Tag: Protecting Workers

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.