Page 58 - Occupational Health & Safety, July/August 2019

The future
of work:
where people matter.
The working world has never experienced such dynamic change. As the world’s No. 1 trade show for the sector, A+A offers the best possible over- view of developments in occupational health and safety. Around 1,900 exhibitors from more than 60 countries contribute their products, solutions and ideas to making work safer, healthier and more efficient.
Because: PEOPLE MATTER.
5 - 8 NOVEMBER 2019 DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY
AplusA-online.com
For show information: Messe Düsseldorf North America Tel. (312) 781-5180 _ info@mdna.com www.mdna.com For hotel and travel arrangements: TTI Travel, Inc. Tel. (866) 674-3476 _ info@ttitravel.net
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Circle 1 on card.
with FR clothing on the market today. Be sure to check that any insect repellents making the claim they are “safe for use on FR clothing” meet the applicable ASTM standard requirements, such as ASTM F1506 tested via method ASTM D6413 on spray- exposed FR fabric.
Misconception #4: It does not matter what kind of base layer I wear underneath an AR/FR garment.
In Reality: A base layer can be helpful in keeping a worker cool; however, not all base layers can be worn underneath AR/FR gar- ments. In fact, many popular, non-FR base layers, which incorpo- rate manmade fibers such as acetate, nylon, polypropylene, and spandex, cannot be worn because they present an additional haz- ard if exposed to an arc flash or flash fire.
Consider: These manmade fibers, when exposed to the extreme heat of an arc flash or flash fire, will melt and severely damage the skin. In order to comply with consensus standards such as NFPA 70E or NFPA 2113, base layers, too, must meet certain criteria. NFPA 70E states that natural—defined as flammable but non- melting—textiles may be used if appropriate arc-rated garments cover the non-FR base layers to prohibit ignition, while NFPA 2113 requires base layers to be made of flame resistant or non-melting fabrics altogether. With AR/FR fabric advancements, it is possible to source a comfortable, performance-driven base layer that is also appropriate for flash fire or arc flash protection.
Misconception #5: No matter the task at hand, wearing an AR/FR garment will provide the
protection I need.
In Reality: As directed by the hierarchy of risk controls, personal protective equipment (PPE) should be the final defensive layer once appropriate steps are taken toward elimination, substitution, and engineering and administrative control measures. PPE cannot and should not be used as the only form of protection, nor is it an unbeatable barrier.
Consider: AR/FR garments, part of many PPE programs, are secondary PPE designed to help shield a worker from short-du- ration thermal hazards such as flash fire and arc flash. These gar- ments are not suits of armor, so they cannot block a thermal haz- ard indefinitely. If you are looking at arc flash protection, varying incident energies or PPE categories exist under different electrical working conditions. So while AR/FR garments can provide arc flash protection, confirm the garment provides the appropriate arc rating for the task at hand. Make sure the arc rating of the garment or layered arc rating of layered clothing system is higher than the incident energy or meets the PPE Category of the spe- cific electrical task.
It is easy to assume your PPE program is ready for the summer months, but armed with these best practice considerations, you can help refine and sharpen your company’s safety protocols to clear up common misconceptions and best protect your workers.
Scott Francis is the Technical Manager for Westex by Milliken. In- volved in the safety industry since 1991, he has extensive experience with protective apparel fabrics and apparel programs. He participates in a number of industry organizations and frequently addresses trade associations regarding relevant safety topics.
www.ohsonline.com
PROTECTIVE APPAREL
2019-06-19 A+A 2019_USA_Allgemein_82,55 x 247,65 mm_OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY_4c_7191