Working around powerlines is dangerous — and when bad weather strikes, that danger intensifies. Rain, lightning, snow, and high winds don’t just make the job harder — they increase the risk of electrocution, arc flash, and serious injury.
That’s why specialized PPE for electrical work in harsh weather is essential. At Novarlo, we provide utility workers, linemen, and electricians with OSHA-compliant, NFPA 70E-rated, and weather-ready gear built for these environments.
Why Stormy Conditions Are More Dangerous
Working near energized lines in adverse weather introduces risks like:
- Moisture increasing conductivity, heightening arc flash risk
- Low visibility and wind, leading to missteps or dropped tools
- Exposure to lightning, especially when working at elevation
- Heavy gear getting soaked, reducing mobility and comfort
Proper PPE must do two things: protect from electrical hazards and hold up against weather exposure.
1. Arc-Rated Flame-Resistant (AR/FR) Clothing
For electrical safety, rainwear and base layers must have an arc rating (ATPV or EBT) and meet NFPA 70E and ASTM F1506 standards. Cotton alone won’t cut it — it absorbs moisture and offers no thermal protection.
Recommended AR/FR Gear:
- Ariat FR DuraStretch Full Zip Hoodie– CAT 2, 21.2cal/cm² Ariat - Mens FR DuraStretch Full Zip Hoodie
- DRIFIRE FR Hi-Vis Rain Jacket – CAT 3, ANSI Class 3 Drifire Hydroflash Hi Vis FR/AR Rain Jacket
- Bulwark Heavyweight FR Insulated Bomber Jacket– CAT 3 Bulwark - Men's Heavyweight FR Insulated Bomber Jacket
- BlakLader -FR Henley Shirt - 9.1 cal, CAT 2 BlakLader -FR Henley Shirt - 9.1 cal, CAT 2
Layer up for better protection — outer layers for water resistance, mid layers for insulation, and FR base layers for burn mitigation.
2. Insulated Electrical Gloves with Leather Protectors
Insulating gloves are your first line of defense against electric shock. For any energized work, you must wear rubber voltage-rated gloves with leather outer protectors.
Glove Options:
- Class 2 Electrical Glove Kit – Rubber Gloves + Leather Protectors Rubber Voltage Glove Kit - Class 2 Voltage Rated Enespro ArcGuard
- Class 0 Insulated Rubber Glove Kit – For up to 1,000V Rubber Voltage Glove Kit - Class 0 Voltage Rated - Arc Guard
- Kunz Cowhide Leather Voltage Glove Protectors Kunz Cowhide Leather Drivers Glove Shirred, Arc/Puncture/Cut
Tip: Gloves should be tested regularly per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.137 guidelines.
3. Type II, Class E Hard Hats
When working in stormy conditions, choose a hard hat that protects from top and side impacts and offers electrical insulation. Type II hard hats with Class E certification are ideal.
Best Picks:
- HexArmor - Class E Type II Full Brim Safety Helmet - Ceros® XT400EHexArmor - Class E Type II Full Brim Safety Helmet - Ceros® XT400E
- Zero Pinnacle Exo Chinstrap Helmet - Voltage & Molten Metal Protection Zero Pinnacle Exo Chinstrap Helmet - Voltage & Molten Metal Protection
- Ridgeline XR7 Hard Hats with Chin Strap (PK 6 Helmets) Ridgeline XR7 Hard Hats with Chin Strap (PK 6 Helmets) - Pyramex
Bonus: Look for models with built-in chin straps and rain channels for high-wind use.
4. Arc Flash Face Protection + Anti-Fog Eye Gear
Visibility is everything in stormy conditions. Goggles and face shields must be anti-fog, impact-rated, and if applicable, arc-rated.
Top Eye & Face Protection:
- HexArmor - Safety Glasses - VS250 TruShield® HexArmor - Safety Glasses - VS250 TruShield® (1 Pair)
- 12 Cal Hover XTR Series Arc Flash Face Shield Kits - Enespro 12 Cal Hover XTR Series Arc Flash Face Shield Kits - Enespro
- Arc Flash Lift Front Hood with Faceshield, Slotted Adapter and Hard Hat FR & Arc Flash Resistant Lift Front Hood with Faceshield
Fogged-up lenses near energized equipment? That’s a recipe for disaster. Use sealed goggles if working in driving rain.
5. Waterproof & Arc-Rated FR Rain Gear
Standard rainwear can melt or ignite during an arc flash. That’s why storm protection for electrical workers must be flame-resistant and arc-rated.
Weather-Ready FR Outerwear:
- Drifire Hydroflash FR/AR Rain Suit Drifire Hydroflash FR/AR Rain Suit
- Blaklader - Multinorm Yellow Hi-Viz/Navy Blue Shell Jacket - 32 cal/cm², CAT 3 NSA Blaklader - Multinorm Yellow Hi-Viz/Navy Blue Shell Jacket - 32 cal/cm
- Drifire Arc H2O Hi Vis FR/AR Rain Jacket Drifire Arc H2O Hi Vis FR/AR Rain Jacket
Complete your setup with FR rain pants and hi-vis reflective stripes for visibility in low-light conditions.
Stay Safe, Dry, and Compliant
No matter how tough you are, you can’t out-tough an arc flash or electrical storm. That’s why your gear needs to work harder than the weather. Choose layered, arc-rated, and waterproof PPE that keeps you both compliant and protected.
Explore our full collection of electrical PPE at Novarlo
Need help choosing PPE for your crew? Contact our safety specialists for a customized recommendation.