Arc flash Category 0

Well without looking at the standard, my understanding of "Cat. 0, Non melting clothes" are clothes made of materials that don't melt (such as cotton) as apposed to clothing made of fibres that do melt (like man-made oil-based fibres and material).

It's a start.

Does NFPA have a glossary clearly defining what "Non melting clothes" means (most of the standards I deal with do)?

<...What level of protection do I need for these folks?...>

A lock on the panel, for a start, so that its interior is only available to authorised persons.

NFPA 240.82(D) requires the breakers to be Switch Rated if they are used for that type of duty. No Cat 0 should be required if they are rated for switching.

If Union Members are switching circuit breakers on and off machinery and the circuit breaker and enclosure is not listed as a switch. They would have to be trained to energize and de-energize equipment in the proper manner not with the use of the overcurrent protection which should only be used by properly licensed and trained personnel. If they still insist on using the breakers, I would contact the union representatives in writing and notify them that there members are in direct violation of proper safety procedures and if they need to be instructed to work safely or be removed from the property.

If you have no other means to disconnect equipment other than the overcurrent protection device. Then you need to contact the engineer or supplier or some one of authority and ask them to produce evidence that the operation of such a device is proper and safe (in writing of course). Or ask them for proper instructions for a start-up and shut-down procedure, and train your personnel the proper operation.

Your assumptions are mostly correct.

First union or non union, I can't imagine an industrial facility where the mandating appropriate work clothing is not acceptable. Especially PPE for a task with a defined set of hazards. Steel toed shoes, Eye protection, hearing protection, back support?, non-melting clothing?; its a very logical progression. The worst thing you get into, is that the union will want you to provide any "Specialty" PPE and they will probably have the support of OSHA regs.

The first thing you do is define the operation of said device(s) as a standard task with hazards. Then under OSHA you are required to train your folks to the "qualified" status. You'll add this standard task to the job definition of your plant operators and electricians. Then no other craft will be authorized to perform the task. Train your operators and electricians and then provide PPE as necessary.

It will cost you some $$$$, so just get ready.

Get a copy of NFPA-70e and the CFR's read them thoroughly, put in page tabs and highlight passages that apply. Then throw them down on the desk of the management/labor every time they give you static.

As a last resort, you could call your OSHA office and talk to them about requirements. But take care to keep the conversation anonymous unless your on good terms with the local inspector.

Here we are required to use a face shield, high voltage resistance gloves, that have to be certified and retested on regular schedule, and a proper apron. The good old fashion leather one is the best deal. That said, in 40 deg C. heat they are not very happy campers. They are more likely to die from heat stroke than from an arc flash.