IR sightglasses protect against arc-flash exposure

The intense energy and duration of an electric arc flash represents a very unique exposure. Everyday work clothes made from regular cotton or polyester cotton blended fabrics, regardless of weight, can be readily ignited at some exposure level. Once ignited, the clothing will continue to burn, adding to the extent of the injury sustained from the arc alone. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 70E) standard for electrical safety requirements for employee workplaces now requires employees to wear flame-resistant (FR) protective clothing wherever there is possible exposure to an electric arc flash. This clothing must meet the requirements of ASTM International, formally known as the American Society for Testingand Materials (ASTM) document reference F1506. It also requires employers to perform a flash hazard analysis to determine the flash protection boundary distance.