The ASTM F18 Committee currently has jurisdiction over more than 38 standards and plays a critical role in the protection of electrical workers. The F18 committee meets twice a year to review and revise the standards. There are 300 members and numerous subcommittees.
The last ASTM F18 meeting was held from April 8 to April 10, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The F18 main committee and subcommittees held many meetings over that period to discuss updates, recommended actions, and ballots. Twenty-five new members were welcomed during the spring meeting.
SPRING DISCUSSION ITEMS
ASTM F2677
ASTM F2677, Standard Specification for Electrically Insulated Aprons was reapproved. The current edition is now F2677-08a (2024).
ASTM F496-23
A ballot was passed that provides clarity on Section 7.1 of ASTM F496-23, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves. The update will clarify the retest requirements for rubber insulating gloves and the intent behind the statement about being issued for service. Testing on the arc rating of rubber insulating sleeves is still on track to begin in mid-2024.
ASTM D120-09
The Composite Rubber Insulating Gloves Task Group has determined that D120, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves can be revised to include the appropriate details on composite rubber insulating gloves, which will be available in North America soon. They will be of interest to industry since they include mechanical protection and can be used without protectors.
ASTM F696-24
An ASTM F696-24, Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves revision added some clarity on the purpose of leather protectors and the lack of electrical protection with leather protectors.
ASTM D1048-24
ASTM D1048-24, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Blankets has been revised to include a new type of rubber insulation blanket: Type III ozone resistant.
ASTM F2677-24
A new standard, ASTM F2677-24, Standard Specification for Insulating Live Line Ladders was approved and released and is now available.
ASTM F1959/1959M-24a
ASTM F1959/1959M-24a, Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing has been released. The update included changes to arc rating:
- Arc rating can now be expressed as ATPV, EBT, or ARLIM.
- The definition for ARLIM is the maximum arc thermal energy protection that has been assigned to the product based on the manufacturer’s specifications after verification with testing or limits of detection of the test method.
ASTM F1117-03
ASTM F1117-03 (2019), Standard Specification for Dielectric Footwear will be undergoing a revision. Ballots and voting on the revision will occur during the upcoming fall meeting. Work will also be done on an in-service guide,
UPCOMING ASTM F18 EVENTS
The next ASTM F18 meeting will be held in Orlando, Florida, in October 2024.
Virginia Balitski, CET, Manager – Training and Development has worked for Magna IV Engineering since 2006. Virginia started her career as a Field Service Technologist and achieved NETA Level 4 Senior Technician certification. She has since dedicated her time to the advancement of training and safety in the electrical industry. She is a Certified Engineering Technologist through ASET – The Association of Science & Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta. Virginia is the current Vice-Chair of the CSA Z462 Workplace Electrical Safety Committee and is a member of the NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace Technical Committee. She serves on NETA’s Board of Directors, is involved with many NETA committees, and represents NETA on the ASTM F18 Committee.