• Electrical protective equipment must be clearly marked with the equipment class.
• Electrical protective equipment must also meet OSHA requirements as defined in 1926.97.
• Employers must ensure that electrical protective equipment is maintained in a safe and reliable condition.

Each electrical protective equipment item must be clearly marked as follows:

• Class 00 equipment shall be marked Class 00.
• Class 0 equipment shall be marked Class 0.
• Class 1 equipment shall be marked Class 1.
• Class 2 equipment shall be marked Class 2.
• Class 3 equipment shall be marked Class 3.
• Class 4 equipment shall be marked Class 4.
• Nonozone-resistant equipment shall be marked Type I.

In addition to the above criteria, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires that electrical protective equipment meet industry standards, including being capable of withstanding rigorous voltage testing. Employers should check all equipment and ensure it meets the requirements set out at 1926.97.

Maintenance and inspection requirements

OSHA requires that employers maintain electrical protective equipment in a safe and reliable condition. This includes ensuring that PPE is free of scratches, cuts, holes, brazes, or other conditions that compromise the equipment’s protective rating.