| Energized equipment is everywhere on the job | | | | external or internal heat source like an arc flash, |
| and in public places. An electrician's responsibility is | | | | and the after-burn will result in significantly higher |
| to keep the lights on and equipment producing, | | | | injury. Polyester apparel will result in likely worse |
| regardless of the conditions. With that expectation | | | | accident, as the material will melt and drip onto |
| comes inherent problems lurking around every | | | | your body and into wounds. |
| corner. Some are obvious and some aren't as | | | | The answer is flame resistant clothing that has |
| obvious, but they are no less dangerous. | | | | been tested and permitted against the 1959 |
| One of the problematic hazards is arc flash. The | | | | ASTM Standard. Two of the largest issues with |
| opportunity for arc flash might not be something | | | | many flame resistant apparel availabe is the lack |
| you think about day-to-day, but if you've ever | | | | of durability and lack of comfortcoziness. Apparel |
| seen one or heard about the effects, it's clear | | | | manufacturers have created garments that not |
| that safety measures must be taken to reduce | | | | only have the FR properties built into the fabric, |
| accidents and avoid a potentially deadly accident. | | | | but also have moisture wicking, skin temperature |
| The complete force of an arc flash typically has | | | | cooling, and odor fighting properties, which all add |
| no other course of travel than directly at an | | | | up to superior user comfort. This means a more |
| technician- and the outcome can be deadly. The | | | | focused and industrious wearer, leading to job |
| NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the | | | | alertness and fewer on-the-job injuries. Comfort |
| Workplace was created out of this understanding | | | | also leads to routine wear because it feels just |
| and is fastly becoming mandatory on jobsites | | | | like a favorite cotton t-shirt, while keeping the |
| around the nation. | | | | wearer safe and compliant. |
| NFPA 70E defines the use of Personal Protective | | | | The 70E Standard may or may not be required |
| Equipment (PPE), requires Arc Rated, flame | | | | on your worksite, but now that you know the |
| resistant clothing and restricts the use of cotton | | | | issues and the fix, there's no reason that you |
| and other unsafe clothing while working in these | | | | cannot combine safety and style to assist you to |
| conditions. | | | | get you home at the end of every day by using |
| Normal cotton clothing will start on fire from an | | | | fr clothing. |