Month: March 2021
Why Wearing High Visibility Jacket At Work Is Of Paramount Importance To Worker’s Safety?
A safety vest or high visibility jacket is an essential supplement for anyone taking part in industrial activities. Hi-vis vests/jackets are the safety gear necessary to make personnel visible to other people, especially when they are working along roads or other places.
For workers who work in the construction environment, activity-specific safety vests provide the highest levels of safety. Since high visibility work jackets are designed to keep the wearer clearly in view, the manufacturers make abundant use of colors while making these jackets so that they can always be seen & glow in the dark. For example, fluorescent colors such as orange, green, and yellow make it easier for workers to see & locate one another even in dim lighting conditions. Also, for workers working at night (which significantly increases the potential hazards), these hi-vis jackets act as light sources that make their vest or the stripes on the vest glow for higher visibility.
Here’s why wearing a high visibility jacket at work is of paramount importance to worker’s safety.
Construction Activities
At the construction worksites, the visibility of workers is pertinent to their safety. Construction workers typically wear clothing items with a variety of fluorescent colors such as orange, yellow or green. These clothing can be construction safety vests, shirts or work jackets. These garments provide an easy way to identify workers & their location within a construction site.
Traffic Activities
Safety work jackets used around traffic signals are all reflective in nature. These traffic safety hi-vis vests commonly have a zippered front closure & are available in a solid material. These hi-vis vests/jackets are massively put to use in congested areas that have high traffic volume.
Water-Related Activities
A safety jacket also provides high visibility during water activities that may even have lifesaving capabilities. During rainfall, when the normal visibility usually drops, wearing highway safety vests/jackets designed for high visibility are considered to be essential in rainy conditions.
Useful in Extreme Weather Conditions
If you work in a climate that gets extremely cold during winters yet very warm in summers, a hi-vis safety jacket expands when you are required to wear heavy outer clothing & contracts for lightweight summer workwear. And if in case you need to work in a situation that poses a potential fire risk, you’re safer with a heavy-duty safety jacket.
Overall Safety
Last but most important, High-visibility work jackets/vests are often the first & the only thing that can keep a worker visible in working conditions with less than pre-requisite lighting. For instance, drivers & equipment operators may not always have the time to stop & check for other workers in that area. Wearing a high-visibility jacket/vest enables them to remain aware of personnel that may be in the vicinity & in imminent danger of being hit by the vehicles or equipment. Thus, they’re able to avoid running over other co-workers, preventing potential accidents & saving lives. These days many hi-vis jackets come with logos printed on the back. These logos help individual crew members distinguish themselves or their identity from workers of other companies. Additionally, they increase the public awareness of the company as well as their presence in the market. Therefore, an employer should educate & inform their employees about the various tips of using high visibility safety jackets to cultivate protective safety wear usage.
Final Word
High visibility safety jacket acts as the first line of defense for employees against certain work hazards, enabling them to carry out their duties diligently & securely. In this way, accidents are significantly reduced & workplace safety is effectively maintained!
6 FAQs About Flame-Resistant Clothing
There has always been a lot of nuances & requirements when it comes to FR clothing. Maybe you’re about to start a new job & you’ve been told you’ll need to wear flame-resistant (FR) clothing. Whatever the case is, you suddenly have reason to be curious & ask — what exactly is flame-resistant workwear clothing?
In this article, we’ll discuss the most frequently asked questions about flame-resistant workwear clothing.
What is flame-resistant clothing?
Flame-resistant clothing, also known as FR clothing, refers to any clothing item which is designed & specifically manufactured to protect wearers from the potential intermittent flames & thermal exposure. FR workwear clothing is engineered to protect the wearer from injuries due to flames. These clothing items don’t easily catch fire, and even if they do, they are designed to self-extinguish.
Who needs to wear flame-resistant clothing?
Any employee who works in environments where there are possibilities of heat, fire or electrical injuries, the odds are good they should be wearing FR clothing. Typically, there are three broad categories of workers who should wear FR clothing for protection. These categories are based on the type of hazard the worker will be exposed to while working. The three primary hazards are:
Electric arc: People exposed to this hazard include electricians and certain utility workers & others.
Flashfire: This category includes pharmaceutical & chemical workers and those working in refineries & more.
