Page 37 - Occupational Health & Safety, March 2019

the world. Some people focus on the brand of apparel, while others like a certain style (western, athletic, fashion, etc.) or certain colors, or a specific fit. Whichever their prime motivation, everyone likes some control over such decisions and is much happier and more comfortable (and more likely to regularly wear their PPE properly and to care for it well), when they can choose what to buy each year and what to wear each day.
The Impact of Branding
Branding is a huge force in marketing apparel and generating owner satisfaction. And in the last several years, there has been an enormous expansion of brand-name FR apparel. Classic work brands such as Carhartt and major FR brands such as Bulwark and Tyndale have dramatically expanded their lines, while life- style brands such as Wrangler, Ariat, and others have made a big impact in the market with stylish FR clothing. Embroidery and other style features are so mainstream on many of these products that they cross over.
The safety director of a large petrochemical facility in Louisiana humorously referred to a segment of these new clothing options as “Saturday Night Jeans.” Brand names drive apparel sales, and sud- denly the FR clothing market is enjoying the look and feel of popu- lar lifestyle brands from the non-FR world. For those with access, this has already had an enormous positive effect on worker comfort and satisfaction. Safety gets a boost, as well, due to the willingness to consistently wear PPE.
The Role of Style in Garment Selection
Style is another important variable in choice. Until recently, the vast majority of FRC could best be labeled “workwear” and of- ten wasn’t something people were happy to wear away from the job. Modern American society has most of us running personal errands on the way to and from work: taking kids to and from school or sports practice, going to the store, hitting a pub or res- taurant, or participating in myriad other events. Thus, it’s more important than ever to feel comfortable wearing and being seen in “work” clothing away from work.
Style options have exploded, perhaps even more than brands. In addition to the traditional workwear, there are robust offer- ings in business casual, Western, equine, sports, tech/outdoor, tactical, and (for lack of a better term) “Saturday Night Jeans.” There are stylish 1⁄4 zips, fleeces, pullovers, hoodies, and more. And there are several new lines of FRC for women, designed from the ground up to fit the female body and style preferences, rather than just making smaller versions of men’s garments. If it’s a pop- ular style in non-FR, chances are good that it’s now available in FRC. In a world where you can finally have off-the-clock brands, style, and comfort, plus on-the-clock protection and durability, who wouldn’t want both?
Greater Comfort Through Technology
Fiber and fabric technology have contributed to the boom in com- fortable FRC, as well. Conventional wisdom had been that flame- resistant and arc-rated fabrics are heavier and often stiffer and less breathable than their non-FR counterparts. That worldview is no longer accurate. Each of the six major American FR textile produc- ers has recently released new fabrics with significant innovations,
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