when you do data collection - do you wear appropriate PPE or do you use a good camera and stand outside the arc flash boundary?

***THE FOLLOWING IS NOT ADVICE. DO NOT DO AS I DO. I ONLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU FOLLOW NFPA 70E REQUIREMENTS*********

Anymore, I usually work with someone else that does the "heavy lifting" so to speak while I record the data on my draft one-line or data collection form. Or I have the client or a contractor do the data collection for me when I can. Most of the time the AFB is unknown because I am doing the initial study with no previous studies or labeling done.

I stay out of the restricted approach boundary all the time and the limited approach boundary as much as I can while my "partner" gets up close and personal. I do wear "daily wear" PPE of 8-12 calories depending on the shirt I'm wearing that day and try to stand back away from open equipment while my "partner" calls out the numbers and I record. If I have to get within the limited approach boundary I put on 12 calorie arc rated gloves (not voltage rated gloves, arc rated gloves) and my hard hat with face shield and sometimes the balaclava depending on the situation.

Depending on who I am working with I leave it up to them on what they choose to wear. I am not their boss. Some "helpers" wear a 40 calorie suit, some daily wear only and some somewhere in-between.