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 looking for new solutions to solve these challenges and help save human lives.
Arc Flash life-changing danger
Although most health and safety professionals are confident about fire and electrical safety, they may be less aware of a certain danger known as an Arc Flash.
An Arc Flash is an incredibly dangerous event which occurs as a result of an extreme electrical discharge. This releases a powerful burst of energy that can reach temperatures of up to 19,000ºC – almost four times hotter than the surface of the sun.
This energy can travel fast through the air, injuring people as far as six metres away from the source.
The danger is threefold – an electric shock, a physical force and thermal radiation. This means that workers are at risk of life changing injuries caused by:
- Electrocution, which can be potentially fatal
- High levels of thermal radiation
- 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree burns, with 3rd degree burns causing permanent damage
Can flame resistant clothing protect you from Arc Flash?
Unfortunately, although flame resistant clothing meets acceptable industry standards for the risks associated with fires, unless they are specifically designed and certified they are not designed to also withstand an Arc Flash incident.
This means that to guarantee the necessary level of protection, you need personal protective equipment that is designed to do both.
Clothing with Arc Flash protection and flame resistance
Fortunately, our specially-designed garments offer both levels of protection.
Arc Flash clothing, also known as Arc Rated clothing, has been designed to protect your team from the thermal hazards of Arc Flash as well as withstanding various heat and flame hazards.
By updating your equipment to a range of Arc Flash clothing you are ensuring that you are getting protection from both types of hazard.
This is becoming a common practice in many companies especially in the Petrochemical sector, which with the increased awareness of Arc Flash have started to include this hazard in risk assessments.
High standards and rigorous testing
There are specific standards that these types of garments are designed to meet.
At ProGARM, all our Arc Flash garments meet EN11612, a Flame Resistant standard, which covers clothing designed to protect against heat and flame. But those Arc Flash garments also need to comply with IEC 61482 which is the international standard applicable to Arc Flash and flash fire hazard protection. To get to this point our garments go through rigorous testing processes to ensure that the garment structure remains intact and components such as zips and buttons still work after Arc exposure.
Comfortable and reliable clothing
Bulky and uncomfortable protective clothing can often put your team off wearing it properly, putting them in greater danger.
With this in mind, we ensure that our clothing is breathable, soft to wear and highly durable. Many of our clients have said that our garments are like wearing pyjamas, which means they are happy to wear them and remain protected every day.
A cost-effective health and safety investment
ProGARM garments are also long-lasting too and so make a cost-effective choice for your team – we have been told on many occasions that our garments can last as much as 70% longer.
No need to compromise
At ProGARM, we have made it our mission to help your team get home safely every day. By providing high-quality protective clothing, which offers both flame resistant and Arc Flash protection, we can help you reduce the risks should the worst ever happen.
If you are looking to increase protection for your team and are unsure where to start, simply speak to one of our friendly sector experts. They work endlessly to understand the risks and requirements of your industry and are happy to help. Simply call 44 (0) 1482 679600 to get started or email info@progarmcurrent.wpengine.com
Make sure that you’re specifying the right PPE for your team.
Read our free guide on the top considerations when choosing Arc Flash clothing & PPE below and make the best choice for you and your team via the link below ⬇.
