While protecting against a hazard is your first and most obvious concern when choosing protective clothing, it might be just as important to consider the environment. If workers are uncomfortable, they can be tempted to cut corners on safety.
Producing flame-resistant (FR) fabrics dates back to around 450 B.C. when textiles made from asbestos, which was known to have fire-resistant properties, were used to wrap the bodies of the deceased before they were placed on funeral pyres.
Petroleum refineries are laden with various thermal and chemical hazards. Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) is instrumental in providing a safe work environment for employees to complete the task at hand.
Workplace burn injury and fatalities are frequently the result of the worker’s clothes catching on fire from two primary workplace hazards: flash fire and electric arc flash also referred to as “thermal incidents.”
With warmer weather comes an increased risk of heat stress. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015 alone, exposure to environmental heat led to 37 work-related deaths and another 2,830 injuries and illnesses that involved days away from work.
FR apparel today is more stylish, functional and performance-driven. Workers transition from work to date night, working out, doing chores around the house in their FR clothing and they want to look good. They also demand performance.
Private sector companies could take a few lessons from the U.S. Navy when it comes to implementing and managing their flame resistant (FR) clothing programs. Earlier this year, the Navy announced a new piece of FR apparel for sailors stationed aboard ships and submarines.
OSHA considers garments to be PPE, according to OSHA Regulation 29 CFR, 1926.95(a). Additionally, a letter from the Director of the OSHA Directorate of Construction details regulations in which employers must comply with laundering standards.
Other than high voltage shock, an arc flash and blast event is one of the most horrific electrical accidents a person can experience. When an arc flash occurs, temperatures in arc plasma can reach up to 10,000˚F.
If your workers face short-term thermal exposure from fire, you should research the 2018 edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®) 2112 standard.