Combustible dust: This category covers workers in food processing plants, the paper & pulp industry, etc.
What is the difference between “flame resistant” clothing & “fire retardant” clothing?
Flame resistant materials & clothing doesn’t melt or drip when exposed directly to flames or extreme heat. The vertical flame test is the official test method that determines whether a fabric is flame resistant or not. For a fabric to be classified as flame resistant, it must self-extinguish in 2 seconds or less after exposure to direct flame. Flame resistant fabric gains its self-extinguishing properties either from the use of inherently flame-resistant fibres or from flame resistant treatments.
Flame retardant material, on the other hand, stops or slows down the process of catching fire or reduces its intensity. These fabrics or clothing can be made from any material, but they must be treated with a special chemical to qualify as a flame retardant. Fabrics used for making this clothing are not made with non-flammable fibres.
What makes FR clothing flame resistant?
Flame resistant refers to FR clothing, which is made to self-extinguish when the flame source is removed from the clothing article. FR clothing is typically manufactured with fabrics with unique properties that prevent the clothing from melting, igniting, or dripping when exposed to an open flame; this reduces burn injuries to its wearers.
How to choose the right FR clothing?
The “best practice” for selecting FR clothing include:
- Your FR workwear clothing selection must be based on the probable worst-case exposure for the job/task.
- FR clothing should provide a good functional fit for protection as well as comfort.
- Sleeve cuffs of your clothing should be fully rolled down & secured.
- All garments, including outerwear, need to be fully fastened.
- FR clothing should be free from flammable contaminants such as oil or grease that can ignite & increase burn injury.
- Appropriate protective face, head, neck, eye, hand, & foot coverings should be worn.
Do we really need FR clothing?
OSHA mandates FR clothing & its usage, and the organization won’t hesitate to hand out fines to any company it finds to be outside of compliance with the regulations.
In addition to protecting workers, FR clothing also serves as a handy insurance policy for your business if in case an accident occurs. While it is certainly expensive for your company to outfit its workers in appropriate gears, it will be even more expensive for them if a worker is severely injured/burned. The cost of things such as workers’ compensation, training temporary replacement workers & other related expenses typically far outweigh the cost of protecting workers in the first place.
Therefore, all this goes to prove even if it weren’t for OSHA regulations, it is better for businesses to rather outfit their employees correctly than be forced to deal with onsite accidents or injuries!
We hope this information will help you make an educated choice when it comes to FR clothing!
Tips for Protecting Workers in the Oil & Gas Industry
Growth & expansion in the oil & gas industry has led business organizations to increase operations & take on more projects; this has led to increased demand for skilled workers. Workers working in the oil & gas industry are often at higher risk of on-the-job injuries. But oil & gas companies that take steps to protect employees helps to prevent accidents, increase retention rates & lower worker’s compensation costs.
Oil & gas work, by nature, is dangerous, and while efforts are constantly being made to reduce the risks of fires & explosions, it still presents a significant hazard. In this article, we will see how you can protect workers in the oil & gas industry.
Why FR Clothing matters in the Oil & Gas industry?
Burn injuries do occur in the Oil & Gas industry & the consequences can be severe. Along with this tragedy of serious injury or death, burn injuries can cost a company millions of dollars in OSHA fines, legal costs, hospital fees, increased insurance premiums, reputation damage & lost productivity.
Preventing fires & explosions from occurring is always better than trying to mitigate the damage afterwards. And the first step toward avoiding workplace injuries should always be following safe work practices. However, even if you’ve taken proper precautions, it is important to be prepared for an accident. This implies that wearing proper flame-resistant (FR) clothing on the job is essential!
Read on to see things you must take into consideration while selecting FR clothing to protect workers in the Oil & Gas industry.
Safety
The first thing that you must consider while selecting FR clothing should always be safety. OSHA requires employers to identify risks & protect employees from hazards in the workplace. This includes ensuring each worker has proper personal protective equipment (PPE). On various occasions, OSHA has used this regulation as the basis for citations when workers have suffered burn injuries & the employer did not require FR protective clothing. To comply with OSHA regulations & to keep employees safe from harm, it is important to identify the types of hazards your workers might encounter on the job & ensure that the flame-resistant apparel you choose must be designed to address those hazards.
