hazard Risk Category 2, Hazard Risk Category 3, and Hazard Risk Category 4 arc flash protective gear for industrial and electrical safety and NFPA 70E compliance in the workplace, including gloves, hoods, coveralls, coats, and complete arc flash suits and arc flash kits. Many of our products can be customized by the manufacturer upon request to add NFPA 70E-safe logos and emblems.

The following are the NFPA 70E compliance requirements for arc flash protection:

Minimum Clothing Requirements for NFPA 70E Compliance

The following information is provided by VF Imagewear, manufacturers of Bulwark FR arc flash protective apparel, as a convenience and for informational purposes only, and does not constitute a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Anchortex Corporation recommends that you undergo a full NFPA 70E hazard / risk evaluation and training program for your workplace and takes no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information presented here.

NFPA 70E - STANDARD FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYEE WORKPLACES

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 70E, 2009 Edition, became effective September 5, 2008. This American National Standard addresses electrical safety requirements for activities such as operation, repair or demolition of exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts. This standard covers virtually all aspects of workplace electrical safety, recognizing hazards associated with the use of electrical energy, and taking precautions so that hazards do not cause injury or death.

The 2009 Edition eliminated Chapter 4 on Installation Safety Requirements because it was a duplicate of National Electrical Code installation requirements. Other changes addressed host employer/contract employer responsibilities. The host employer is responsible for advising the contractor of known hazards and other information about the work site. The contractor employer is responsible for instructing his/her employees in the hazards communicated by the host employer and for ensuring that the contract employees follow required rules and work practices.

The employer must implement and document an overall electrical safety program that directs activity appropriate for the voltage, energy level and circuit conditions. This includes hazard/risk evaluation and job briefing procedures and must be audited annually. Employees must be qualified to do the work and trained to understand the specific hazards and potential injury associated with electrical energy. Employees exposed to shock hazards must be retrained annually in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

WHAT EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW

NFPA is a national consensus standard that establishes best practices for protection from electric arcs.

Employers must conduct both shock and flash hazard analysis to establish a flash protection boundary.

If energized electrical conductor or circuit parts operating at 50 volts or more are not placed in an electrically safe work condition within the Limited Approach Boundary, written authorization by work permit is required. In addition to a description of the circuit and equipment, other requirements must be implemented including Lockout/Tagout devices, a shock hazard analysis and a flash hazard analysis. An exception for the work permit requirement was added for tasks involving visual inspection.

When work will be performed within the Flash Protection Boundary, the employer must document the incident energy exposure in calories per square centimeter. Arc rated clothing and PPE must be worn either based on the incident energy determined for the specific task or by using Table 130(C)(9) to determine the hazard/risk category. Job briefing procedures and must be audited annually.

Annex H provides a simplified approach to select appropriate arc rated clothing and PPE based on whether the task requires 'everyday work clothing' or 'electrical switching clothing'.

THREE STEPS TO COMPLIANCE WITH NFPA 70E

Implement and Document an Overall Electrical Safety Program

The employer must implement and document an overall electrical safety program that directs activity appropriate for the voltage, energy level and circuit conditions. This includes hazard/risk evaluation and job briefing procedures and must be audited annually. Employees must be qualified to do the work and trained to understand the specific hazards and potential injury associated with electrical energy. Employees exposed to shock hazards must be retrained annually in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Determine PPE Based Incident Energy Task, or from Table 130.7(C)(11)

SELECT PPE (PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT)

Employees must wear arc rated clothing wherever there is a possible exposure to an electric arc flash above the threshold incident-energy level for a second degree burn (1.2 cal/cm2). Conductive items such as jewelry, necklaces, etc. may not be worn where they present a contact hazard. Clothing made from synthetic materials that melt such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene and Spandex may not be used unless such blends meet the requirements of ASTM F 1506 and do not exhibit melting and sticking during arc testing.

Be aware that other PPE may be required for specific tasks including hearing protection, voltage-rated tools and gloves, etc.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ Who is covered?

Employees during activities such as operation, maintenance and demolition of exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts. Research shows that approximately 10% of the employees in any operation work as electricians, maintenance, or other categories of work covered by this standard.

+ Does OSHA enforce NFPA 70E?

OSHA believes that the NFPA 70E standard offers useful guidance for employers and employees attempting to control electrical hazards, but OSHA has not conducted a rulemaking and therefore does not enforce NFPA 70E. OSHA does use consensus standards such as NFPA 70E as evidence of hazard recognition in evaluating General Duty Clause violations.

+ Where can I get a copy?

NFPA 70E is available from NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9109; phone: 1-800-344-3555; or on-line at http://catalog.nfpa.org.

+ What is ATPV; EBT?

The standard requires that arc rated garments have a minimum Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) based on the hazard/risk analysis for the task being performed. The ATPV is expressed in calories per square centimeter and represents the protection from electric arcs provided by the garment. If the ATPV cannot be calculated because the fabric breaks open, the energy causing the break open is expressed as the Breakopen Threshold Energy (EBT).

+ Where do I find arc ratings?

Arc ratings are included on arc flash garment labels as well as on the specifications for each item.

+ I've done the necessary calculations and some tasks require a higher level of protection than is available from single layer garments. What do I purchase?

The total system arc rating of layered ensembles must be determined by a multilayer arc test on the combination of all layers assembled asthey would be worn, rather than adding the arc ratings of the individual layers. Arc ratings of individual layers cannot simply be added together. Any garment worn as the outer layer, including rainwear, must be FR. Electrical switching clothing (flash suits) is available for those needing HRC 3 (25 minimum ATPV) or HRC 4 (40 minimum ATPV). Many insulated outerwear garments also have ATPVs greater than 25. These can be used for specific applications where higher arc ratings are needed. Keep in mind that hearing, head, face and neck protection are also required for these higher exposure levels.

+ There are some really complex calculations in 70E. Do I have to become an electrical engineer to understand the standard?

Arc rated clothing and PPE must be worn either based on the calculated incident energy determined for the specific task or by using Table 130(C) (9) to determine the hazard/risk category (HRC). HRC is specified based on specific job tasks. These range from HRC 0 that allows non-melting flammable materials up to HRC 4 that requires an arc rated FR shirt and pants or FR coverall, and arc flash suit with a minimum system arc rating of 40.

Annex H provides a simplified approach to select appropriate arc rated clothing and PPE based on whether the task requires 'everyday work clothing' or 'electrical switching clothing'.

+ Can those covered by this standard just wear heavyweight non-melting flammable garments such as denim jeans?

Probably not. Non-melting flammable garments are only allowed for
HRC 0 exposures. Employees must wear FR clothing wherever there is a possible exposure to an electric arc flash above the threshold incident energy level for a second-degree burn (1.2 cal/cm2).

+ Can workers continue to wear flammable T-shirts under their arc rated garments?

Layering of non-melting flammable garments is permitted to be worn under FR garments for added protection. However, if Table 130.7(C)(9) is used to determine the HRC category, only FR layers within the layered system are used to determine system arc rating.