Electrical contractor going to work in a high-vis UltraSoft shirt and Indigo denim.

Hazards and Safety Standards

NFPA 70E®

NFPA 70E is meant to provide a practical, safe working area for employees relative to the hazards that arise from electricity use. This standard addresses electrical safety-related work practices, maintenance requirements and other administrative controls for workers whose job responsibilities involve interaction with energized electrical hazards that could result in injury or fatality due to shock, arc flash and arc blast. The majority of our fabrics provide NFPA 70E category 1 or 2 protection. Reach out to your regional market manager for any additional questions or resources related to 70E.

Applicable Hazards

Arc Flash

The intense energy and short duration of an electric arc represents a unique exposure — one that requires flame-resistant garments durable enough to withstand temperatures that approach 35,000 °F while providing the wearer with protection to self-extinguish when the arc flash event is over (in tenths of a second) and better insulate/protect against a second degree burn through the fabric.

Once ignited, regular cotton or poly/cotton work clothes could continue burning even after the source of the ignition is removed. Westex arc flash protection fabrics, however, will self-extinguish and provide guaranteed flame resistance for the life of the garment.

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