Hazard Clothing Description Minimum Arc Thermal

1 FR long-sleeve shirt and FR pants or FR coverall plus arc-rated face shield or switching hood (1) 4 cal/cm2

2 FR long-sleeve shirt and FR pants or FR coverall plus arc-rated face shield or switching hood (1 or 2) 8 cal/cm2

2* FR long-sleeve shirt and FR pants or FR coverall plus switching hood (or faceshield with balaclava) (1 or 2) 8 cal/cm2

3 FR long-sleeve shirt and FR pants and FR coverall and FR jacket and FR pants or total FR clothing system with hood (2 or 3) 25 cal/cm2

4 FR long-sleeve shirt and FR pants and FR coverall and FR jacket and FR pants or total FR clothing system with hood (2 or 3) 40 cal/cm2

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.