Deletion of HRC 0 - 2015 NFPA 70E

Category 0 has been deleted from the proposed 2015 Edition of NFPA 70E. Instead, a new table format with a column designated “Arc Flash PPE Required� for various tasks define when arc flash PPE is required using a simple YES or NO. A separate table provides the Hazard / Risk Category for specific tasks/equipment when PPE is required.

The following is an example from the proposed table:

[INDENT=1]Work on control circuits with exposed energized electrical conductors and circuit parts, 120 volts or below without any other exposed energized equipment over 120 volts.[/INDENT]

[INDENT=1]Arc Flash PPE Required? - NO[/INDENT]

Although this will make some tasks easier, there now seems to be no requirement at all for long sleeve shirts, long pants etc. as was previously required for category “0�

Do you think the Yes/No requirement for arc flash PPE is a good idea?

• Yes
• No
• Not Sure

I have never liked Category 0. To say that someone should put on all cotton, safety glasses, leather gloves and hearing protection to operate a 120 volt breaker in a lighting panel is absurb. This makes people cheat. How do you enforce this in an industrial plant? In an office building?

On the other hand, I personally believe that anyone who does any actual electrical work without 8 cal (or higher) clothing on, regardless of the incident energy, is either stupid or uninformed (under trained).

Is this going to cause confustion when by analysis you have a hazard category 0 with a shock hazard of 480 volts(or higher), people think the voltage rated gloves are part of arc flash PPE. So they will work at the higher voltages where there is an actual limitted approach boundry of more than "avoid contact" as is for 120 volts. Until the understanding that voltage rated gloves are first shock hazard PPE and may be required seperate from arc flash PPE people will be confused.