In industries with potential hazards like heat, fire, electricity, or explosives (think construction, oil and gas, firefighting), workers need protection. That’s where flame-resistant (FR) and fire-retardant (FR) clothing come in. These garments are a form of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to keep workers safe.
But it’s not just a suggestion – in certain industries and under certain conditions, providing and caring for FR workwear is a strict requirement from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). They demand that workers in specific situations wear clothing that resists burning when exposed to electric arcs and flames. And employers have to foot the bill for providing this lifesaving gear. Employers must do so when:
- The employee is exposed to contact with energized circuit parts operating at more than 600 volts;
- An electric arc could ignite flammable material in the work area that, in turn, could ignite the employee’s clothing;
- Molten metal or electric arcs from faulted conductors in the work area could ignite the employee’s clothing, or
- The incident heat energy estimate exceeds 2.0 cal/cm2 (p. 390).
But it’s not enough to just have the right clothing – upkeep is vital too. According to OSHA, Employers are responsible for making sure FR garments are properly cleaned and maintained so they don’t lose their protective ability.
So what exactly is FR clothing? Well, it’s clothing that stops burning as soon as the flame or electric arc is removed. It won’t melt immediately either, which helps prevent burns from residual heat transfer. There are two types: flame-resistant materials, which naturally resist flames and heat, and fire-retardant materials, which have been treated to become flame-resistant. Both offer sufficient protection.
- To ensure FR clothing works effectively, OSHA provides some guidelines:
- Choose clothing based on the worst-case exposure for the task.
- Make sure it fits well and provides comfort.
- Roll down and secure sleeve cuffs.
- Fully fasten all garments, including outerwear.
- Keep clothing free of flammable substances like oil or grease.
- Wear appropriate protective coverings for the neck, face, eyes, head, hands, and feet.
- All outerwear must be flame-resistant to maintain protection.
- Undergarments beneath the outerwear should either be FR or made of 100% natural fibers.
Now, let’s talk about measuring the protectiveness of your FR clothing – the Arc Rating or Arc Thermal Protective Value. This rating tells you how much heat the fabric blocks when exposed to an electric arc. The higher the arc rating, the more protection you get against severe risks. And it’s measured against the Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) scale, with 1 being the lowest risk and 4 being the highest risk. The minimum arc rating for HRC1 is 4, HRC2 is 8, HRC3 is 25, and HRC4 is 40.
Here’s a pro tip: Wearing multiple layers of arc-rated clothing will give you even more protection. Some workers swear by wearing 3-4 layers for maximum safety.
It’s important to note that not all FR clothing is arc rated. To guarantee protection, invest in ARC rated clothing that meets the standards. Also, remember, FR clothing is not fire-proof. If exposed to extreme hazards or for extended periods, the fabric can still heat up or burn, causing serious injury. Avoid synthetic garments underneath FR clothing and remove yourself from hazards as quickly as possible.
Lastly, keep in mind that FR clothing doesn’t protect against explosive forces or other hazards professionals may face at work. Proper hazard assessment, acquiring all necessary PPE and making sure all PPE functions correctly when used together is essential for complete protection. Your safety matters, so take the time and effort to protect yourself on the job.
Learn more about the dangers of burn hazards here and browse our Arc Rated and Flame Resistant Clothing.
Read more about protective workwear like HI-VIZ and COVERALLS.
Are you more of a visual learner? Watch our expert led webinar on FR Workwear HERE.
- HTTPS://WWW.FROUTLET.COM/BLOG/AN-OVERVIEW-OF-OSHAS-FR-CLOTHING-STANDARDS
- HTTPS://AMERISAFEGROUP.COM/A-BRIEF-OVERVIEW-OF-FLAME-RESISTANT-CLOTHING-STANDARDS-AND-PRACTICES/
- HTTPS://TYNDALEUSA.COM/FR-SAFETY-RESOURCES/TECHNICAL-LIBRARY/FREQUENTLY-ASKED-QUESTIONS/FLAME-RESISTANT-CLOTHING-BASICS-FAQS/#:~:TEXT=FLAME%20RESISTANT%20CLOTHING%20STOPS%20BURNING,AGAINST%20THE%20SKIN%20%E2%80%93%20IS%20REMOVED
- HTTPS://WWW.POWERMAG.COM/FLAME-RESISTANT-CLOTHING-EVERYTHING-YOU-NEED-TO-KNOW/
