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].