What safety equipment is required when working with high voltage

When working with high voltage electricity, several pieces of safety equipment are required to protect against electric shock, burns, and other related injuries [1].

Key safety equipment includes:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This includes electrical protective equipment appropriate for the specific body parts needing protection and the work being performed [1]. This may include:

  • Insulated gloves and sleeves: Made of rubber and meeting standards such as ASTM D120 and ASTM D1051, for handling energized lines and equipment [2]. Leather protectors should be worn over rubber insulating gloves [2].
  • Insulating blankets and covers: To provide an insulating barrier [2].
  • Nonconductive head protection: Helmets to protect against head injury from electric shock or burns [1].
  • Eye and face protection: To protect against electric arcs, flashes, and flying objects from electrical explosions [1]. This may include safety glasses or a face shield [1].
  • Arc-rated clothing: When the estimated incident energy exposure is high, arc-rated clothing is necessary [3].

• Insulated Tools and Equipment: Use insulated tools and handling equipment to prevent contact with energized conductors or circuit parts [1]. Fuse handling equipment, insulated for the circuit voltage, is required for removing or installing fuses [1].

• Hot Line Tools: When handling energized power lines or equipment rated at greater than 15,000 volts to ground, hot line tools must be used in addition to other PPE [2].

In addition to the equipment, it is important to:

• Maintain a Safe Work Area: Use barriers or other means of guarding to ensure that workspace for electrical equipment is not used as a passageway when energized parts are exposed [4].
• Regularly Inspect Equipment: Protective equipment must be maintained in a safe, reliable condition and periodically inspected or tested [1]. Inspect insulating equipment for damage before each day's use [5].
• Deenergize circuits: Deenergize live parts before working on or near them, unless it is infeasible or creates additional hazards [6].
• Use lockout/tagout procedures: Apply locks and tags to disconnecting means to prevent accidental re-energization 2, 10.
• Maintain Minimum Clearance Distances: When working near overhead high voltage lines, maintain the required minimum clearance distances [7].
• Provide Training: Ensure that employees are trained in the safety-related work practices to prevent electrical shock or other injuries [6].

It is also important to perform a job hazard analysis to determine the specific safeguards and personal protective equipment needed for each job [8].