FactSheet

Electric Power Generation, Transmission 

and Distribution: Electrical Protective 

Equipment Requirements

This fact sheet discusses electrical protective equipment requirements for 

work covered by OSHA’s revised Electric Power Generation, Transmission and 

Distribution standards. Where these requirements apply, employers must provide 

the appropriate protective equipment at no cost to workers, train workers on its 

proper use, and ensure that their workers use it.

Key requirements include:

• The use of rubber insulating equipment 

requires the following (specific requirements 

found in §1910.137 and §1926.97).

{ Outer protector gloves must generally be 

worn over Class 00 to 4 insulating gloves. 

(Insulating gloves may be used without 

outer protector gloves, but only under 

limited use conditions). 

{ Electrical protective equipment must be 

periodically tested in accord with the test 

tables found in the standard(s). 

{ Insulating equipment must be inspected for 

damage before each day’s use. Equipment 

found defective must be taken out-ofservice until repaired and retested. 

{ The employer must certify that this 

equipment has been tested. The 

certification must identify the equipment 

which passed the test, and the date tested. 

The only two acceptable ways of meeting 

this certification requirement are marking 

the information directly on the equipment, 

or entering the information in logs.

{ The employer must provide paid time for 

workers to conduct required testing and 

inspection of equipment.

• The use of arc-rated protective clothing 

requires the following [specific requirements 

are in §1910.269(l) and §1926.960(g)]:

{ The employer must assess the workplace 

to identify which workers could be exposed 

to flames or electric arc hazards, and then 

make estimates (based on acceptable 

methods) of the incident heat energy to 

which the worker could be exposed.

{ When the estimated incident heat energy 

exceeds 2.0 cal/cm2 the employer must 

ensure that exposed workers wear 

appropriate arc-rated protective clothing 

and other protective equipment.

{ The arc-rated protective clothing and 

other protective equipment generally must 

cover the worker’s entire body, except for 

hands, feet, head and face, which may be 

protected by other PPE. 

• Appendix E in both §1910.269 and §1926 

Subpart V, provides guidance on estimating 

available heat energy, and contains additional 

information on the selection of appropriate 

protection.

For additional information, see www.osha.gov/

dsg/power_generation. 

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk 

of serious harm.

• Receive information and training (in a 

language and vocabulary the worker 
understands) about workplace hazards, 

methods to prevent them, and the OSHA 

standards that apply to their workplace.

• Review records of work-related injuries 

and illnesses.

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect 

their workplace if they believe there is a 

serious hazard or that their employer is not 

following OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all 

identities confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without 

retaliation, including reporting an injury or 

raising health and safety concerns with their 

employer or OSHA. If a worker has been 

retaliated against for using their rights, they 

must file a complaint with OSHA as soon as 

possible, but no later than 30 days.

For more information, see OSHA’s Workers page.

How to Contact OSHA

For questions or to get information or advice, 

to report an emergency, fatality, inpatient 

hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye, or to 

file a confidential complaint, contact your nearest 

OSHA office, visit www.osha.gov or call OSHA at 

1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

DOC FS-3875 11/2016