| Making a safety plan is not just about coming up | | | | doesn't only remove moisture. It also cools and |
| with rules; it must also consider practicality as well. | | | | allows for simple temperature regulation. |
| Personal protective equipment must not only | | | | Non-breathable fabric feels confining and the |
| protect a worker against danger, but it must be | | | | moisture trapped inside can become a problem |
| comfortable. Without comfort in fire retardant | | | | fast. |
| clothes, workers may become unhappy and | | | | Wicking fabrics permit evaporation by pulling |
| irritable simply due to discomfort. | | | | moisture away from the skin into this quick drying |
| The Comfort of Fire Retardant Clothes | | | | fabric as it evaporates easily. This material makes |
| Workers operating in a dangerous environment | | | | fire retardant clothes feel a lot cooler than clothing |
| like an oil refinery may need to wear flame | | | | made with traditional FR fabrics. |
| resistant uniforms to protect against the chance | | | | Protected Workers |
| of injuries in a fire. However, workers shouldn't | | | | The protection workers receive from fire |
| feel like they have to sweat under their coveralls | | | | retardant clothes provides important seconds |
| or protective suits. Wearing a moisture wicking | | | | during a serious industrial fire. While overall safety |
| and fast drying t-shirt or base layer allows air to | | | | is crucial in the workplace, these materials also |
| move thereby allowing workers to effectively do | | | | provide a daily benefit. |
| their jobs. | | | | Although accidents are rare, workers want to feel |
| The term flame retardant clothing often makes | | | | safe. The overall goal of a safe workplace is |
| people think of the bulky gear worn by | | | | making sure a worker never experiences a |
| firefighters. However, modern fabrics are used in | | | | situation that requires the necessity of fire |
| today's designs that are both comfortable and fire | | | | retardant clothes. However, wearing protective |
| resistant. They are light and some workers report | | | | gear can give workers the peace of mind they |
| they feel better than traditional FR treated | | | | need to keep from worrying about their safety. |
| uniforms because they aren't stiff or scratchy | | | | Awkward and bulky gear can quickly become |
| and their protection is permanent. | | | | burdensome and annoying. With accidents being |
| Managing Moisture | | | | rare, this type of equipment just becomes a job |
| Clothing that doesn't effectively deal with | | | | irritation. |
| perspiration is uncomfortable. The fabric used in | | | | However, when fire resistant clothing feels |
| these garments manages moisture problems by | | | | comfortable, workers get an environment that is |
| focusing on wicking and breathability. | | | | safe and comfortable. When employees feel |
| Perspiration can better evaporate with breathable | | | | comfortable, they can relax and focus on their |
| fabrics that allow air to flow through. Evaporation | | | | job, allowing them to do great work. |