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Arc rated PFD.

Discussion in 'Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)' started by stevenal, Mar 16, 2009.

  1. stevenal Well-Known Member

    I saw a picture in T&D World a while back. It was of a lineworker on a pole working with a hot stick, with floodwater below. He was wearing a PFD, and evidently in compliance with OSHA 1910.269(w)(5)(i). How does our guy simultaneously comply with the 1910.269(l)(6)(iii) prohibition against wearing fabric that will melt and contribute to injury in an arc? Is there an arc rated PFD? Or one that will not melt?
    stevenal, Mar 16, 2009
    #1

  2. acobb Well-Known Member

    Good Question.....Maybe the good thing in this case is the hotstick. If he was 6 to 8 feet from the arc source, I expect the IE was very possibly much less than 1 cal. But you are correct with the "meltable fabric" issue. I guess at some point the employer would need to make a decision regarding the greatest danger, burning or drowning?
    acobb, Mar 16, 2009
    #2

  3. Zog Well-Known Member

    There is arc rated rain gear but not any PFD's, but I have an idea who may develop one.
    Zog, Mar 16, 2009
    #3

  4. WDeanN Well-Known Member

    If you are working on a live pole above floodwaters, are you really concerned about whether or not your PFD is fire retardant?

    If something does go wrong, there is a big arc flash, and your PFD catches fire,
    Drop into the water!! (assuming you haven't already fallen...)
    WDeanN, Mar 18, 2009
    #4

  5. stevenal Well-Known Member

    Care to share?
    stevenal, Mar 30, 2009
    #5

  6. Zog Well-Known Member

    Check your PM box.

    An FR rated PFD could be developed from the rainwear materials but it cant get an arc rating becasue there is no testing standard in place to test it to (ASTM).

    http://www.nascoinc.com/arcwear/arclite.htm
    Zog, Mar 30, 2009
    #6

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