Comfort
Along with protection, comfort is another important aspect that you must take into consideration while selecting FR workwear clothing. If your workers are uncomfortable in their FR clothing, they may not wear it consistently or appropriately; this can detract from the safety benefits.
For the maximum possible comfort, it is important to provide your workers with correctly sized garments. This implies that you must consider ordering non-stock sizes or seeking garments that are designed specifically for women. Additionally, you would want to choose garments that enable the greatest possible ease of movement to enhance comfort & support job performance. It is also helpful to choose products that are appropriate according to the temperature & weather conditions. Thus, choose fabric types that balance proper protection along with comfort considerations such as breathability, weight, warmth, and moisture-wicking.
Durability
Finally, beyond protection & comfort, you must also consider the durability & long-term value of your FR clothing. While you may find certain lower-quality options less expensive initially, but they may need replacement more frequently due to excess shrinkage or poor durability; this results in higher overall costs in the long run. Also, keep in mind that FR workwear clothing that has holes, rips, or worn-out areas may not provide adequate protection, thus compromising the wearer’s safety. Therefore, to maximize protection while achieving the best possible value, choose FR clothing that is made with high-quality fabrics & manufactured with durability in mind. Choose workwear clothing that is made by trusted manufacturers, and look for features that add to its durability.
Ending Note
In the Oil & Gas industry, burn injuries can have devastating consequences. But with safe work practices & implementing an effective FR workwear clothing program, you can significantly reduce the likelihood that a serious injury will occur.
All about the Types of Safety Clothing Construction Workers Wear
Whenever we think of construction workers, we imagine them wearing their yellow hard hats & reflective vests, but there’s a lot more to their clothing than that.
Construction workers typically wear functional work pant with plenty of accessible pockets, work boots with toe & slip protection, and a work shirt as per the climate. Also, it is imperative for them to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet certain safety standards. Besides PPE, the type of clothing a construction worker wear can also contribute to their overall safety & can significantly impact how functional they are on a construction site.
Let’s take a closer look at the types of safety clothing construction workers wear.
Work Pants
The pants that are worn by construction workers typically vary from job to job & climate to climate. Of course, all workwear pants need to be tough enough to handle a worksite. Here are some common types of work pants you might see at a construction site:
Canvas Work Pants – These work pants are heavy-duty & durable. They can stand up to a worksite but can also be stiff & hot.
Cargo Pants – These pants come with extra pockets. Construction workers who prefer to maximize pockets usually turn to work cargo pants. Extra pockets can make a worker’s life much easier.
Ripstop Pants – Some workers don’t like wearing heavy-duty canvas duck cotton pants as they find them too stiff & warm. But the problem is, they still need something durable. So, these workers often turn to ripstop pants as they are made with the material, which helps prevent tears.
Flex Pants – These pants have become very popular over the past few years. Many construction workers like heavy-duty work pants with a bit of stretch. These pants are made with a combination of cotton and spandex, but still, they need toughness to stand up on the construction site.
Work Shirts
Work shirts can vary a lot, depending on the job. Some worksites require high visibility shirts, while some jobs may require flame-resistant material or some other types of safety shirt. But in general, outside of these requirements, some workers just wear basic shirts that are appropriate for the climate.
Some construction workers may prefer a button-front shirt with a chest pocket & a pencil pocket. However, the most significant factor that impacts the type of work shirt worn by a construction worker is the weather.
Hot Weather – Some work shirts are lightweight, moisture-wicking, and may even have cooling properties.
Cold Weather – Many construction workers, wear a base layer when the weather turns extremely cold. This base layer helps to trap heat but don’t add much weight or make them feel bulky.
Work Jacket
Workwear jackets are essential for construction workers, especially during winters. These workwear jackets are not just durable but functional as well. Of course, certain jobs may require flame-resistant jackets or other types of safety jackets.
Most workwear jackets are made with duck cotton canvas fabric that provides toughness and features both internal & external pockets. Some types of jackets that a construction worker might wear include:
Duck Canvas – It is quite common to see workwear jackets that use the durable canvas outer shell. Some workers even opt for a pre-washed shell that gives it a more broken-in feeling on the first wear.
Hooded – Not all work jackets come with a hood, but a hooded jacket is critical for some climates.
