1910.137 – Electrical Protective Equipment: Watt’s up with that gear?!
Electrical Protective Equipment (EPE) isn't just a shield—it's the superpower workers need to face electrical hazards head-on. With gloves, sleeves, blankets, and covers designed to meet strict OSHA standards like 1910.137, EPE provides superhero-level protection. We're talking about high-voltage gloves that can withstand up to 40,000 volts and blankets that insulate against deadly shocks. EPE is the real power source keeping our workplace heroes safe from harm.
Electrical hazards in the workplace can zap you without warning. That’s why it’s super important to keep EPE well-maintained and tested.
Important information from OSHA Standard 1910.137 – Electrical Protective Equipment:
Scope: The regulation applies to various types of rubber-insulating equipment such as blankets, matting, covers, line hoses, gloves, and sleeves.
Manufacturing and Marking: Blankets, gloves, and sleeves must be produced seamlessly and marked with their class (00 to 4).
Electrical Requirements: Equipment must withstand specific AC or DC proof-test voltages and currents.
In-service Care and Use:
Regular inspection before each use (Use the air test to check for leaks)
Proper storage to protect from damaging conditions
Electrical rubber gloves are to be worn under leather-insulating gloves
Periodic electrical testing by a 3rd party vendor (every 6 months for rubber electrical gloves)
Defective Equipment: Damaged protective equipment must be removed from service!
To perform the daily inspection on your rubber gloves, manually fill them with air or use a powered inflator, and then check for leakage. Put your ear up to the inflated glove and listen for escaping air. If you hear air escaping out of a pin hole, it must be taken out of service.
Brandy’s Fast Fact: Class 2 rubber insulating equipment is a true workplace superhero, capable of withstanding an impressive 17,000 volts AC. To put that into perspective, it's equivalent to the power needed for approximately 1,700 average American households.
Not sure what inspections need to be conducted on your EPE? Contact Us Today!
This blog was written by Brandy Zadoorian, CSP, and Triangle Safety Consulting LLC's Owner and Principal Consultant.
She offers audits, expertise, resources, and guidance to help small to medium-sized manufacturing facilities improve their safety program, including compliance with OSHA Requirements.
She is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) under the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
