Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as arc rated FR clothing, is a critically important part of every electrical safety program. It should be used as the last line of defense, meaning it helps protect when all other preventative measures have failed. In fact, the hierarchy of controls puts eliminating the hazard as the most effective way to protect workers. However, in many cases engineering can reduce but not eliminate the hazard. Energized work poses an arc flash risk, and there’s really no such thing as a “small” arc if you are the person standing in front of it. Virtually all arcs pose an ignition risk to flammable clothing.
