TedN wrote:
I may have been under the false impression that the boundary only comes into play when you have exposed energized parts or when interacting with equipment that can create an added risk, such as opening or closing breakers, even when the energized parts are enclosed.
This part of your post is correct. Just being in the Arc Flash Boundary when no work, hazard or anything else cited in NFPA 70E is occurring does not require PPE. This is a common question and an example that I often use is a hospital corridor. Typically in hospitals (and many other buildings), panels are located in the corridor / hallway. With the mechanics interpretation, patients could not be wheeled down the hall way unless wearing PPE.
It is great the mechanic is aware of arc flash, PPE and the hazards but unless he/she is in the Arc Flash Boundary
AND there are exposed energized conductors/parts or interaction that could possibly result in an arc flash, they does not need arc flash PPE.
