Eye Protectors

DOE-HDBK-1092-2004

7.4.3

EYE PROTECTORS

Whenever eyes are in danger of being injured, workers shall wear safety goggles or other eye

protectors meeting ANSI standards. When the work being performed dictates, workers should

wear nonmetallic and nonconductive eye protection. Appropriate PPE is needed to protect

workers from arc flash hazards.

7.4.5

METAL FASTENERS

Workers shall not wear articles such as loose chains, keys, watches, or rings if such articles

increase the hazards associated with inadvertent contact with energized parts or can become

caught under or snagged while climbing off or on structures, equipment or vehicles.

7.4.6

WORK GLOVES

When insulated gloves suitable for high-voltage are not required, otherwise suitable work gloves

should be worn while handling materials and equipment to prevent the possibility of slivers, cuts,

and skin irritation.

7.4.7

WORK CLOTHES

Work clothes should be made of natural materials, such as cotton or wool, or fire resistant

materials and should have full length sleeves. Sleeves should be rolled down for greatest

protection.

7.4.8

FIRE-RESISTANT (FR) CLOTHING

FR materials, such as flame-retardant treated cotton, meta-aramid, para-aramid, and poly-

benzimidazole (PBI) fibers provide thermal protection. These materials can ignite but will not

continue to burn after the ignition source is removed. FR fabrics can reduce burn injuries during

an arc flash blends, para-aramid adds strength to a fabric to prevent the fabric from breaking

open due to the blast shock wave and high thermal energy of the arc

7.4.8.1 GENERAL

All fire resistant fabrics comply with 29 CFR 1910.269(1)(6)(iii). Untreated cotton and wool

comply if the fabric will not ignite and continue to burn under the conditions to which the

employee could be exposed. ASTM F1506-94 and 2 new ASTM provisional standards, outline

the testing procedures to determine how various fabrics react in the presence of an electric arc

on an instrumented manikin or panel. The new ASTM provisional standards provide testing

procedures that expose untreated and fire resistant fabrics to electric arcs. F1506-94 provides

testing procedures that expose these same fabrics to a vertical flame test. Also see NFPA 70E,

110.7(A) for details on flash hazard analysis.

7.4.8.2 ELECTRIC ARC HAZARDS

Electric shock is a widely recognized hazard and involves current flow through or on the body.

Burns from electric arcs are not as well recognized. There is no contact required and the burns

can be severe if the clothing ignites or melts. The hazards to which the employee is exposed

also include the clothing breaking open due to the arc pressure blast, the heat from the electric

arc and subsequent secondary fires or explosions.

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