PPE Inspection & Maintenance

In order to continue to provide the required level of protection, personal protective equipment must be regularly inspected and properly maintained. All PPE must be visually inspected before each use for damage and wear. More thorough testing is also required at regular intervals and varies by the type of PPE being evaluated. The American Society for Testing and Materials provides detailed information for testing electrical protective equipment.

When inspecting PPE, look for the following:

• Tears and worn areas of AR clothing
• Contamination of AR clothing (such as grease or flammable liquids)
• Foreign objects embedded in insulating gloves (such as metal splinters)
• Fine cracks, holes, punctures, tears, or cuts in gloves
• Swelling, softening, stickiness, or hardening of gloves

For maintenance and storage of PPE, keep the following in mind:

• Do not wash AR clothing with other clothes
• Do not use bleach, fabric softener, or starches on AR clothing
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for care and maintenance of AR clothing
• Store AR clothing in a manner that prevents:
  • Physical damage
  • Damage from deteriorating agents (e.g., moisture, dust)
  • Contamination from flammable or combustible materials

To learn more about Arc Flash Safety visit our OSHA Construction Arc Flash Safety Online Training web page.