Page 32 - Occupational Health & Safety, March 2017

PROTECTIVE APPAREL
B e y o n d C o m p l i a n c e : S p e c i f y i n g R e l i a b l e EF l a m e R e s i s t a n t W o r k w e a r
Know what you are truly buying: The AR/FR fabric in workwear is the single largest factor in determining the garment’s protection level, comfort, and overall value.
BY SCOTT FRANCIS
very day, workers in electrical maintenance, utility, oil and gas, petrochemical, and steel industries work in hazardous environments. Unexpected and highly dangerous arc flash
and flash fire events can occur without warning and may result in severe or fatal burn injuries.
In the United States, there are an estimated five to 10 arc flash explosions every day in electrical equip- ment.1 Include the inherent danger of working around highly flammable materials, such as those within oil and gas industries, and the need for effective personal protective equipment (PPE) through flame resistant (FR) apparel cannot be ignored.
Moreover, non-FR workwear exacerbates severe burn injuries. Non-FR clothing can ignite and will continue to burn even after the source of ignition has been removed, adversely causing more serious burns to skin covered with clothing.
Flame resistant fabrics are uniquely engineered to self-extinguish and reduce burn injuries. Specifying fabrics for your PPE program from trusted suppliers for everyday wear is critical to protect yourself, and your employees, against potential arc flash and flash fire burn injuries.
However, not all FR garments are created equal. The quality of fabric is the most important aspect of a garment when it comes to FR apparel. This ar- ticle explores why you should look beyond indus- try standards to specify FR fabrics to adequately protect workers from dangerous arc flash and flash fire hazards.
Industry Hazards and Protective Standards
Electrical arc flash and flash fire hazards prove the critical need for effective protective apparel to be worn every day by industrial workers. Electrical maintenance and utility workers uniquely face risks of electrical arc flashes, while workers in oil and gas industries must be prepared against unanticipated flash fires.
Arc Flash
Arc flashes are electrical explosions or discharges that travel through the air between conductors or from a conductor to ground. These arcs can reach upwards of 35,000 degrees in temperature, resulting in significant and severe burns, among other injuries.2
The National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC) re- quires companies to perform a hazard risk analysis for employees who work on or near energized parts of equipment. If the assessment determines that pres- ent energies exceed 2 cal/cm2, then workers shall wear protective, arc rated (AR)/FR clothing with a proven arc rating equal to or greater than the anticipated level of energy.
28 Occupational Health & Safety | MARCH 2017
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