Reprinted with permission from Facility
Safety Management
If meeting the standard of providing protective equipment
and safety accessories that satisfy NFPA 70E sounds a bit
complicated, imagine the complexity facing Environmental
Health and Safety (EH&S) professionals as they analyze
all available personal protective equipment (PPE) options
for their companies’ workers.
Selecting the right type of garment is no longer a simple
choice of style and price. There are choices of fabrics,
weights and more importantly, a clear understanding of the
hazard exposures requiring designed garments and safety
accessories for specialized use. Decisions must be
made whether to use protective garments that are treated
with flame retardant (FR) chemicals, which may themselves
pose certain risks if not processed correctly, or inherently
flame resistant fabrics that are molecularly resistant
to ignition.
New emphasis by OSHA on protection against electric
arc is creating additional challenges. As the results
of new studies and research become available, even more
products will be introduced and new requirements for
protecting workers will be established.
Safety, comfort and cost seem to go hand in hand where
PPE is required. Protection of employees in the workplace
is of utmost importance, which starts from the choice of
protective garments and safety accessories, to the cleaning
and processing of these garments to its mending, patching
and repair. Is it not ironic that employers go through the
expense of purchasing the required PPE, only to be processed
and repaired incorrectly at home? Unfortunately, accidents
in molten metal, radiant heat and electric arc flash do
not happen at home!
“It became obvious that as industry gained a better
understanding of workplace hazard exposures, metal splash,
extreme heat exposure and arc flash explosions, that worker
protection involved more than simple FR outer garments,”
said Merci Magari, special projects director for Protective
Apparel Team. “What was being called for was a complete
system of protection that included under garments, secondary
and primary outer garments, rainwear and accessories
including proper boots, harnesses, sleeves and other items
that would not ignite or melt. Among other exposures,
it is the melting that causes some of the more devastating
injuries.”
The emphasis on worker safety is certain to grow as OSHA
increases pressure on companies to comply with the latest
standards and as more information becomes available
about the effectiveness of the latest in PPE.
To learn more about the services offered by Protective
Apparel Team or visit www.protectiveapparelteam.com.
Intro to Arc Flash Hazards
Arc
Flash Safety
Arc Flash Labels
NFPA 70E Safety Standards
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Current Limiting Fuses
Arc Flash Safety Blog
