PPE Requirements, 2012 NFPA 70E | Lewellyn Technology Page 3 of 8

Arc Flash PPE Requirements from 2012 NFPA 70E

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) information gathered from the 2012 NFPA 70E Standard for
Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

PPE required for Hazard / Risk

CATEGORY 0
PPE required
for Hazard /
Risk
Category 0

Protective Clothing, Non-melting or Untreated Natural Fiber (i.e. untreated

cotton, wool, rayon, or silk, or blends of these materials) With a fabric weight of at least 4.5
oz/yd²

• Shirt (long sleeve)

• Pants (long)

Protective Equipment:
• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Heavy duty leather gloves (AN) (See Note 1.)

SR = Selection required
AN = As needed (optional)

Note 1. If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are required by Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) or
130.7(C)(15)(b), additional leather or arc flash gloves are not required. The combination of rubber
insulating gloves with leather protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement.

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An Check out our selection of PPE Posters and Wallet Cards

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Ap Request a Quote for Arc Flash Analysis

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PPE required for Hazard / Risk

CATEGORY 1
PPE required
for Hazard /
Risk
Category 1

Arc-rated clothing, minimum arc rating of 4 cal/cm² (See Note 3.)

• Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and pants or arc-rated coverall

• Arc-rated face shield (See Note 2.) or arc flash suit hood
• Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)

Protective Equipment:
• Hard Hat
• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Heavy duty leather gloves (See Note 1.)
• Leather work shoes (AN)

AN = As needed (optional)
SR = Selection required

Note 1. If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are required by Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) or
130.7(C)(15)(b), additional leather or arc flash gloves are not required. The combination of rubber
insulating gloves with leather protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement. Note 2.
Face shields are to have wrap-around guarding to protect not only the face but also the forehead,
ears, and neck or, alternatively, an arc–rated arc flash suit hood is required to be worn. Note 3. Arc
rating is defined in Article 100 and can be either ATPV or EBT.

Ar
Fla
An Check out our selection of PPE Posters and Wallet Cards

PP
Re
Ap Request a Quote for Arc Flash Analysis

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PPE required for Hazard / Risk

CATEGORY 2
PPE required
for Hazard /
Risk
Category 2

Arc-rated clothing, minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm² (See Note 3.)

• Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and pants or arc-rated coverall

• Arc-rated flash suit hood or arc-rated face shield (See Note 2.) and arc-rated balaclava
• Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)

Protective Equipment:
• Hard Hat
• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Heavy duty leather gloves (See Note 1.)
• Leather work shoes

AN = As needed (optional)
SR = Selection required

Note 1. If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are required by Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) or
130.7(C)(15)(b), additional leather or arc flash gloves are not required. The combination of rubber
insulating gloves with leather protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement. Note 2.
Face shields are to have wrap-around guarding to protect not only the face but also the forehead,
ears, and neck or, alternatively, an arc–rated arc flash suit hood is required to be worn. Note 3. Arc
rating is defined in Article 100 and can be either ATPV or EBT.

Ar
Fla
An Check out our selection of PPE Posters and Wallet Cards

PP
Re
Ap Request a Quote for Arc Flash Analysis

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PPE required for Hazard / Risk

CATEGORY 3
PPE required
for Hazard /
Risk
Category 3

Arc-rated clothing selected so that the system arc rating meets the required
minimum arc rating of 25 cal/cm² (See Note 3.)

• Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt (AR)

• Arc-rated pants (AR)
• Arc-rated coverall (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash jacket (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash pants (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash suit hood
• Arc-rated gloves (See Note 1.)
• Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)

Protective Equipment:
• Hard Hat
• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Leather work shoes

SR = Selection required
AR = As required
AN = As needed (optional)

Note 1. If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are required by Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) or
130.7(C)(15)(b), additional leather or arc-flash gloves are not required. The combination of rubber
insulating gloves with leather protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement. Note 3. Arc
rating is defined in Article 100 and can be either ATPV or EBT.

Ar
Fla
An Check out our selection of PPE Posters and Wallet Cards

PP
Re
Ap Request a Quote for Arc Flash Analysis

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PPE required for Hazard / Risk

CATEGORY 4
PPE required
for Hazard /
Risk
Category 4

Arc-rated clothing selected so that the system arc rating meets the required
minimum arc rating of 40 cal/cm² (See Note 3.)

• Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt (AR)

• Arc-rated pants (AR)
• Arc-rated coverall (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash suit pants (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash suit jacket (AR)
• Arc-rated arc flash suit hood
• Arc-rated gloves (See Note 1.)
• Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)

Protective Equipment:
• Hard Hat
• Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
• Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)
• Leather work shoes

SR = Selection required
AR = As required
AN = As needed (optional)

Note 1. If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are required by Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) or
130.7(C)(15)(b), additional leather or arc-flash gloves are not required. The combination of rubber
insulating gloves with leather protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement. Note 3. Arc
rating is defined in Article 100 and can be either ATPV or EBT.

Ar
Fla
An Check out our selection of PPE Posters and Wallet Cards

PP
Re
Ap Request a Quote for Arc Flash Analysis

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