Arc Flash Face Shield
An arc flash face shield is an arc-rated eye and face protector tested to ASTM F2178, designed to shield the face, eyes, and neck from thermal energy, molten metal, pressure, and optical radiation during an arc flash. It is selected based on incident energy (cal/cm²) per CSA Z462 or NFPA 70E and used with a hard hat and safety glasses for complete protection.
On a manufacturing shop floor, an arc flash face shield is required when incident energy exceeds 1.2 cal/cm², typically for tasks like racking draw-out breakers, opening energized disconnects, or troubleshooting control panels. For energies between 1.2 and 12 cal/cm², workers wear a hard hat, arc-rated balaclava, face shield, safety glasses, hearing protection, and arc-rated clothing. The shield must meet ASTM F2178 and be selected per CSA Z462 or NFPA 70E PPE categories. It is mounted on a Class G or E hard hat, with safety glasses underneath for primary eye protection. At higher energies (>12 cal/cm²), a full arc flash hood is used instead.
What standards must an arc flash face shield meet for compliance in a BC manufacturing facility?
The shield must be arc-rated and tested per ASTM F2178, provide optical/impact protection per ANSI Z87.1 or CSA Z94.3, and be selected per CSA Z462 to ensure its ATPV meets or exceeds the incident energy. WorkSafeBC requires PPE appropriate for the hazard, operationalized via CSA Z462.
At what incident energy does CSA Z462 require a face shield versus an arc flash hood?
Above 1.2 cal/cm², arc-rated PPE is required. For Category 1 (≥4 cal/cm²) and Category 2 (≥8 cal/cm²), a face shield with balaclava is typical up to about 12 cal/cm². Above 12 cal/cm², an arc flash hood is used.
How does ATPV relate to worker protection, and can it be below incident energy?
ATPV is the energy level at which there is a 50% probability of a second-degree burn. The shield's ATPV must meet or exceed incident energy for compliance. For single-phase open-air arcs, a 4 cal/cm² differential may be allowed, but three-phase arcs require equal or higher rating.