Page 64 - OHS, June 2023

PPE: ELECTRICAL SAFETY in numerous instances, if the worker had protected themselves against electrical shock and adhered to these electrical shock principles, they could have prevented the occurrence of arc flash. This question is one I particularly appreciate because many of us view PPE as a “bulletproof vest” worn when entering a “war zone,” but that’s an incorrect approach. The approach I suggest is to avoid the war zone altogether, right? The governing standards we follow explicitly state that PPE serves as your final line of defense, and safety professionals fully grasp this concept. However, I sense a disconnect between these professionals and users in the field. I’m referring to the workers who are hands-on with the equipment because we train a significant number of individuals, and I’m fortunate to have personal contact and candid discussions with many of them. They express their thoughts openly, often believing that having the right PPE guarantees safety. However, the correct approach is actually to first attempt to eliminate the hazard through engineering controls, reducing it to a safe level. Of course, if substitution is feasible, it should be considered before resorting to engineering controls. Additionally, we have administrative controls in place, such as training and auditing, ensuring the integrity of systems, all before relying on PPE as the final line of defense. Now, to address your question, the single piece of PPE that I would recommend to every individual, whether they are switching equipment or performing electrical diagnostics, is an electrical glove with a suitable over protector. I emphasize this point: nothing surpasses the effectiveness of this combination. In fact, when examining all the fatalities we have investigated in the past 10 to 15 years, I can confidently say that if there had been one piece of PPE capable of transforming those fatalities into survivable incidents, it would have been a properly tested, inspected, well- maintained, and correctly utilized electrical glove equipped with an over protector. OH&S magazine: Have there been any recent developments when it comes to gloves? Jooma: Over the years, these gloves have also undergone advancements. Previously, we utilized rubber gloves accompanied by leather over protectors, using them for both GET THE FULL INTERVIEW This interview is from episode 185 of the OH&S SafetyPod, which goes into much greater detail and touches on other topics, such as common human errors that lead to electrical shock and arc flash incidents, and the EHA Safety Cycle. Download or stream this episode using apps such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify, or simply select the SafetyPod option from the Resources menu on ohsonline.com. shock and arc flash protection. Believe it or not, the combination of rubber gloves with leather over protectors does provide a reasonable level of arc flash protection. However, over the years, there has been a growing demand for increased finger dexterity and protection against multiple hazards. For instance, there are situations where clean conditions make the use of leather inappropriate, but there may also be instances involving tasks like wire crimping or cable termination that expose workers to cut hazards. That’s where the ASTM F3258 standard comes into play. It is a relatively recent standard that allows testing of hand protection for multi-hazard exposures. Thanks to this standard, we can now assess gloves for their arc flash protection capabilities in addition to other features. It’s quite remarkable that nowadays you can find gloves that offer cut resistance, enhanced grip, and arc flash protection without relying on rubber for electrical shock protection. OH&S magazine: What about other gear? Are there important trends to stay on top of? Jooma: There are two significant observations in the industry that we must address. Firstly, companies have now shifted away from using poly-cotton daily work uniforms. These types of clothing not only burn when exposed to an arc flash, but they also melt and adhere to the body, leading to severe and potentially life-threatening burns. However, it’s important to note that most of the fatalities and disabling injuries we have witnessed were not solely caused by the arc flash itself, but rather by the ignition of non-rated clothing due to the arc flash. Based on this knowledge and the awareness we have been striving to raise over the past decade or more, it is crucial to transition your workers’ daily workwear uniforms to arc-rated clothing. This means ensuring that the shirts and pants provided to workers have some form of arc rating to mitigate the risks associated with arc flash incidents. Now, everyone has been fantastic. Over half of the major industry players have introduced dual arc-rated clothing, which not only shields against flash fires and gas fires but also provides protection in the event of an arc flash. However, where is the gap in this PPE? The issue lies in the misconception that wearing an arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and arc-rated pants is sufficient. Where do we commonly witness arc flash incidents? They tend to occur on individuals’ hands, neck, and face. The question is: why? It’s because people fail to complete the arc flash protective personal protective equipment as intended. It is imperative to cover your hands with either an arc-rated glove or an electrical glove accompanied by a heavy-duty leather over protector to ensure proper protection. Your face must be adequately protected with safety eyeglasses and hearing protection. Additionally, you need to wear a balaclava, which is similar to a pullover or ski mask, as an extra layer of coverage. Furthermore, it is essential to wear a hard hat with a face shield on top. However, if this combination feels too burdensome, there is an alternative. You can still wear the necessary safety glasses and hearing protection, but instead of the separate balaclava and face shield, you can opt for a one-piece flash suit hood that covers your entire head. This completes the required PPE ensemble. It is worth noting that PPE should always be regarded as your final line of defense. David Kopf is the Executive Editor of Occupational Health & Safety magazine. 62 Occupational Health & Safety | JUNE 2023 www.ohsonline.com