Think personal protective equipment (PPE) isn’t needed when working in a data center? Well, you’d be wrong. PPE is often neglected in IT-related workplaces like data centers. Yet, due to the sheer amount of electrical equipment in place, using PPE can be lifesaving when working in a data center.
Data centers are highly energized facilities. As demands on data center infrastructure increase, so does the amount of electrical energy running through the facility. The average hyperscale data center consumes 20–50 megawatts (MW) each year. That’s enough to power up to 37,500 homes!
With this in mind, supplying your data center workers with the appropriate PPE is critical for keeping them safe at work.
Common data center hazards
Before choosing PPE for your data center employees, it is important to first understand the hazards they will experience when working on or within your facilities.
Working in a data center may not seem like a hazardous workplace, especially when compared to other industrial work environments. However, data centers still come with risks that require careful attention and action. By understanding common data center hazards, you can equip your team with the most suitable PPE.
Electrical hazards
Data centers house an array of high-voltage electrical equipment, including servers, power distribution units (PDUs), and switchboards. These highly energized units put your workers at risk of electrical hazards such as arc flashes, electrical shocks, or even fires.
Modern data centers prioritize efficiency, packing as much computing power as possible into a small footprint. This exposes your data center workers to a dangerously large amount of electrical energy. Improper handling, faulty equipment, or unexpected electrical surges and failures could have significantly damaging effects, making PPE and electrical safety a top priority.
Thermal hazards
With electrical equipment running around the clock, data centers generate significant amounts of heat. The hot temperatures in a data center can be exacerbated by poor ventilation. Inadequate cooling or HVAC failure can lead to extreme temperatures, posing thermal risks such as burns or heat exhaustion.
High temperatures can also lead to increased energy use for cooling equipment or could run the risk of equipment overheating, failures, or outages due to heat.
Environmental hazards
Don’t overlook the environmental hazards hidden within data centers.
Data centers can be loud due to the constant hum of equipment like servers and cooling systems — the noise level inside data centers can reach 90 decibels near server areas.
In some data centers, it may be necessary to work on ladders or elevated platforms to get to equipment that is out of reach. Without proper equipment or training, this poses a risk of falling.
Data centers can also be dusty. This dust not only interferes with equipment performance but also poses a fire hazard. Dust particles, when combined with electrical sparks, can ignite, leading to potentially catastrophic fires.
Mechanical hazards
You also need to be aware of the mechanical risks associated with working in a data center. From hot equipment to working with live electrics, or exposing sharp wires and inner-workings of equipment, there are several mechanical hazards to be aware of within data centers.
Equipping your workers with the correct PPE and handling training will help minimize their risk of injury.
Recommended personal protective equipment for data center workers
The use of PPE in data centers is not explicitly mandated by law in the US. However, compliance with certain safety standards and regulations is necessary, particularly concerning electrical hazards like arc flash or electrocution. These regulations, such as OSHA and NFPA 70E, state that employees working with electrical or mechanical equipment should be provided with appropriate PPE.
While there is no singular blanket rule regarding personal protective equipment for data centers, compliance with OSHA regulations and adherence to safety standards related to electrical hazards are necessary. Data center managers can use these regulations and standards to develop electrical safety best practices and choose the most suitable PPE for their workers.
PPE for data center workers should take into account the potential electrical, thermal, environmental, and mechanical hazards. Workers can then choose the appropriate PPE for the duties they intend to perform.
PPE that protects against electrical hazards
Wearing and using PPE that protects against electrical hazards is crucial for data center employees working on or near electrical equipment. Arc flash incidents can cause severe injuries or even fatalities, making arc flash certified PPE a must.
Arc-rated clothing are garments made from flame-resistant materials that meet particular safety standards — IEC 61482 for the UK and Europe or NFPA 70E for the US. Wearing arc-rated PPE will protect workers against electrical and thermal risks associated with electrical incidents.
Shop our range of arc-rated and fire-retardant clothing and PPE
PPE that protects against mechanical hazards
From hot equipment surfaces to sharp edges and live electrical components, data centers are full of mechanical hazards. Proper PPE is essential for protecting workers against these risks.
Although standards don’t have specific guidance for data center PPE, you can follow guidelines set by OSHA and ANSI in the US or by adhering to the relevant IEC and BS EN safety standards for the UK. These will all provide specifications for PPE such as eye and face, head, hand, and foot protection.
Arc-rated gloves that are cut and heat-resistant are recommended when working with exposed wires, hot surfaces, or sharp materials. Choose gloves based on the amount of dexterity needed, seeing as data center electricians will likely be working with small wires and components.
Safety footwear can protect against heavy objects that may be dropped, as well as guarding against any sharp debris on the floor and offering improved grip. Safety goggles or face shields can also protect data center workers’ eyes against foreign objects or arc flash, depending on the work duties they’re performing.
You can also implement data center best practices that include PPE mandates such as wearing gloves, eye protection, and safety footwear to mitigate any risks associated with working in a data center.
Choosing the correct PPE for data centers
Selecting the right PPE for your data center will protect your workers against the various hazards they face. When it comes to arc flash protection, making the right choice can be the difference between a safe work environment and a life-threatening incident.
To help you navigate this decision, we’ve put together a four-step process specifically designed for choosing the correct arc flah PPE for data centers.
1. Conduct an arc flash risk assessment
Firstly, we advise you conduct a thorough risk assessment for your data center to fully understand exactly what PPE you need to implement.
This assessment will help you identify where and when arc flash risks are present so you can determine the level of protection required. You can either use the NFPA 70E table method, which provides predefined risk categories based on specific tasks or create a custom risk assessment tailored to your facility’s unique conditions.
2. Choose your layering approach
Once you recognize the level of risk, the next step is to determine your PPE layering approach.
You can opt for a layered arc flash PPE strategy, where multiple layers of PPE are combined to achieve the necessary protection level. This method offers flexibility, allowing you to adjust the protection level based on the specific task or area.
Alternatively, you can choose a single solution that exceeds the highest protection level required for your data center. This approach simplifies the process and reduces the risk of human error by providing a consistent level of protection without the need for multiple garments.
3. Choose your garments
With your layering strategy now in place, you can choose the most suitable garments. When choosing your PPE clothing, ensure these garments comply with the relevant arc flash safety standards for your location.
In the US, look for compliance with ASTM 1506, as referenced in OSHA 1910.269, NFPA 70E, and CSA Z462. For Europe and the UK, this means adhering to IEC 61482-1-2 Class 1 or 2 and IEC 61482-1-1 standards.
Make sure you choose clothing made from inherent fabrics or fibers, which offer permanent protection that won’t wash out or degrade over time. This guarantees the longevity of your garments, ensuring they will protect against arc flashes throughout their lifespan.
4. Ensure you have suitable head, hands, face, and feet protection
Finally, after you have chosen your garments, it’s time to accessorize with protective equipment for your head, hands, face, and feet.
Depending on the specific tasks and risk levels, this may include arc-rated gloves, helmets, face shields, and safety footwear. These accessory items are critical for protecting against arc flashes, ensuring every part of your workers’ bodies are protected.
Maximizing data center safety with the right PPE
Choosing the right PPE for your data center is about more than just compliance — it’s about protecting your people.
Following a systematic approach that starts with a thorough risk assessment, including arc flash risks, will ensure you create a safer work environment. Whether you choose a layered approach or a single solution for PPE, ensure all garments meet the relevant safety standards.
Prioritizing the correct PPE and ensuring your workers adhere to PPE best practices will help protect them against electrical, thermal, environmental, and mechanical risks, leading to a safer work environment for all.