Shirt Jackets – Some workers prefer a lighter-weight jacket for mild temperatures. Thus, you may find many workers wearing a canvas shirt jacket, while others may turn to a hooded flannel shirt jacket. This typically depends upon how heavy-duty the worker needs the jacket to be.
Equipped with all this information about the types of safety clothing construction workers wear, hopefully, you are now in a better position to buy the right safety clothing as per your job’s requirement!
Understanding the Significance of Construction Workwear at Construction Sites
Working on a construction site can be both challenging & dangerous. Construction workers may need to work hundreds of feet above the earth, and they are often exposed to dangers from acids, radiant heat, naked flames, sparks, and heavy objects. Thus, protection from dangerous materials & flames is very crucial to be safe at every construction site.
Because at construction sites, workers are typically surrounded by heavy objects, flames, hazardous chemicals & are also exposed to loud noises; thus, safety is paramount. Almost no safety equipment is more crucial at a construction site than protective clothing. Overalls are the most common attire worn at the construction sites & are ubiquitous at well-managed sites. Just like skilled employees in different vocations have a certain dress code/uniform, so does a skilled construction worker need to have a dress code that can give them identity and protect them. A well-maintained piece of protective construction workwear clothing is a reason for pride for many workers. Read on to know more about the significance of construction workwear.
Role of Protective Clothing at Construction Sites
As mentioned above, at a construction site, protective clothing serves as an unofficial uniform/dress code for workers, yet it means to & offers excellent utility. Hence construction workers usually wear overalls not only because it protects them from a wide range of hazards but also helps them do their job well. Overalls that protect construction workers from hazards such as fire or flames are often crucial for construction sites as they are made from flame-resistant fabrics & also protect wearers from any kind of flame catching them or hot liquid spilling on them.
While safety is paramount at a construction site, workers at such sites also use various tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, spanners etc. Overalls have pockets that are specifically designed to allow workers to carry every kind of tool they need. Furthermore, these overalls also have separate pockets for other tools that workers commonly use such as protective eyewear & pens.
Other Benefits of Construction Workwear
While safety is important while working on a construction site, comfort plays a major role as well. Workers who feel comfortable can carry out their duties better. This is why overalls are ideal workwear for construction sites as they sit well on the wearer’s frame. These overalls don’t need to be tied with a belt or to be held up using suspenders.
As workers in a construction site usually spend their entire day in overalls thankfully, good overalls are elastic on the waist that expands & make a wearer comfortable. Furthermore, good quality protective clothing keeps workers relatively cool & comfortable when it’s hot or humid. Plentiful also, pockets in overalls enable workers to keep their work inventory secure. This extra comfort enables workers on construction sites to carry out their duties easily, comfortably & safely.
To See & Be Seen
When groups of workers work together on any busy construction site, they are surrounded by dangerous materials & extreme environmental hazards. It is imperative that everyone should be able to clearly see everyone else. Knowing where the other person is even in the poor light is important for workers’ safety on a construction site. High-visibility overalls come with reflective tape that brightly reflects any light that shines on them, which makes wearer visible even in poor lighting. A remarkable quality of this reflective tape is that it does not get degraded even when washed frequently.
A worksite where workers are not equipped with the right safety equipment is often poorly managed and considered unsafe. Employers who ensure that their workers have the right kind of protective clothing are more likely to lead a happy & more productive team.
Important Factors to Keep in Mind While Buying Workwear Clothing
When you work as a carpenter, construction worker, mechanic, or a commercial fisherman, you need to pay special attention to what you’re wearing to work. You need to wear clothes that not only fit you perfectly but are also made to stand the rough & tough nature of your job. So, why not spend on the premium quality workwear that provides reliable protection & won’t fall apart after a few washes or couple of weeks of work? Protective workwear clothing is arguably an essential kind of clothing around. After all, these clothing items enable you to get things done safely & comfortably. At least that’s the case when you have the right workwear uniforms.
However, if you’re confused about buying workwear, we are here to help. In this article, we have covered the most significant factors that you must keep in mind while buying workwear clothing.
Consider the Requirements of the Job/Task
A key mistake that organizations usually make is adopting a generic approach while allocating workwear & PPE, rather than actually considering the specific needs of the job at hand.
