The prospective incident energy used to define PPE requirements is based on the worker’s chest and head being a fixed distance away from the arc known as the working distance. Both NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 reference this distance.

Here is this week’s question:

Do you (people you know) maintain the correct working distance when performing energized work?

• Yes
• No
• We Try - not always possible
• We don't perform energized work

It would seem the correct working distance is something the engineer chooses when performing a study and determining energy for PPE at that distance, and not something a tradesman has much discretion over. It is understood that if PPE is chosen for 18" distance and one's hands are closer than that; the protection may not be sufficient.

I don't have the reference at hand, but I believe the working distance is for face/torso/neck.