We had a trainer in for electrical safety, and he made the contention that ear canal inserts must be arc rated when worn when the incident energy is greater than 1.2. I don't recall seeing this requirement anywhere in the code, and in fact have seen a few places where the writers seem to specifically choose not to write that.

What is the code requirement?
What are people requiring at their facilities?

No requirement for AR plugs and there is also no standard. Our training shows 4 plugs that have been tested but they are not rated. We did one "rating" on a plug many years ago but this was a probability of ignition (not a protection but catastrophic failure).

If worn under a balaclava, there is no need to fear. Just use the canal inserts. The best practice is silicone rubber since it is more flame resistant typically but I know of NO burns from earplugs melting or igniting in arc flash. I'm sure this COULD happen but the worker would also be VERY badly burned on the face in that case.

Hugh Hoagland

Utility, we are requiring ear canal inserts.

I think everyone can agree that it is necessary to wear ear canal inserts for arc flash protection, the question is whether or not the inserts need to be "arc rated".

Hugh answered question #1, my post was in reference t question number 2 "What are peple requiring at their facility?"

Duh, sorry I missed that.

There is a company that advertises their EAR Canal Insert "Aids in compliance with NFPA 70E." My assumption is it assist in reducing the noise level but does not provide any arc rating as Hugh H pointed out. As for what we do, we require inserts.