Tragic deaths from occurrences in industries such as oil and gas, fire service, and even education, not only have devastating outcomes but significant financial costs to the organizations. With frequent onsite Field worker accidents and growing concern over lab safety in schools, it’s no wonder flame-resistant (FR) clothing has literally become a “hot topic” issue. The reason to invest in FR clothing is simple: it saves lives. But do you know what to look for when making your FR purchase?
To help kick through the clutter and get down to what matters, Workrite Uniform presents the “Top 10 Things to Consider When Buying FR Clothing.” Read on to learn how you can make sure your FR clothing is working as hard as you.
TOP 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING FR CLOTHING:
1. PROTECTION
Your FR clothing should offer the correct level of protection against your hazard, whether it be electric arc, flash fire or molten metal splatter.
2. GUARANTEE
Protection of your FR clothing should be guaranteed for the life of the garment.
3. MEETS STANDARDS
Your FR clothing should meet or exceed safety and performance standards, such as ASTM F1506 and NFPA 2112.
4. COMFORT
Your FR clothing should be comfortable to wear (soft, smooth, supple, fit well) and doesn’t interfere with job performance standards.
5. MANAGES MOISTURE
Your FR clothing should provide moisture control, with sweat-wicking and fast-drying properties.
6. RETAINS FIT
Your FR clothing should have a good level of fit retention with low shrinkage rates when laundered.
7. DURABLE FABRIC
Your FR clothing should be made with durable fabric that is both strong and resists abrasion.
8. GARMENT STRENGTH
Your FR clothing should be built to last, including strong seams and reinforcement in high-stress areas.
9. RETAINS COLOR
The color of your FR garments should have good retention after laundering.
10. SUPPORT
Whether you have questions, concerns or feedback on your FR clothing, the company should be equipped as an FR resource with friendly, available, expert staff ready to support all of your FR needs.
All FR products have a balance of properties, including protection, cost, comfort, appearance, color selection and wear life. Each company should select the product that provides the best protection for its specific workplace hazards. Learn more at www.workrite.com.
