All electrical errands demand different use of PPE, and this sometimes might prove to be a difficult task for a novice or DIYer like myself.
I researched and decided to write this article about the best protective clothing for electricians.
Some of the best protective clothing for electricians are Electricians Vest, electrician safety gloves or lineman gloves, safety shoes, and electrician’s coveralls. Along with these, you must wear proper protective clothing to save you from any possible hazard.
Safety precautions must be taken seriously while working around the electricity, whether you are a DIYer or an expert electrician.
I have focused this article on various protective clothing for electricians that you might find very useful.
So without much ado, let us quickly check out these in detail.
Most Important Protective Clothing for Electricians
Before I start blabbering about the list of protective clothing for electricians, let me quickly list a few essential pointers to remember before you start working on a project.
These are basic safety measures and a list of clothing you should wear to protect yourself.
Moreover, if you are a DIYer, this list should always be kept handy and referred to before you do any electrical experiments yourself.
- Wear cotton undergarments.
- Choose to put on a natural-fiber and short-sleeved T-shirt.
- The pants and the long-sleeved cotton shirt are also acceptable.
- Use coveralls if possible.
- A hard hat is essential for head safety.
- Use safety glasses to keep your eyes protected from sudden sparks or particles.
- If there is a possibility of loud volume, then use hearing protection. (Especially useful in the HVAC industry).
- Always wear insulated gloves for protection.
- Leather shoes can protect you, so use them while working around electricity.
Electrician Vest
I won’t be the first to tell you that a safety vest is essential protective equipment used in multiple professions.
This is especially avital PPE in an occupation with a high risk of injury or fatality.
Electrician work is one of the most dangerous; one should not toy with electrical circuits without proper knowledge.
An electrician vest is designed to keep you protected from harm’s way.
These are considered one of the most essential protective clothing for electricians. You must select the vest that is made as per your particular industry.
Moreover, the classification of these vests in done as per the amount of reflective material on the surface of the clothing.
Therefore, you must understand the classification and choose the right vest for your job.
How to Choose a Vest?
Electricians’ safety vests are classified into various styles. Some styles are adjustable vests, breakaway vests, economy vests, and safety jackets. Each style is suitable for specific conditions; therefore, your selection must rely on your requirements.
The best protective safety vest is one that complies with the safety guidelines of your company.
Make sure to choose the vest per your organization’s requirement and the one that offers the best protection against possible harm.
Here are my recommendations for the best electrical vest:
YAKEDA Tactical Vest – This is one of the best-selling vests for electricians made from a durable nylon mesh material.
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Moreover, it comes with an adjustable belt and waist shoulder. I found it to be very lightweight and breathable.
Occidental Leather 2500 – I found this vest to be a high utility vest that comes with 17 pockets and fully adjustable straps. You can even store your cell phone, notepads, calculators, etc.
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Moreover, the belt is 3-inch wide, making it very comfortable to wear.
Salzmann 3M Multi-Pocket Working Vest – If you are looking for a high visibility reflective vest that offers the best utility for electricians, I recommend Salzmann 3M vest.
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It is made from scotch-lite reflective material and has four large pockets. You will find it very durable and valuable.
STANLEY FATMAX – This vest for electricians comes with multiple pockets. The manufacturer has used air mesh material to make it breathable.
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I found the adjustable shoulder straps particularly useful. Moreover, this vest comes with a light-reflective safety strip.
It is a durable vest in the marketplace and offers one of the best protective clothing for electricians.
Vest Categories
In layman’s language, the categories reflect your vest’s protection for a particular type of risk. These safety vests are classified into class II or class III types.
Let me explain this in detail so you can choose proper protective clothing for electricians.
Class II
This type of vest is suitable for people who operate large machinery or work around areas with heavy traffic. It is also suitable when you face danger with a speed limit of 25 to 50 miles per hour. If your organization does not lay down any guidelines on the type of vest to choose from, then you should opt for either a class II or a class III vest.
