Products
Solutions
Resources
Learn about what electrical PPE is, its importance in electrical safety, its various types, and what to consider when selecting and using it for safe electrical work.
Published 23 Jun 2023 | By Kevin Gausch, Patricia Guevara
Electrical PPE stands for electrical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It refers to a range of specialized gear and equipment designed to protect individuals who work with or around electricity from electrical hazards. Using electrical PPE is a vital part of electrical safety protocols and should always be accompanied by proper work practices and adherence to relevant safety regulations and standards.
As per the Safety and Health Magazine, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) found that workers in the construction and extraction industries accounted for 40%, and those in installation, maintenance, and repair work accounted for 20% of electrical fatalities caused by electrical hazards and risks.
Electrical hazards can include electric shock, burns, arc flashes (sudden releases of intense energy during electrical faults or short circuits), and arc blasts, which can occur during tasks like electrical installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, or repair. In this regard, the proper and safe use of PPE serves as a barrier between the worker and the electrical energy, preventing or minimizing the impact of potential hazards.
Aside from playing a crucial role in ensuring worker safety, here are more reasons why PPE for electrical safety must be prioritized:
Various Types of Electrical PPE
It’s important to select the types of electrical PPEs to be used based on the specific electrical hazards and voltage levels present in the work environment. The following are some essential types of PPE for electrical work:
Also, there are other ways to complement an organization’s efforts to protect workers. One is by covering or guarding exposed live electrical parts using Insulating Protective Equipment (IPE) enables qualified workers not wearing insulating PPE to enter the Minimum Approach Distance. However, with the limited protective capacity of IPE, it’s still best practice to wear minimum electrical PPE requirements.
When selecting the right electrical PPE, it is important to consider several factors to ensure proper protection and safety for workers. Some key considerations include the following:
When using electrical PPE, it’s crucial to follow best practices to ensure maximum effectiveness, safety, and ability to reduce the risk of electrical injuries by considering these key practices:
Eliminate manual tasks and streamline your operations.
The following examples illustrate how various industries implement specific electrical PPE measures to protect workers from the hazards associated with their respective work environments.
Electricians working on electrical panels or circuits wear insulated gloves, safety glasses, arc flash suits, and face shields to protect against electric shock and arc flashes. Also, they can use voltage-rated tools like insulated screwdrivers and pliers to safely work on live electrical equipment.
Electricians working on electrical systems in oil refineries wear arc flash suits and face shields when working on high-voltage equipment or during electrical testing procedures. Also, insulated grounding cables and mats are used to establish a safe work zone and prevent electrical contact with the ground during maintenance or repairs.
Miners working on electrical systems in mines wear insulated footwear, such as rubber boots, and insulating mats are used to provide protection against electrical contact through the feet. Also, voltage detectors and lockout/tagout devices are utilized to ensure the proper de-energization of equipment during maintenance or repairs.
Maintenance technicians working on electrical machinery can use insulating blankets or barriers when working on electrical panels or control cabinets to prevent accidental contact with energized components. For their electrical PPE, arc flash suits and face shields are worn during tasks involving high-voltage equipment or troubleshooting electrical faults.
To create an electrically safe work area when working on automotive electrical systems, insulating mats or rubber mats can be used by mechanics. Furthermore, voltage testers and multimeters are employed to check for the presence of electrical voltage before starting any work.
During tasks like panel upgrades or working on high-voltage electrical distribution systems, electricians and construction workers wear PPEs such as arch flash suits and face shields when installing or repairing electrical systems in buildings or construction sites. Also, insulated ladders and scaffolding are used to prevent electrical contact for a safe working platform.
Workers involved in manufacturing processes that require using electrical equipment wear PPEs like safety glasses, insulated gloves, and flame-resistant clothing for safety. Also, insulating mats or rubber mats are used in areas where electrical equipment is present as protection against electrical shock. In some cases, Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) devices and procedures are followed to ensure the isolation and de-energization of equipment during maintenance or repairs.
Employers and organizations are responsible for providing and maintaining a safe work environment for workers, no matter how risky their jobs can be. Using quality and well-inspected PPEs is part of an organization’s holistic safety program; hence, it should neither be overlooked nor disregarded.
With that, using tools and platforms that promote operational improvement and streamline processes in inspecting electrical PPEs is a must. Luckily, SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) empowers organizations and safety professionals to effectively do the following and more:
Kevin Gausch
Kevin has a Lean and Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University and Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence through ASQ with a focus on the construction industry. Kevin has 13 years of Quality and Project Management experience in the utility contractor space, including; electric transmission, distribution and substation, gas distribution and pipeline, and telecommunications, both inside and outside plant. 16 years of construction experience overall.
What are the Goals of Ergonomics Training? Ergonomics is defined as the study of how humans at work ...
Benefits Big or small, businesses across industries are exposed to a myriad of risks. If unmitigated...
Why It’s Important to Maintain TCS Food Safety An estimated 1.3 billion tons of edible food is ...
We use cookies to provide necessary website functionality and improve your experience. To find out more, read our updated Privacy Policy.