According to NFPA 70E, when are leather protectors required over rubber gloves?

The requirement for wearing leather protectors over rubber gloves is specifically outlined for situations where insulating rubber gloves are being used for shock protection. This combination serves to enhance safety by providing an additional layer of protection. The leather protectors are designed to guard against physical hazards such as cuts, abrasions, and punctures, which might compromise the integrity of the insulating rubber gloves.

This practice is essential when there is a risk of mechanical damage, ensuring that the protective equipment remains effective in preventing electrical shock. The leather protectors do not provide insulating properties but do protect the rubber gloves from external damage that could lead to a safety failure.

While the presence of moisture or wet conditions certainly increases risk, leather protectors are specifically required under the guidelines that deal with the integrity and safety of shock-protective gear, rather than simply as a reaction to environmental factors. The other options may not adequately cover the necessary conditions that warrant the use of leather protectors in conjunction with rubber gloves.