Those who work in electrically-charged environments are often aware of the dangers they face.  Rightly so; it’s highly regulated because a wrong move could have devastating consequences.  But what about when that’s not the case? Industries from telecoms to utilities, sustainable technology to rail maintenance can find themselves in unpredictable territory when breaking ground.  In this more uncontrolled environment, the risk of an arc flash or other electrical incident is a real possibility. A critical lack of information Companies involved in breaking ground rely...

Anyone responsible for safety garment procurement decisions has a responsibility to make sure the products they’re buying are suitable for the risks their workers face. To help you decide which supplier’s protective garments are the best to meet the flame resistance or arc flash safety requirements you need, you should request and compare each supplier’s certifications. Here are three initial points to consider: 1. How do I know the garment I’m considering has the relevant certifications?  The rigorous process for...

Many people ask if flame-resistant (otherwise known as fire retardant) protective clothing is the same as Arc Flash protective clothing. While all ProGARM Arc Flash safety clothing is flame resistant, not all flame-resistant clothing would provide protection in an Arc Flash incident. To be as safe as possible, it’s crucial you wear the right type of protective clothing, appropriate to the nature of your work and your task risk assessments and method statements. What’s the difference between flame-resistant and Arc...

In a heavily regulated world where garments have to be tested to incredibly high standards, people specifying PPE would be forgiven for relying only on the test results when making their decision.  But those results are just one part of a large jigsaw of information you need when making a purchasing decision. How your team feels about wearing the kit should also be part of the puzzle. But how important are wearer trials for Arc Flash PPE?  Meeting minimum Arc...

Any PPE system you choose to protect your team has to be able to accommodate the variable UK weather. From being breathable to help you stay cool in warm temperatures, to protecting you from the driving rain and the cold when working at the top of a wind turbine.  But how is that protection measured? What’s the relevant standard and why is it important?  The British Standard for protection from rain BS 343 2019 sets out the standards that PPE claiming to be...

If you’re working in an environment where explosions are a risk, then wearing PPE with anti-static properties is an absolute must.  But you don’t have to compromise on the protection you choose, as a wide range of our Arc Flash workwear is also certified to EN1149-5, the European Standard for Protective Clothing – Electrostatic Properties. Why is anti-static protection important in PPE? It’s easy for small static charges to build up when undertaking what seem like routine tasks. If discharged they can create...

You might think you can’t have protection from flash fires and Arc Flash in the same garments, but you’d be mistaken. ProGARM’s range of Arc Flash PPE also has built-in flash fire protection. Here’s what you need to know. What is a flash fire and where are they a risk? Flash fires are one of many potential dangers to people who work in high-risk environments.  They happen when fuel or flammable liquids mix with air and combust, spreading flames almost...

For many decades, flame resistant clothing has helped reduce the risk of severe burn injuries to workers. These types of garments are either made from just treated cotton and more often nowadays made from self-extinguishing materials and they provide managers with a reliable option for keeping their teams safe. However, anyone responsible for health and safety will understand that the job is a constant challenge, as industries evolve and we discover new dangers.  This is why it’s important to keep...

At ProGARM, we’re always improving our range of arc flash PPE which is why we’re one of the first manufacturers to launch an arc flash hoodie that is as “comfortable as wearing pyjamas”.  What makes our arc flash hoodie different? Your employees will enjoy wearing it … in fact many already are. Our arc flash hoodie has already been given 9.2 out of 10 in a recent user trial. We focus on the small details because the things that seem...

It should be no surprise that winter arrives each year, with its colder temperatures, less hospitable weather and, with it, a new set of health and safety risks.  As with most health and safety topics, planning and preparing for prevention are the best tools to make sure that your workforce are safe. Here are some of the biggest health and safety risks in winter weather and what you can do about them.  Slips and trips As the weather turns wetter...