The class II vest has retro-reflective material that measures 201 sq. inches and has an additional 1.375
Class III
This type of vest comes with a sleeve and is more visible when you wear it. Class III vests have 1240 sq. inches of background material and 310 sq. inches of reflective material with two-inch striping. It is also the best choice if you work around the area with traffic of about 50 mph.
ANSI 207 Safety Vests
These special-purpose vests are for professions like police, emergency response, firefighters, electricians, etc.
Economy Class Vests
These are the most common vests that provide essential protection against immediate perils. You must check the detailed specifications before purchasing it. It is essential to know about the protection these types of vests offer.
Electrical Safety Gloves / Lineman Gloves
Electrical safety gloves are also one of electricians’ most critical protective clothing. Safety gloves offer protection to your hands when you work around electrical circuits.
It is important to remember that an electrician’s job has many uncertain hazards, so you need to use proper PPE for protection.
The best type of gloves for electricians is rubber insulating gloves as they are non-conductors and keep you protected.
Your safety gloves should have the following features:
- It should be durable and have proper insulation.
- It should offer flexibility.
- It should be made as per government safety standards.
Types of Gloves for Electricians
It might sound a little strange to you when I say that you should wear three types of gloves when you work around electricity.
I am not joking!
If you are working around live conducting circuits or objects near water, the chances of getting electrocuted are very high.
There might be similar hazardous job sites where you need to ensure maximum protection is practiced.
Here are the three types of electrician’s gloves:
Rubber Insulating Gloves
Rubber is a non-conductive material that offers a certain amount of protection against electric shocks. However, they are meant for high voltage protection. Rubber gloves also protect against scratches, cuts, abrasions, and shocks.
Liner Gloves
I wear these gloves all the time, along with my rubber gloves.
You would know what I am talking about if you are an expert electrician. Although helpful, rubber gloves are not very comfortable while you work.
Liner gloves help to reduce this discomfort and hence help to work in all conditions with ease.
Moreover, they keep you warm when it’s cold outside, and in summer, they absorb sweat.
They come with a straight sleeve or a knitted wrist.
Leather Protective Gloves
Again, these gloves are required to be worn above the rubber gloves. They provide more protection against cuts and abrasions while you work.
Rubber gloves can get punctured and expose you to risk; leather gloves protect you against that. They also offer great comfort and fit, which lets you work conveniently.
Characterization of Electrical Safety Gloves
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has clear rules illustrating the plan, care, and appropriate use of necessities for all electrical safety gloves.
This incorporates protecting gloves, sleeves, covers, tangles, covers, and hoses.
Electrical evaluation defensive gloves are characterized by how much voltage they can secure against and whether they are ozone-safe.
Voltage protection levels are divided into the following classes:
Class 0
Provides for a maximum of 1k volts AC, also proof tested to 5k volts AC.
Class 1
Provides for a maximum of 7.5k volts AC. Also, proof tested to 10k volts AC.
Class 2
Provides for a maximum of 17k volts AC, also proof tested to 20k volts AC.
Class 3
Provides for a maximum of 26.5k volts AC, also proof tested to 30k volts AC.
Class 4
Provides for a maximum of 36k volts AC, also proof tested to 40k volts AC.
Safety Boots for Electricians
When I talk about protective clothing for electricians, I cannot forget to mention safety boots. They are one of the most essential safety equipment in the electrical industry.
Moreover, if you are working in heavy industry, then you would need to protect your feet from heavier objects. There is always a danger of them falling and hurting your feet.
Another essential thing to remember when you work in the electrical industry is that you need to protect your feet if you are working near water.
It is fatal to work with electricity near water, and I highly suggest you avoid it as much as possible.
However, when you work in such damp conditions, please ensure to keep your feet covered with safety shoes meant for electricians.
I would also like to point out that electricity needs a complete circuit to finish its flow.
If you are not wearing proper safety shoes, your foot will act as a conducting material, leading to electrocution.
This is the reason why safety shoes are of utmost importance to electricians.
