| Injuries from fires and intense heat are some of | | | | spark. By the time a vapor cloud is detected, it is |
| the most gruesome and lethal for workers | | | | usually too late. For this reason, it is imperative to |
| unfortunate to be involved in such accidents. | | | | prevent vapors from gathering by using the |
| Protecting against fire and heat hazards is an | | | | proper storage containers, but the hazard always |
| essential goal on any job site. The first step is to | | | | exists. |
| engineer hazards out of a work site and institute | | | | Arc fires are another tricky source of intense |
| safe working procedures, but accidents still occur. | | | | heat. All live electrical lines and hot work carries |
| In order to mitigate the injuries caused by | | | | the potential to start an arc fire. They occur |
| accidental flash fires, flame resistant industrial | | | | when the current running through a wire jumps |
| supplies have to be a part of personal protective | | | | from a piece of equipment, through a worker, |
| equipment. | | | | and then to the ground. The resulting arc fire can |
| In this article we will examine how flame resistant | | | | generate thousands of degrees of heat in an |
| industrial products work, the different heat and | | | | instant as it travels. |
| fire hazards, and provide some thoughts on | | | | Understanding PPE - Selections And Limitations |
| selecting the proper pieces of Personal Protective | | | | There are simply no industrial products that can |
| Equipment (PPE) with their limitations in mind. | | | | completely eliminate the danger of a flash fire or |
| How Flame Resistant Clothing Mitigates Hazards | | | | an arc fire. Flame resistant industrial supplies and |
| When caught in a sudden flash fire or arc fire, | | | | apparel will never allow a person to walk through |
| there is no time to react to avoid an injury. | | | | standing flames. They are designed to reduce the |
| Sudden, intense heat has a number of | | | | injury potential of an accident in order to give |
| unexpected consequences that goes beyond | | | | workers a fighting chance to survive an accident |
| starting fires. | | | | without lasting injuries. When selecting and using |
| Flame resistant industrial supplies are designed to | | | | flame resistant personal protective equipment, |
| reduce the hazard potential of intense heat. | | | | these limitations have to be kept in mind. Always |
| Industrial work wear is unsuited to exposure to | | | | address hazards with engineering solutions and |
| high temperatures. Cotton and natural fibers will | | | | safe work practices first. |
| ignite from flash fires and will continue to burn. | | | | Industrial work wear can be made flame resistant |
| This is an extremely dangerous hazard if a | | | | with chemical treatment of the fibers or with the |
| worker has been knocked unconscious while his | | | | application of a protective coating. Always follow |
| work wear continues to burn. Synthetic fibers and | | | | the cleaning and care instructions for each and |
| polyesters will melt when exposed to intense | | | | every garment to ensure that their protective |
| heat, causing third degree burns to the entire | | | | properties will remain effective. Utilizing a uniform |
| body surface. | | | | service is an excellent way to ensure proper care |
| Flame resistant materials counteract both of | | | | and worker safety. |
| these behaviors. When these chemically treated | | | | In order to use these industrial products to create |
| fibers are exposed to flash fires, they will char | | | | an effective personal protective equipment |
| and stiffen, instantly forming an insulating barrier | | | | program, workers have to utilize flame resistant |
| against further exposure. The material is | | | | equipment that covers their entire bodies. |
| therefore self-extinguishing and will not act as a | | | | Coveralls and long jackets can cover the majority |
| fuel source. | | | | of the body surface and adding extra layers will |
| Identifying Job Site Fire and Heat Hazards | | | | increase their insulation properties. Elbow length, |
| Identifying fire and heat hazards is the key to | | | | heavy-duty leather or thermal gloves will insulate |
| preventing them and mitigating accidents. The | | | | a worker and offer proper hand protection. |
| nature of a flash fire or arc fire is instantaneous, | | | | Industrial products such as safety glasses and a |
| rather than standing flames that offer some | | | | hardhat fitted with a polycarbonate face shield will |
| warning and can be extinguished. | | | | protect the head and face. Welder's masks and |
| The intense release of heat is primarily | | | | flame resistant wraps are also an excellent idea. |
| characterized by exploding vapor clouds and arc | | | | Overall, flame resistant industrial products will |
| fires. Many chemicals, from gasoline and diesel fuel | | | | provide a vital layer of protection when working |
| to solvents and resins, release flammable vapors | | | | with live wires or flammable chemicals. Combined |
| when they are open to the environment. The | | | | with industry best practices, workers can be kept |
| vapors are colorless and invisible and can be | | | | safe from the worst hazards of flash and arc |
| ignited with very little external heat or a tiny | | | | fires. |