A guide to electrical PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to keep workers safe from hazards inherent in their roles. For electricians, PPE is essential to mitigate the dangers of working with electricity.

In this guide to electrical PPE, we’ll explain what it is and why it’s needed, before detailing different types of PPE used by electricians on the job.

What is electrical PPE & why is it needed?

PPE stands for personal protective equipment. This refers to the different types of safety gear and clothing designed to keep individuals safe from hazards in their working environment. These items include clothing, helmets, goggles, gloves, masks, and other accessories that help prevent injuries or illnesses from exposure to dangerous conditions or substances.

For electrical PPE, the main hazards that workers need protecting against include electrical shock, arc flash, electrical burns, and the potential for fires or explosions caused by electrical faults. Electrical PPE therefore predominantly includes apparel made from non-conductive materials like rubber, including gloves and boots, creating a barrier against the flow of electrical current.

While domestic electricians may face fewer hazards outside of the electricity itself, commercial electricians also often wear PPE that protects them in a construction environment. This includes hard hats, steel toe boots, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing.

Different types of electrical PPE

Let’s take a closer look at the different types of electrical PPE in more detail.

Head protection

Hard hats are an important piece of PPE for a variety of industries, helping to protect against falling objects and impact hazards. For electricians, helmets made from a non-conducting material also protect against electrical shock.

Hand protection

Insulated gloves made from non-conducting materials such as rubber, latex, neoprene or silicone are important to protect electricians when working on live circuits. As many of the tasks carried out by electricians require precision and fine motor skills, these gloves tend to be relatively thin and tight fitting with textured fingertips for grip and dexterity.

Arm protection

Longer insulating gloves, often known as lineman gloves due to their use when working on powerlines, are sometimes used to protect the arms from electrical contact. Electrical PPE for the arms also includes non-conducting sleeves made from leather or rubber, which are worn over the clothes to prevent electrical shock while allowing the individual to choose their preferred gloves.

Foot protection

Safety shoes with non-conducting soles help to keep feet safe from electrical shocks, which could occur in a number of scenarios, including when working in a wet environment or flooded building. Electricians may also choose overshoes that can be worn over regular footwear to provide extra protection. Safety shoes with a steel or composite toe can help to protect the feet from impact, but must be adequately safety rated and maintained as steel conducts electricity.

Body protection

Electricians should wear clothing made from non-conductive materials such as cotton. Cover-alls are a popular choice as they protect the skin from burns and electrical exposure, and can be worn over other clothing. Arc flash suits comprising flame-resistant jackets, trousers and hoods may also be used where there is a high risk of arc flash incidents, such as working on high-voltage equipment. In some instances, high-visibility clothing should be worn to keep workers safe on site.

Eye and face protection

Goggles and safety glasses with side shields help to prevent dust and debris from getting into the eyes. In some situations, electricians may wear full face shields to provide greater protection. Eye and face PPE designed for electrical work may also include a tint or UV filter to protect against arc flashes.

Hearing protection

As electricians may work with or in the vicinity of loud equipment such as drills and generators, hearing protection is important to guard against excessive levels of noise. This includes earplugs made from foam or silicone, as well as ear defenders with padded foam cups.

Choosing the correct PPE for the job

Choosing the correct PPE for the job is essential to ensure the safety and protection of workers in various environments. It involves selecting the appropriate gear based on the specific hazards present, such as electrical shocks, arc flashes, fire risk and loud noises. The selected PPE should not only provide adequate protection but also allow for the necessary dexterity, comfort and ease of movement to perform tasks effectively.

Most importantly, electrical PPE needs to conform to UK safety standards to ensure that it provides adequate protection and meets regulatory requirements. Some of the relevant standards include BS EN 60903 for insulated gloves; BS EN 61482-1-2 for arc flash protective clothing; BS EN 166 for eye and face protection; and BS EN 352 for hearing protection. Using equipment that isn’t adequately rated can sometimes be more dangerous than not wearing any at all, as it gives individuals a false sense of safety.

Properly choosing PPE for the task at hand helps to minimise the risk of injury, ensure a safer working environment, and minimise the possibility of legal liabilities as a result of non-compliance.