With the unpredictability of British weather, it can be hard to know whether you need to break out the sun cream or bring your waterproofs with you in any given day.  For those working in high-risk environments with the potential of an arc flash incident, this can create conflicting working conditions as most PPE is designed to ensure the body is fully covered, and therefore inherently warm.  It’s crucial that those who need it are wearing the right combination of...

For decades, women in industries requiring PPE have been an afterthought.  Despite the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 requiring that personal protective equipment provided for use at work should be suitable and capable of fitting the wearer correctly, garments are typically designed for men, creating at best, uncomfortable to wear clothing and at worst, a safety hazard for the women who need to wear them. The TUC guide Personal Protective Equipment and Women reports that in a 2016...

In a world awash with baffling technical speak, we cut through the jargon to explain the difference between treated and inherent flame resistance and the considerations when weighing up which to buy. The big fabric debate If you’ve been browsing PPE catalogues searching for arc flash and flame-resistant (FR) workwear, you have probably noticed there are many ways to describe the nature of the fabrics the garments are made from. The two main phrases used in descriptions of arc flash...

Investing in the highest quality arc flash kit is exactly that – an investment.  Whether purchasing for a small number of specially-trained people or as part of a broader procurement strategy in large volumes, the value-for-money aspect is a necessary part of the conversation. Regardless of overall spend, there are significant commercial benefits in having the right specification kit for high-risk electrical operatives at risk of an arc flash.  As if saving lives isn’t enough, here are our top five areas for...

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...