Will skipping PPE once really hurt?” is not an uncommon question, but the answer is yes. They are there for a reason, and even if it takes a little extra time or is not always comfortable, it keeps you safe because danger can crop up at any time. Every year, several accidents and fatalities take place among people working with electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. However, wearing PPE like flame-resistant clothing (FR Clothing in short) can absorb a lot of heat (pun intended) and keep workers safe.
A number of standards and regulations are in place in countries all over the world to ensure that protective clothing is used in electrical work. For example, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) mandates that employers assess their workplace and ensure that the workers have access to PPE clothing. There are also other regulations, such as NFPA 2112, which spell out the minimum performance requirements for flame-resistant components and fabrics. It also specifies the garment design requirements for protective layering used in environments that are prone to flash fire.
There is no doubt about the fact that safe work practices are the first line of defense always. But FR clothing helps minimize the chances of burn injuries and other hazards by providing insulation against heat. Also, they can self-extinguishing and resist ignition. However, to secure these benefits, it is important that your workers are wearing the correct apparel and in the correct manner.
An arc shirt won’t help if the sleeves are not rolled up. Now there could be many reasons why that was the case: maybe it was inconvenient, or the appearance felt off. But PPE is primarily for protection. Also, if you know what you are looking for, then you can definitely find the perfect fit. As a result of constant innovations in FR fabrics and manufacturing techniques, you can easily get apparels that are comfortable to wear. With lightweight fabrics, breathable, and moisture management, FR clothing now offers the maximum level of ease and convenience while still providing protection and safety.
Besides comfortable and breathable fabrics, these factors should also be borne in mind. For example, action backs on coveralls make it easy to move, whereas shirttails keep the shirts tucked in a while bending or reaching. As far as pants are concerned, you should go for ones with ample storage space and wide-leg cuts to fit the boots.
Of course, you will be selecting uniforms for workers en masse, but there should still be space for individual preferences. Also, irrespective of gender, FR clothing should not be too tight to make movement difficult or too baggy, which compromises weight.
Not having the right kind of FR garments will result in workers either not wearing any or wearing them incorrectly. For example, if you wear shirts with sleeves rolled up or pants that do not cover the whole of your legs, you will be vulnerable to accidents. Many a worker has learned this lesson the hard way. Foregoing protective outer clothing can also be costly for your company, with fines, compensations, and reputational damage.
But your workers will definitely wear their protective flame-resistant clothing if they are comfortable as well as look and feel good. And as the last line of defense, sometimes separating life from death, it is all the more important to invest in good quality clothing that allows them comfort, protection, and style.
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