Page 35 - Occupational Health & Safety, March 2018

or other changes, the best way to maximize convenience and, therefore, compliance, is to make sure that the necessary PPE is accessible and easy to use. Whenever possible, it is also a good idea to try to reduce the number of separate PPE items necessary for proper protection.
Multi-Hazard Makes a Difference
One way to reduce the quantity of PPE components that employ- ees will need is to choose products that offer multi-hazard protec- tion. According to Frost and Sullivan’s North American Industrial Protective Clothing Market Forecast to 2020, apparel with multiple protective functionalities is becoming increasingly popular. This isn’t surprising, considering that many occupations involve more than one hazard.
Consider an environment that faces both chemical-splash haz- ards and thermal hazards, such as arc flash and flash fire. This exact scenario can be found in many laboratories, chemical-processing plants, pharmaceutical companies, and manufacturing facilities where paints, cleaners, coatings, batteries, agricultural chemicals, or LEDs are used. Until recently, workers in these environments would have needed both an FR garment and a garment that pro- tects against chemical splash. But now, protection against these two hazards can be found in lab coats and coveralls that offer FR properties combined with chemical-splash protection (CP). Not only do these FR/CP products provide multi-hazard protection,
but they are also comfortable and designed to be worn as all-day attire—all of which supports increased wearer compliance.
Multi-hazard protection extends beyond FR/CP products as well. For example, some products offer simultaneous protection against flash fire, arc flash, and molten metal splatter. Other prod- ucts combine high visibility with FR protection. When evaluating your multi-hazard protection options, be sure to consult all of the safety standards that apply to your industry to ensure the items you choose offer the necessary level of protection.
Inspiring wearer compliance is far from an exact science, but optimizing comfort and convenience can go a long way toward en- couraging proper PPE use. And with recent innovations, such as multi-hazard protection products, finding PPE that employees will want to wear is easier than ever.
Mark Saner is the technical manager for Workrite Uniform Com- pany, a position he has held since he joined the company in 2006. He brings 40 years of experience in the fire and safety industries to his work, including 29 years in technical support, safety standards, and product development for Akron Brass Manufacturing Company. He participates as a voting member within a number of national and international safety organizations to help develop, revise, influence, and further improve standards for worker safety. For questions relat- ed to safety requirements, product performance, and industry stan- dards, contact him at 1-800-521-1888 or visit www.workrite.com.
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MARCH 2018 | Occupational Health & Safety 29
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