I apologize if this issue has been covered previously in the forum, I cannot find it using the search function. If it has been covered can someone suggest key words to search on?

Here is the problem:

1) The equipment in question is considered "Extremely Dangerous" because the worst case IE is greater than the rating of our highest-rated PPE (>40cal/cm2).
2) The equipment is de-energized to do work.
3) Organizational procedures require that an electrically safe work condition be established per 70E section 120.1(5), the section that requires direct measurement to verify dead.
4) Shock and arc flash PPE are required until an electrically safe work condition is established, yet there is no adequate PPE for the hazard.

What steps do you and your organization take to handle this situation?

We would visually verify, if possible, that the switch is opened. Wearing our Cat 4 suits our techs first use a proximity meter to check for voltage on the cable feeding device. If both of these methods are successfull then we open the cabinet and use a contact meter to verify absence of voltage. If this doesn't work, then you might want to put the feeding breaker into a maintenance mode in order to lower the IE.

That first step of visual verification that the switch is open is something that I had not thought of, even though it's obvious now that you said it. Thanks cbauer.