News | ProGARM

How often should you carry out Arc Flash studies?

Too often overlooked as a health and safety concern in comparison with other work environment risks, an Arc Flash can be potentially deadly. Arc Flashes most commonly occur when somebody is switching on electrical circuits - in particular, tripped circuit-breakers - and are the result of electric current flowing through an air gap between conductors. The ensuing flash can burn at a level of heat as intense as the surface of the sun, causing catastrophic burns or injuries, and even...

Hierarchy of control – how it applies to Arc Flash incidents

The hierarchy of control is a critical process in preventing health and safety incidents. Think of it as a strategy for safety. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that risks should be reduced to the lowest level practical, but also that not every step will be relevant to every project. The standard hierarchy of control is: Elimination – removes the cause of danger completelySubstitution – controls the hazard by replacing it with a less risky way to achieve the same outcomeIsolation –...

How much does Arc Flash protective clothing cost?

How much does Arc Flash protective clothing cost? Margins are tight, so budgets are tight. You need to know your decisions will keep your colleagues safe, but you’re also under pressure to keep spending to a minimum. Commercially, it’s understandable that you’re expected to justify your procurement decisions. So here are some ways you can show that what seems like a more expensive purchase now, will save you money in the longer term. How buying the cheapest Arc Flash PPE...

Three reasons employees disregard PPE safety policies and what you can do about it

When you need to kit out your workforce in Arc Flash safety garments that could potentially save their lives, whether it looks good probably isn’t high on your list of priorities. But it should be. The cynics of the world might think we only put so much effort into making our garments look great to make the catalogue photography look attractive. But there are three more serious reasons behind us investing in good design choices during the research and development...

Watch: Eddie’s Story

You may have seen a blog article from ourselves a couple of years ago about an operative who suffered an Arc Flash incident whilst at work. Fortunately, he was wearing suitable clothing and PPE which ended up saving his life and protecting him from further, more significant injury. We were fortunate enough to meet with Eddie Smith, a Team Leader for construction firm, Clancy Docwra, and his colleagues to speak to them about the day, the incident itself and the...

Watch: The PPE tests that you need to see

Arc Flash vs. Cotton Baselayers Making the right PPE choices for your team can be a real challenge. You must weigh up several factors: comfort, fit, durability and value for money to name but a few. But what can happen when you start to mix a variety of garments that offer different levels of protection or meet different standards? Does seeking optimum comfort whilst trying to hit a budget compromise the protection wearers receive in their last line of defence?...

NEW 2700 Arc Flash Dexterity Glove – Practical & comfortable Arc Flash glove solution

At ProGARM, we are committed to continual research and improvement to innovate as quickly as possible and bring you the new products and Arc Flash protection you are searching for. Our latest innovation is the 2700 Arc Flash dexterity glove, designed and developed to provide a comfortable and practical glove solution for those undertaking complex work with their hands. The latest development within our accessories range, the 2700 glove combines exceptional Arc Flash protection with practical features, including abrasion resistance,...

Shorter days need greater safety awareness

A recent study by the RAC Foundation reveals that the annual exercise of rolling back the clocks to GMT causes a spike of 20 additional car crashes a day, with 75% of these in the afternoons which are darker after the clocks change. Their report is consistent with many others around the world which attribute this phenomenon partly to the changing light levels and partly to fatigue caused by the short-term impact changing the clocks has on our bodies -...

Stop the Shock

Every October, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) runs a themed safety campaign aimed at businesses operating in this fast-growing industry. This year, they’re focusing on electrical safety with a month-long ‘Stop The Shock’ campaign. Their goal is to reduce exposure to major electrical hazards during the construction and operation of wind farms. Campaign materials include support materials for training, posters and hard hat stickers. They have also produced a webinar which focuses on different types of electrical hazards, appropriate...

Why ProGARM doesn’t do ‘pink and shrink’

With increasing numbers of women in engineering professions, and a continuing drive to increase the number of girls and women pursuing STEM subjects and careers, many PPE companies have fallen into a stereotype trap. Not us. Here at ProGARM, we want to make sure all the Arc Flash protective garments we provide to female workers are every bit as safe, practical and comfortable to wear as garments we provide to men. And that means designing them for women, not adapting...

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