Did you know that electrical workers are now required to wear arc rated head and neck protection while on the job? The most recent update to OSHA 1910.269 mandates that when working on or around electrical hazards, 360-degree FR protection is required. This includes the head and neck. Whether workers are looking to comply with OSHA 1910.269 (Electrical Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Standard) or NFPA 70E (The Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace) choosing the best FR head protection for their application provides protection to one of their greatest assets.
Compliance can be achieved through a variety of different arc-rated head protection solutions. In general, there are three different hood systems to choose from: FR balaclava and arc rated face shield, FR balaclava and arc goggle, and a traditional “beekeeper” style arc flash hood. Each of the three arc flash hood options is available with a variety of choices in terms of protection level, material, style, and features. Before determining which head protection solution is the most suitable, a full hazard risk assessment needs to be completed to determine the potential risks associated with each task.