someone please explain 70E and PPE

Hello, and I am glad to be here!

would someone please tell me the truth? for catagory/level 1 or 0 , to remain compliant a person needs to ONLY wear 100% cotton(natural fiber) clothing?

OR does the worker need to wear, not only the natural fiber clothing but also a FR long sleeve shirt, gloves etc.

I am being told both.

that even though the worker is wearing natural fiber clothing, he/she must still wear FR shirt at the minimum.

and also that the worker is OK without anything but the cotton clothing.

anyone care to explain this to me?

FR Clothing and NFPA 70E

You have it partially correct. NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(10) for Protective Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment lists Category 0 as non melting untreated natural fiber. Category 1 requires an FR shirt but the pants can be either FR (minimum 4 Calories/cm2) or regular weight denim cotton blue jeans with a minimum weight of 12 oz/yd or FR coveralls. Hope it helps!

To add Category 0:

1. Shirt Long sleeve, No-melting nonflammable materials (See 2009 NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(11) ), note the fabric weight 4.5 oz/yd

2. Pants same criteria as above

3. Safety glasses or goggles

4. Hearing protection (a change form 2004)

5. Leather gloves note: confusion i have seen here is that the gloves are mistaken for SHOCK PROTECTION when they are not! it is for Arc Flash.

6. PPE for Shock Protection is not as clear at times? reference NFPA 70E Table 130.2(C) & 130.7 (6)(A) & Table 130.7(C) (9) lead you to conclude that voltage rated gloves are need as well, note work task depending troubleshooting control circuits.

Category 1:

1. AR Long-sleeve shirt minimum arc rating of 4

2. AR pants minimum arc rating of 4

3. AR Coverall in Lew of FR shirt and Pants minimum arc rating of 4

4. AR rated face shield or arc flash suit hood minimum arc rating of 4

5. AR rated jacket, parka, or rain-wear as needed

6. Hard Hat

7. Safety glasses or safety goggles

8. Leather gloves see note 2

9. Leather work shoes as needed

one note: it is just as easy if purchasing a hard hat and face shield to buy on that meets the Cat 2 requirements. be sure to obtain a copy of the 2009 NFPA 70E and reference the notes to table 130.7(C)(10)