During the last few years, there has been much progress in understanding the nature of electric arc accidents and their potential impact on nearby workers. Many thousands of workers are potentially at risk, including those who work in industrial environments such as chemical plants and oil refineries, as well those who work more obviously with electricity in utilities etc. While the removal of risk itself must always be the prime goal, the role of adequate personal protective equipment in providing protection from involuntary arc incidents cannot be overlooked.