Electrical Safety Gear Explained

Electrical Safety Gear
Electricians are required to wear different types of electrical safety gear to protect their health and their life against dangerous electrical hazards, such as arc flash. It is the responsibility of the employer to properly analyze the workplace for potential hazards that require electrical safety gear. If electrical safety hazards are present, then employers are to ensure that the authorized employees are equipped with the appropriate electrical safety gear. Employers are required to select the gear and communicate clearly why the selected gear was chosen.

Also, electricians must be trained by their employers to:

• Properly use electrical safety gear, also known as personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Know when to use electrical safety gear
• Know what type of electrical safety gear is necessary for the assigned job
• Be aware that electrical safety gear has limitations on protecting electrical workers from serious injury
• Know how to wear and take off the electrical safety gear, and,
• Know how to properly maintain PPE.

Electrical Safety Gear – Head Protection
Hard hats are made to protect electrical workers from falling objects, flying objects, fixed objects and electrical conductors. Electrical workers who have long hair are required to cover it to prevent it from getting caught in mechanical parts such as chains and belts.

Electrical Safety Gear – Leg and Foot Protection
Safety shoes, leggings, and foot guards made from aluminized rayon, leather, and other materials) help reduce the risk of serious injuries caused from sharp objects, molten metals, electrical hazards, wet and slippery surfaces, hot surfaces and rolling or falling objects.

Electrical Safety Gear – Eye and Face Protection
Goggles and spectacles, special shields or helmets, face shields, and eye wear with side shields can protect employees from electrical hazards, flying fragments, hot sparks and large chips. Also, appropriate electrical safety gear can protect the eyes and face from optical radiation, particles, dirt, mists, molten metal splashes, sand, glare and dust.