Personal Protective Equipment: An Electrician’s Last Line of Defense

Each year as a wave of new electrical apprentices enters the electrical industry, instructors and supervisors drive home the importance of wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job site. By making it a practice to wear the proper PPE from the start, apprentices can minimize their risk of injury and even fatality due to arc flash or exposure to energized equipment.

According to the Electric Safety Foundation International (ESFI), PPE can make the difference between an electrical accident that a worker walks away from and one that requires months of painful healing. Depending upon their work environment, electricians may wear everything from hard hats, gloves, and safety glasses to fall-protection equipment, flame-resistant clothing, and face shields.

If not maintained properly or worn correctly, however, PPE will not offer the necessary level of protection. When training new employees, supervisors can follow these tips from the ESFI to help their apprentices to select the right PPE. According to the ESFI, the PPE must be:

1. Appropriate for the hazard
2. Worn as the outmost layer
3. Worn correctly such as zipped or buttoned
4. Maintained properly and removed from service when necessary

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), stated that before employers can require their workers to wear PPE, they must do the following:

1. Perform hazard assessments.
2. Provide training on how to work on or near exposed energized parts.
3. Talk about PPE needs during required job briefings.
4. Inspect and test rubber goods such as insulated gloves and sleeves.

PPE, when used properly, can help electrical apprentices pursue a long and safe career in the electrical industry. Learn more by visiting OSHA’s eTool on PPE online. 

Fischbach is a freelance writer based in Overland Park, Kan. She can be reached at [email protected].