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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E are two organizations that provide guidelines and regulations for workplace safety, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as insulated gloves. These guidelines and regulations help ensure workers are protected from electrical hazards while on the job.
One of the key components of these guidelines and regulations is the requirement for regular testing of insulated gloves. This testing is crucial to ensure that the gloves are in good condition and are able to provide the necessary protection to workers.
According to OSHA, insulated gloves must be tested before initial use, after any repairs, and every 6 months after that. These tests must be conducted by a qualified individual and include a visual inspection and an insulation resistance test. The visual inspection should check for signs of damage or wear, such as cuts, punctures, or tears in the insulation. The insulation resistance test should be conducted with a megohmmeter, and the results should be recorded in a log for future reference.
The NFPA 70E also requires regular testing of insulated gloves. According to the standard, gloves must be tested before initial use and at least once every six months thereafter. The testing must be conducted by a qualified individual and include a visual inspection and a dielectric test. The visual inspection should check for signs of damage or wear, such as cuts, punctures, or tears in the insulation. The dielectric test should be conducted with a dielectric test device, and the results should be recorded in a log for future reference.
In addition to these field testing, OSHA and the NFPA 70E also require that insulated gloves be tested in a laboratory setting. These laboratory tests are designed to ensure that the gloves meet the necessary safety standards and are able to provide the necessary protection to workers.
According to OSHA, laboratory testing must include an ASTM D120-05 test, which measures the electrical insulation properties of the gloves. The gloves must also be tested for flame resistance, in accordance with ASTM D471-05, to ensure that they will not ignite or spread flames in the event of an electrical arc flash or flash fire.
The NFPA 70E also requires laboratory testing of insulated gloves. According to the standard, gloves must be tested in a laboratory setting to ensure that they meet ASTM F496-20, which is the standard for electrical insulation rubber gloves. The gloves must also be tested for flame resistance, in accordance with ASTM F1149-19, to ensure that they will not ignite or spread flames in the event of an electrical arc flash or flash fire.
Overall, the OSHA and the NFPA 70E require regular testing of insulated gloves in the field and in a laboratory setting. This testing is crucial to ensure that the gloves are in good condition and are able to provide the necessary protection to workers. Employers should ensure that they are following these guidelines and regulations and that all workers are using properly tested and maintained insulated gloves on the job.