Giving hi-vis work jacket, a hard hat & some safety gloves to your workers for every task is not enough; you must always carry out a proper risk assessment & ensure that the equipment you provide truly fits for the purpose. This implies that you need to think about the specific risks your staff will be exposed to & for how long, and then invest in the protective gear that will provide comprehensive protection, from their head, body & limbs through their eyes, ears & lungs.
You must also ensure that the protective workwear clothing you purchase fits your workers comfortably & securely, as ill-fitting clothes can be less effective in providing protection and can also hinder the worker’s productivity. Additionally, ensure that any protective equipment that you’re buying can actually be used together – for example, if a pair of safety glasses might disturb the seal of a respirator, so they shouldn’t be worn at the same time.
Be Aware of the Relevant Regulations
Not all items of protective equipment are created equal. Certain regulating authorities have set strict rules in place to ensure that any protective workwear clothing used in professional circumstances is fit for the purpose, and it is important to follow these rules at all times. Thus, you should buy products that are marked approved under the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations set by the regulating authority in your area. Additionally, you must also keep abreast of changes in the legislation that might affect the PPE policies.
Therefore, to avoid falling foul of any of these laws, it is important to ensure that you buy from a trusted supplier of legally compliant Personal Protective Equipment.
Provide Appropriate Training
Not every protective workwear item is necessarily self-explanatory, so if you invest in protective equipment for your workforce, it is also important to take time to ensure that your workers are well-trained to use them. Provide proper training to your workers to instruct them on key issues such as how to securely fasten their safety harnesses, how to remove safety gloves without contaminating their skin, etc. These sessions will also allow you to explain when equipment should be used, the limitations of it, and how to use & maintain the equipment without accidentally damaging it.
Additionally, such training session gives you the opportunity to make sure that all your staff members are educated about & bought into the necessity of using protective clothing. It can be all too easy for workers to relax about using their workwear clothing, especially for shorter jobs, so taking time to teach them about why they need to use the gear can make a real difference.
Good health & safety at the workplace requires continual investment & monitoring, and PPE & workwear clothing is certainly no exception to that – so make sure that you stay on top of this!
Why is Unique Female-fit Workwear required for Women Workers?
For many organizations, corporate clothing & protective workwear clothing is a crucial consideration. There is a wide variety of garments & personal protective equipment (PPE) available in the market today. It is important to choose the right clothing for your workers that is appropriate & fits well for their role.
However, in some industries & professions, a notable difference exists between the number of males & females employed for certain roles. While women employees may dominate professions such as childcare & veterinary services, statistics show that women account for much less in the construction workforce, and considerably less particularly “on the tools” at building sites. Other sectors also show a similar imbalance; this often results in women’s workwear requirements being treated as secondary.
While these ratio differences are thought-provoking, it must be acknowledged that no matter what the ratio is, manufacturers/suppliers and employers need to understand that female worker need unique womens workwear.
Read on to understand why unique female-fit workwear is required for women workers.
Importance of women’s safety clothing for construction & safety workers
Wearing ill-fitting construction clothing is not only uncomfortable, but it can be dangerous as well. Over-sized clothing often poses a danger of snagging on equipment, getting caught in the machinery or impeding the motor function necessary to perform a task successfully.
For instance, an essential safety feature is safety glasses or protective eyewear. These safety glasses designed specifically for men may often be too large for a woman wearer. If safety glasses are not secure, the worker will have to keep readjusting while working, which can be distracting and very dangerous. Thus, women in construction works need to buy safety glasses designed specifically for women.
Women employees working in welding, on oil fields or with gas rigs are often at risk of being exposed to flames & heat in the workplace. It is important for women workers to wear properly fitting flame-resistant clothing. Flame-resistant clothing must not be loose-fitting; otherwise, they’ll be at greater risk of coming in contact with the flame. Thus, women need to wear flame-resistant clothing that is fitted and breathable, and it should meet the industry safety standards.
Why Women Need a Different Fit?
Female clothing is designed specifically for the build of a woman’s body & is typically well-fitted in areas around the waist & chest, giving them more comfort & an aesthetic fit. Some workwear garments are made from stretch fabric or are partially elasticized to provide flexibility & a more tailored fit.