Options for Safety Shoes
I recommend using these shoes if you are looking for the best ones for an electrician’s work:
- Carhartt Men’s 6″ Waterproof Composite Toe CME6351 Industrial Boot
- Skechers Men’s Burgin Industrial Boot
- Timberland PRO Men’s 26038 6″ Steel Toe Boot, Black,10 M
- Thorogood Men’s MAXwear Wedge Non-Safety Toe Boot
Electrician Coveralls
These are some of the most vital protective clothing for electricians. Some organizations make it compulsory for you to wear these at the job site.
These coveralls provide ultimate protection against possible hazards at the site. Let me explain in detail.
For circuit repairmen, fire retardant coveralls are as significant as circuit tester devices. Contingent upon the workplace, they might be an obligatory PPE.
You must protect yourself at sites with a possible fire hazards.
Fire retardant coveralls provide you protection against any fire outbreak at job sites.
Short circuits or electrical leakage might cause fire, and proper protection is required against it.
Wet Weather Protective Clothing for Electricians
I mentioned in the write-up before that, if possible, you should avoid working in rainy or wet weather conditions.
However, your job profile or the emergence of the task might sometimes require you to work under the situations.
I recommend that you are geared properly before you go out and work your magic on the electrical circuits in the rain.
You need to have proper wet weather protective clothing for electricians if you plan to work in such conditions.
I have drafted a few critical work gear for such situations, which I have mentioned below, along with some suggestions.
Read ahead and find out more about these.
Various Work Gears
Rain Jacket or Bomber Jacket
Most emergency tasks requiring you to work in the rain are in the open, so extra caution is required. You can wear a rain jacket or a bomber jacket to protect yourself.
Utility Pro UHV575 is one of the most unique and highly recommended products you can use during extreme rainy conditions. It is ANSI certified, has a removable fleece liner that repels liquid, and is waterproof.
Waist Pants or Bib Pants
You can use waist pants or bib pants to work in damp or rainy weather. There are numerous options available in the marketplace.
However, I recommend using the Viking Professional Journeyman FR. It is made from 100% waterproof material and is also windproof.
The heavy-duty construction of this bib pant make is puncture-proof, abrasion and tear-resistant.
Caterpillar Men’s H2o Defender Pant might be a good option if you are just looking for pants.
It is water-resistant and has reflective piping on the front and back knees.
Safety Glasses
It is tough to work in wet weather, especially when the visibility is not good. You can make use of water safety glasses to work comfortably.
I recommend NoCry Safety Glasses with Clear Anti Fog and Scratch Resistant.
Various Tips to Keep You Safe During Wet Weather
Take as Much Time as Necessary
You may get enticed to work quickly during the downpour; however, DON’T. The rain makes surfaces and streets smooth.
Focus on your environmental factors and move gradually–particularly if you’re utilizing stepping stools or frameworks.
Use Rain Gear
Rain gear incorporates both a waterproof shell and jeans. Ensure the material is ventilated and can be worn serenely for significant periods.
Remember, your hands and feet, and you should wear gloves with a solid non-slip grasp and shoes with profound tracks to forestall slipping.
Visibility
Make sure you wear proper safety goggles or headlamps that provide lighting to let your work in the proper light. You can also wear a cap to keep the water out of your eyes.
Keep Yourself Visible
Continuously wear high-permeability apparel to guarantee that individual specialists and onlookers see you.
Utilize the Correct Instruments
Never use apparatuses that are not intended to be utilized outside while it is coming down, for example, electrical gear. Select hand apparatuses that have a finished, non-slip grasp.
Concluding Thoughts
Working around electrical equipment is hazardous and demands you to be extra cautious. Electricians can never overrate safety, so understanding the option is vital.
I focused this article on the best protective clothing for electricians so that you get all the essential information in one place.
This article’s details result from extensive research and personal experience.
I had also included a section to give safety tips while working in the rain and what protective equipment for electricians can be used in such circumstances.
The write-up is meant for all the DIYers, expert electricians, and novices.
I hope you found the information helpful and enjoyed reading this article.
