5.1.3 Personal Protective Equipment

Original Approval Date: May, 2015
Date of Most Recent Review: February, 2020
Review Timeline: Three Years

Technical Reviewer: Manager, Electrical Shop:
Bruce McCurry

Management Endorsement: Director, Maintenance & Energy Services:
Steve Nyman

1. Scope
The following procedure shall be followed when performing testing or troubleshooting on energized electrical equipment or anytime workers are or could be exposed to electrical hazards.

2. Procedure
The following personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be used when testing and troubleshooting electrical equipment.
As in any work operation, PPE is very important when working with electrical equipment.

2.1 Conductive Objects
Watches, rings, neck chains or any conductive items that could make accidental contact with energized parts shall not be worn.

2.2 Foot Protection
Properly fitted CSA Z195-certified green patch omega rated leather boots. Boots shall have a minimum height of 6”, be free from excessive wear and damage with no visible holes or missing treads on soles.

2.3 Hearing Protection
Hearing protection shall be in the form of ear canal inserts or arc rated earmuffs.                      

2.4 Hard hat
Hard hats shall CSA Z94.1-certified and be no older than 5 years old as indicated under the front beak of the hat. Hard hats will be electrically insulated for up to 20,000V and be rated Class E.

2.5 Eye Protection
Properly fitted, CSA Z94-certified safety glasses with non-conducting frames and non-detachable side shields. Prescription glasses shall meet the Z94 standard.

2.6 Work Gloves (General Purpose)
In all cases a general-purpose glove will be used to prevent injury due to heat, cold, sharp edges and abrasion.

2.7 Electrical Rubber Gloves/Mats
Any time testing and troubleshooting is performed on energized electrical equipment up to 750 volts, minimum Class 0 rubber gloves with leather protectors shall be worn and Class 0 rubber mats shall be used if required to provide barriers to live parts. In the case where system voltage exceeds 750 volts rubber gloves rated at voltage Class 2 shall be worn.
Only rubber gloves that have received initial acceptance tests in accordance with ASTM F2675 and ASTM D120 specifications shall be used. All rubber protective equipment will be tested on an on-going basis in accordance with the test frequencies prescribed by ASTMF496 (before first issue and every 6 months thereafte

2.8 Rubber gloves shall:

2.8.1 Be always maintained in a safe working order.
2.8.2 Never be worn inside out or without leather protectors.
2.8.3 Be exchanged any time they become damaged, or the employee to whom they are assigned has reason to doubt their condition.
2.8.4 Be air tested, and along with leather protectors, visually inspected, immediately prior to use.
2.8.5 Be stored in a proper manner when not in use. Proper storage includes leather protectors being removed from the rubber insulating gloves after each use, both sets of gloves being placed in a storage bag with the glove fingers oriented to the top of the bag.
2.8.6 Be re-tested by a recognized testing laboratory at least every 6 months.

3. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
When using extension cords or portable electrical equipment in wet or damp locations they shall be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) installed at the receptacle, on the circuit at the panel, or on the cord as per

4. Work Clothing
Workers shall wear clothing that is resistant to ignition and propagation of flame when working on or around energized equipment. Shirts shall have full-length sleeves, pants shall be full length and closures all fastened to adequately protect the arms, chest and legs from burns.
Arc rated, flame resistant and natural fibre clothing such as cotton, linen or wool are acceptable as work clothing. Additional PPE and arc rated clothing may be required based on the task and ratings of the electrical equipment. Workers shall consult the arc flash hazard analysis label to determine which PPE Category of clothing to employ. Flame Resistant (FR) clothing and Arc Rated clothing are not the same. Although all Arc Rated clothing has flame resistant properties, FR rated clothing has not been tested with electric arcs and is not considered to be a suitable substitute for Arc Rated clothing.

5. PPE Categories
Where the PPE Category is listed on the equipment arc flash hazard analysis label, the following chart shall be referenced to determine what PPE is required. In all cases it is acceptable to wear a higher level of PPE than that required by the chart or the arc flash hazard analysis.

6. Relevant Legislation
Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1990.

7. Related Policies, Procedures and Documents
CSA Z462-18

Revision History