Tag: Fire resistant clothes

Wearing fire-resistant clothing is a crucial factor for companies seeking to comply with industry safety regulations & voluntary performance standards. Employees working in hazardous work environments with a risk of explosions or flash fire are the most common situations where a form of fire-resistant (FR) protective clothing is required. In these work environments, workers may also experience an “arc flash” that directly or indirectly causes a garment fire, resulting in severe injury or even death.

When exposed to such situations, the type of clothing one chooses to wear can play a major role in how the situation turns out. In this article, we have stated some of the most significant reasons that make fire resistant clothing important.

It works as self-extinguisher

FR clothing helps to protect workers by self-extinguishing when they are exposed to flame. It reduces the extent of burn injuries as well as provides workers with valuable escape time. Most severe burn injuries are often caused when a worker is wearing clothes that are not fire-resistant, which may ignite & continue to burn even after the heat source has been removed. By wearing fire-resistant protective workwear, one can prevent such instances.

It reduces the severity of injuries

Whenever there’s a fire or explosion, FR workwear dramatically reduces the severity of the injuries. However, it should be noted that FR clothing does not completely eliminate the risk of burn injury. FR workwear is designed to protect the wearer as it allows them to get away from the heat source. The fabric serves of these FR clothing works as a barrier between the flash fire & skin of the victim, which reduces the level of energy transmitted onto the skin surface.

Moreover, the material of this FR workwear does not melt on the skin, as seen when you wear clothing made of or blended with synthetic materials like nylon, acetate, polyester, or polypropylene. Also, in the event of an arc flash incident, fire-resistant clothing helps to mitigate the overall extent of the injury.

Complies with industry standards

FR clothing not just protects you from fire but also enables you to comply with State & Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. According to these standards, employers need to protect their employees from hazards in the workplace. Staying compliant with these standards is vital for protecting your company’s safety record as well as its financial bottom line. Without having a proper FR program in place, you’re more likely to get into trouble as any non-compliance may lead to sanctions and various other penalties.

Improves employees morale & productivity

The most crucial aspect of any job is personal safety. When employees feel that the organization they’re working with is taking steps to protect their physical well-being by implementing an FR program, it significantly boosts their motivation, which results in higher performance. Employees working in hazardous work environments where nothing is being done for their safety tend to feel less motivated & less-efficient, which leads employers to incur thousands of dollars in lost productivity.

Ending Note

It is extremely important for employers, safety managers, and employees to understand that fire-resistant clothing serves as the last line of defense for end-users in case of flash fires & explosions. Careful consideration must be taken to ensure that the appropriate FR clothing suitable for a particular type of activity conducted by the workers is chosen, and the workers wear it properly!