Electrical Safety in the Workplace® according to NFPA 70E
NFPA® (National Fire Protection Association) codes, standards, recommended practices, and guides (“NFPA Standards”) are developed through a consensus standards development process approved by the American National Standards Institute. This process brings together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on fire and other safety issues. While the NFPA administers the process and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in NFPA Standards.
NFPA 70E requirements for safe work practices to protect personnel by reducing exposure to major electrical hazards. Originally developed at OSHA’s request, NFPA 70E helps companies and employees avoid workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast, and assists in complying with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K.
Different PPE categories within ARC Flash accorting to NFPA 70A
Category 1: Minimum 4 cal/cm2
Category 2: 4 cal/cm2 – 8 cal/cm2
Category 3: 8 cal/cm2 – 25 cal/cm2
Category 4: Minimum 40 cal/cm2
Category 1
Arc-Rated Clothing, Minimum Arc Rating of 4 cal/cm2 (see Note 1)
- 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
- Protective Equipment
- Hard hat
- Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
- Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
- Heavy duty leather gloves (see Note 3)
- Leather footwear (AN)
Category 2
Arc-Rated Clothing, Minimum Arc Rating of 8 cal/cm2 (see Note 1)
- 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 3)
- Leather footwear
Category 3
Arc-Rated Clothing Selected so That the System Arc
Rating Meets the Required Minimum Arc Rating of
25 cal/cm2 (see Note 1)
- Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt (AR)
- Arc-rated pants (AR)
- Arc-rated coverall (AR)
- Arc-rated arc flash suit jacket (AR)
- Arc-rated arc flash suit 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 footwear
Category 4
Arc-Rated Clothing Selected so That the System Arc
Rating Meets the Required Minimum Arc Rating of
40 cal/cm2 (see Note 1)
- Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt (AR)
- Arc-rated pants (AR)
- Arc-rated coverall (AR)
- Arc-rated arc flash suit jacket (AR)
- Arc-rated arc flash suit 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 footwear
AN: as needed (optional). AR: as required. SR: selection required.
Notes:
(1) Arc rating is defined in Article 100 in NFPA 70E®Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace document (link below).
(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.
(3) If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are used, additional leather or arc-rated gloves are not required. The combination of rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement.