Power Transmission
Safety

Power transmission is crucial for delivering electricity over vast distances, maintaining power flow across regions. Workers in this field face high-voltage risks and physical hazards, requiring specialized PPE to protect against electrical shock, arc flash, and head impact.

Keeping Power Transmission Workers Safe

Power transmission plays a vital role in ensuring electricity reaches homes and businesses across vast distances. However, it comes with significant risks. Workers who maintain power lines and substations face constant exposure to high-voltage electrical systems, heavy equipment, and hazardous work environments. Read more »

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in reducing the risks associated with this challenging industry. Workers must wear insulated gloves, rubber mats, and rubber sleeves to protect against electrical shocks when working near live wires. In situations where arc flash is a risk, arc flash suits, face shields, and flame-resistant clothing provide critical protection. Additionally, when workers operate in environments where flying debris, falling tools, or accidental head impacts are a threat, advanced head protection—such as impact-resistant helmets—helps protect workers from these hazards.

The Hazards Faced by Lineman are Quite Shocking

A little less than 50 linemen lose their lives every year due to fatal work injuries. The number one hazard for any lineman is electrocution and one of their last lines of defense is their PPE. Rubber insulating gloves and sleeves play a critical role in keeping linemen safe.

PIP® addresses your challenges with simple, innovative solutions.

Complete head-to-toe protection designed for versatility and performance
Consolidation by offering one solution for a wide range of hazards
Continuous training and resources for you and your team
Safety specialists and industry veterans that partner with you to encourage your team to invest in their own safety

Novax® Rubber Insulating Products

NOVAX® is an industry-leading brand of electrical safety products and is trusted by some of the world’s largest utilities and electrical contractors. Continued technological innovations result in unrivaled, exceptional products that our customers proudly stand by.

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Looking for a complete safety solution for your team?

Check out our picks for a complete head-to-toe safety outfit for utility lineman or contact Ben Bird to have a conversation about putting together a custom solution for your facility.

Hand Protection

NOVAX®

Class 2 Rubber Insulating Glove with Bell Cuff - 16"

154-2-16

Protectors

PIP®

Top Grain Goatskin Leather Protector for Novax® Gloves - Gauntlet Cuff

148-4000

Arm Protection

NOVAX®

Class 2 Rubber Insulating Sleeve

199-2

Safety Eyewear

Commander™

Semi-Rimless Safety Glasses with Gloss Black Frame, Gray Lens and Anti-Scratch / Anti-Fog Coating

250-33-0021

Head Protection

Kilimanjaro™

Type II Full Brim Safety Helmet with HDPE Shell, 4-Point Textile Suspension, Wheel Ratchet Adjustment and 4-Point Chinstrap

280-HP642R-CH

Workwear Top

PIP®

AR/FR Dual Certified Ripstop Long Sleeve Workshirt - 9 cal/cm2

385-FRRS

Workwear Pants

PIP®

AR/FR Dual Certified Stretch Jeans – 13.1 cal/cm2

385-FRSJ

Footwear

PUMA® Safety

Conquest Black CTX HIGH Composite Toe Impact Resistant Toe Cap, COA.TEX-Membrane, Electrical Hazard protection, Water Proof, Safety Boots

630735-200

ASK THE EXPERT image of expert Ben Bird

ASK THE EXPERT Ben Bird - Business Development Manager, Utilities

Ben has 30 years of experience in both Electrical and Industrial Distribution. He leads a team of utility sales representatives around the country that promotes the line of PIP safety products to utilities, electrical cooperatives, and municipalities. He has conducted arc flash awareness training for manufacturing facilities and electrical contractors around the country. He’s well versed on NFPA 70E electrical standards and OSHA 1910.269 utility standards.

As one of 150 PIP safety experts, Ben helps standardize PPE to reduce costs, prevent injuries, and boost productivity.

Industrial Safety Hazards
- Electrical Shock and Electrocution - Exposure to live wires and electrical components poses a significant risk of electrical shock or electrocution. Workers may come into contact with energized lines or equipment while maintaining, installing, or repairing transmission systems.
- Arc Flash - Arc flashes are intense bursts of heat and light caused by electrical faults, which can lead to severe burns, blindness, or even death. This is particularly dangerous when working near high-voltage electrical systems.
- Falling from Heights - Power transmission workers often work at great heights, such as climbing utility poles, towers, or working on aerial transmission lines. Falling from these heights can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
- Flying Debris and Falling Objects - The work environment is often subject to flying debris from tools, machinery, or other workers. Falling tools or equipment can pose risks to workers below.
- Extreme Weather Conditions - Workers may have to work in harsh weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow. These environmental conditions can increase the risk of heat stress, frostbite, or slips and falls.
- Slips, Trips, and Falls - Working on uneven terrain, wet or icy surfaces, or near heavy equipment can increase the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls, causing injuries.
- Impact Injuries - Workers face the risk of being struck by tools, machinery, or equipment, especially when working in confined spaces or on high-pressure tasks.
- Musculoskeletal Injuries - The physical demands of the job, including heavy lifting, bending, and repetitive tasks, can lead to strain and musculoskeletal injuries over time.
Industry Standards
NFPA 70E
Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, is a standard published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that provides guidelines to protect workers from electrical hazards, including arc flash, arc blast, and electrical shock. It is widely used in industries where employees work on or near energized electrical systems.
Specifies PPE Categories to match PPE to the level of risk in arc flash environments.
- Category 1: Arc-rated clothing with a minimum arc rating of 4 cal/cm²
- Category 2: Arc-rated clothing with a minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm²
- Category 3: Arc-rated clothing with a minimum arc rating of 25 cal/cm²
- Category 4: Arc-rated clothing with a minimum arc rating of 40 cal/cm²
NFPA 2112
Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire is a standard that was developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It provides minimal requirements for the design, performance, testing and certification of flame-resistant (FR) garments to protect workers from flash fire hazards.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910
The Electrical Safety Standard for the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution industry. It outlines requirements for electrical safety practices to protect workers from electrical hazards in these facilities.

OSHA 29 CFR 1926
- Subpart V: Focuses on the safety and health regulations for construction activities involving electric power transmission and distribution.
ASTM F1506
Governs performance requirements for flame-resistant clothing used in areas with arc flash hazards.
Ensures garments meet minimum arc thermal performance values (ATPV).

ASTM D120
Standard for rubber insulating gloves and sleeves, with focus on the manufacturing and initial testing.

ASTM F496
Outlines the in-service care and ongoing maintenance, testing and inspection procedures of rubber insulating gloves and sleeves.

ANSI/ISEA Z89.1
Sets requirements for head protection, emphasizing hard hats with electrical class ratings (Class E for electrical hazards).

IEC 61482
Live working - Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc, is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It sets guidelines for the performance, testing, and certification of protective clothing designed to safeguard workers from arc flash hazards.

IEEE 1584
Provides guidelines for performing arc flash calculations to determine appropriate PPE levels.