Rail PPE

Keeping your team safe is always top priority. Your team need to be protected against an Arc Flash incident if there is a risk of one occurring whilst they work. Railway PPE needs to adhere to other standards and not just protect against Arc Flash. That's why all of our clothing is multinorm, offering protection for the whole job and not just against the risk of an Arc Flash. If your teams work in industries close to sources of high voltage, there is a good chance they need protection. A first step is to conduct an Arc Flash study at your site, a risk assessment that determines the Arc Flash hazards present. An expert in electrical safety conducts the assessment so a company understands the risks their workplace poses, and how to protect against them.

An Arc Flash Study assesses electrical equipment to calculate how much energy could be released in an arc flash event. It involves gathering system data (fault currents, protective device settings), calculating incident energy and the arc flash boundary, then assigning the correct PPE category and hazard labelling for each piece of equipment. The results tell workers what arc-rated PPE to wear and how close they can safely get when working on or near live equipment.

It must be carried out by a competent person with suitably qualified electrical engineering expertise — usually a specialist electrical engineer or accredited third-party assessor with experience in power systems analysis and knowledge of the relevant standards (e.g., IEEE 1584 or NFPA 70E). It's not something general site staff or non-specialist electricians would normally be authorised to carry out, as it requires specific calculations and system data analysis. The study is typically commissioned by the asset owner or employer responsible for the electrical installation.

Railway PPE typically includes high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, a hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, and gloves. The exact combination depends on the task, location, and risk assessment, with additional PPE such as respiratory protection or arc-rated clothing required for specific activities like tunnel work or electrical isolations.

Orange hi-vis is used on the rail network because it contrasts strongly against most backgrounds and weather conditions, making trackside workers easier for train drivers and plant operators to spot at speed and distance. Historically some roles used yellow, but orange became the standard rail PPE colour to ensure consistency across the network and PPE must now meet the RIS-TOM-3279 standard to be worn when working on railway lines in the UK.

Yes — colour vision deficiency is considered in rail PPE design, since some workers may struggle to distinguish orange hi-vis from certain backgrounds under specific lighting. Employers should factor this into task-specific risk assessments and may need to rely more heavily on retroreflective strips, positioning, and additional controls rather than colour alone. ProGARM can help make these amendments to the garments as part of a custom order, reach out to our team to learn more.

Yes, arc-rated (flame-resistant) PPE is required for work on or near overhead line electrification (OLE) or third-rail systems where there's a risk of arc flash. The level of protection needed is determined by an arc flash study, which calculates incident energy and assigns the correct PPE category for each task.

Yes — the retroreflective properties of hi-vis rail PPE degrade with washing, UV exposure, and general wear, reducing visibility over time. Most rail PPE has a recommended inspection and replacement schedule, and workers should check garments for fading, damage, or reduced reflectivity before each shift. ProGARM garments have been tested and last up to 70% longer than some competitor garments.

Work near a live third rail requires insulated and arc-rated PPE appropriate to the voltage and risk identified in the electrical safety assessment, in addition to standard hi-vis and safety footwear. Isolation procedures and permits are also required before any work takes place close to conductor rails, regardless of PPE worn.

PPE during a possession is generally the same as standard trackside PPE (hi-vis, hard hat, safety footwear, eye protection), but risk assessments for possessions often introduce additional requirements such as specific lighting-related hi-vis for night possessions or extra protection for plant and machinery operations.

There's no single universal timeframe — it depends on the PPE type, manufacturer guidance, and how heavily it's used. Hi-vis garments are usually checked before each shift for reflectivity and damage, while hard hats and other hard PPE are typically replaced based on manufacturer-recommended service life or after any impact.