Most women already struggle to find a good fit in their everyday clothing despite the availability of wide choice. However, we’re not saying that there’s a magic solution to the perfect female protective clothing & workwear. But one thing is for certain — providing women with men’s garments in smaller sizes won’t serve the purpose. Although workwear clothing has purposes other than just looking good, ill-fitting female’s workwear can look unprofessional & it may not provide the wearer with the protection it is designed for.
This is not to project that women workers are obsessed with their appearance, but looking & feeling smart & safe is a basic expectation for any staff member be it male or female. Anyone who feels uncomfortable or embarrassed about what they are wearing will not be able to perform well & are less likely to remain in the job. They may even feel discriminated, particularly if their employer seems to have made little or no effort to cater to their basic needs. Therefore, it is important to have unique female-fit workwear clothing women workers.
Ending Note
If women see that these sectors/industries are becoming consciously aware of their challenges & are actively making changes for them, they will be encouraged to make these jobs as a career choice. Of course, we cannot deny that there are issues faced by the industry other than workwear, but feeling confident & included in the workplace is a significant step to getting more women into construction and other industrial sectors.
5 Important things you should know about Workwear for Carpenters
Working as a carpenter on large projects demands a lot of knowledge, expertise & coordination. At the same time, it also places considerable demands on the workwear designed specifically for carpenters. Workwear for carpenters is designed with unique features that distinguish them from other clothing types. Workwear clothing for carpenters typically:
- Provides knee protection
- Has many pockets
- It is wear-resistant
- It is suitable for all kinds of weather.
If you are still confused as to why carpenters need specific clothing for the job, this article is for you. Here we will talk about the important things you should know about workwear carpenters, why there’s a need.
They have superior strength & durability
Carpenter workwear is both strong & durable as they are frequently worn by construction workers & carpenters, or by many of whom work laborious jobs. Constructions workers & carpenters usually prefer carpenter workwear pants over traditional jeans because of their long-lasting qualities. The carpenter workwear clothing allows these blue-collared workers to wear them for long periods comfortably. They are designed with an emphasis on strength & durability, which thereby protects them from premature wear & tear. Thus, they are considered as having superior strength & durability over other clothing types.
They come with carrying loops
When comparing traditional clothing to carpenter work pants, you’ll probably notice that the latter have loops, whereas the former doesn’t. With these loops, you can easily carry tools, as well as other small items. Professional construction workers & carpenters often use these loops to carry hammers & other tools. Rather than wearing a tool belt, you can simply slide the bottom of a hammer through the top of the carrying loop on your carpenter work pants. The head of the hammer will catch the top of the carrying loop, thereby preventing it from falling all the way through.
They have deep pockets
Not only do carpenter workwear clothing features carrying loops, but they also have exceptionally deep pockets. Carpenter clothing is specifically designed with deeper pockets than most other types of jeans or work trousers. These deep pockets allow the worker to store & carry more items at a time. Carpenter work pants/jeans have a similar pocket configuration as other types of jeans & trousers. The only difference is, instead of shallow pockets, they have deep pockets. So, even if you wear them for leisure, you can take advantage of their deep pockets.
They are easy to maintain
Carpenter workwear clothing is very easy to maintain. While you can always get them dry cleaned, this isn’t necessary. Carpenter clothing items are easily washable in machine, which implies that you can conveniently wash them in the washing machine along with your other garments. However, it is advised that you should check the care tag for specific washing instructions prior to washing your workwear clothing. These care tags provide specific instructions on how to wash, dry and otherwise maintain them. Nonetheless, you will probably discover that it is safe to clean your carpenter clothing in the washing machine.
They are comfortable
One of the significant benefits of wearing carpenter clothing is they are very comfortable. Carpenter work pants are made with softer denim than other types of jeans. They are typically made of cotton-based denim, but it is softer & gentler denim than that of other types of jeans. These clothing items are also designed to fit loosely when worn; they don’t sit tightly against your body. These pants rather have a loose, baggy construction. With their super-soft denim & loose-fitted construction, carpenter workwear clothing are incredibly comfortable to wear — even for long & extended periods.
These important features show why it is important to wear specifically designed carpenter workwear clothing for the job. As when a clothing piece makes you feel comfortable & is useful, it helps you to be more productive at your job!