Which PPE is required when rigging near electrical equipment?

• A. Hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and safety footwear; NFPA 70E-compliant arc-flash PPE as required.
• B. Hearing protection only.
• C. No PPE needed.
• D. Only gloves.

Answer: (A)

When rigging near electrical equipment, the main safety concern is protecting against electrical hazards and potential arc-flash energy. The best approach is to wear a complete set of PPE that covers head, eyes, hands, and feet, with additional arc-flash protection as dictated by the task’s energy level. A hard hat protects the head from impact and, in some cases, electrical hazards; safety glasses shield the eyes from debris and arc energy; gloves provide hand protection and must be arc-rated for the anticipated incident energy; and safety footwear guards the feet and helps resist electrical contact. In addition, NFPA 70E requires arc-flash PPE that matches the specific energy level of the work, so wearing arc-flash-rated clothing and equipment as required is essential. Hearing protection alone does not address the primary risks, and no PPE or only gloves would leave critical areas exposed to shock, arc-flash, or impacts. So, the correct approach combines general protective gear with NFPA 70E-compliant arc-flash PPE tailored to the task.