Employees shall wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and protective clothing (see Section 7.4.8) to protect them from hazards of high-voltage apparatus. Employees authorized or required to work on high-voltage systems shall be completely familiar with the PPE and protective clothing they need for adequate protection while working on such systems. (Refer to Appendix C for suggested types of PPE and protective clothing.) (See Figure 7-1 and Table 7-1.)

7.4.1 SHOES

Employees should wear shoes or boots that comply with the requirements of ANSI Z41. No metal parts shall be present in the sole or heel of the shoes where nonconductive shoes are required.

7.4.2 SAFETY HAT

Workers should wear approved hardhats when working aboveground on poles, structures, or buildings or in trees per ANSI Z89.1 and 29 CFR 1910.135.

Workers shall wear hardhats when working on the ground near poles, structures, buildings, or trees in which work is being done. Workers shall wear hardhats when visiting or observing in areas where overhead work is being done.

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

Figure 7-1. Appropriate personal protective equipment and protective clothing shall be worn by electrical workers to protect them from electrical hazards.

nonmetallic and nonconductive eye protection. (See ANSI Z87.1 and 29 CFR 1910.133 for more information.)

7.4.4 RESPIRATORS

Workers shall wear the appropriate respirator per 29 CFR 1910.134.

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.

Table 7-1. ANSUASPM standards on PPE and protective clothing.

7.4.8 FIRE RESISTANT CLOTHING

29 CFR 1910.269(1)(6)(iii)l states, in part, "...each employee who is exposed to flames or electric arcs does not wear clothing that, when exposed to flames or electric arcs, could increase the extent of injury that would be sustained by the employee."

"Note: Clothing made from the following types of fabrics, either alone or in blends, is prohibited by this paragraph, unless the employer can demonstrate that the fabric has been treated to withstand the conditions that may be encountered or that the clothing is worn in such a manner as to eliminate the hazard involved: acetate, nylon, polyester, rayon."