the life saving benefits of flame resistant clothing

The Life Saving

Benefits Of

Flame Resistant

ClothingPresented by

Reid Supply

Monday, May 31, 2010

Understanding Flame Resistant

Clothing Limitations, Benefits And

Requirements

• Why flame resistant clothing is

important

• Limitations of flame resistant

materials

• Safety issues with standard

industrial apparel

• How flame resistant clothing can

make a difference

• OSHA guidelines and recognizing hazardous situations

• What jobs need flame resistance industrial apparel

• Types of flame resistant clothing on the market


Why Use Flame

Resistant Clothing

• Some highly hazardous jobs necessitate

the use of flame resistant industrial

apparel

• Other jobs may not absolutely need to

use flame resistant clothing; however

workers would be safer if they used this

type of industrial apparel

• Workers in industrial environments are

at risk of falling victim to flash fires,

electrical arc fires and chemical fires

• Flame resistant clothing will better

protect workers working with electric or

flammable substances


Why Standard Industrial

Apparel Is Not Safe

• The use of this type of synthetic industrial apparel could lead to the fatality of the worker

• Regular industrial apparel is made out of synthetic fibers that will melt under intense heat

• The melted clothing adds to the severity of burns that the worker could get from a flash fire or arc fire


Benefits Of Flame

Resistant Clothing

• Flame resistant material protects workers from sudden,

intense heat

• If a worker is knocked unconscious because of an electrical

discharge or flash fire, flame resistant clothing can help to

protect them so that they can be rescued

• Flame resistant industrial apparel is either self-

extinguishing or non-combustible which will help stop the

clothing from continuing to burn

• The chemically treated fibers stiffen to form an insulation

around the worker instead of burning

• If the material fails because of the intense heat, it will flake

away rather than melt


OSHA Guidelines For

Industrial Apparel

• OSHA applies an effectiveness rating for flame

resistant clothing for protection against arc

fires

• The National Fire Protection Association

publishes a rankings chart to help electrical

workers identify appropriate apparel

• Guidelines are being expanded by OSHA to

include compliance mandates for certain

industries


Recognizing Hazards:

Flash Fires• Occur from the sudden ignition

of a high-density of flammable

vapors

• Primarily associated with

chemical and petroleum

companies

• Risk for these types of fires

extends to companies that use

fuel pumps, diesel generators

and other equipment that uses

fuel to run

• Once vapors are released, any form of ignition

can trigger a life threatening situation


Recognizing Hazards:

Arc Fires

• The current produces intense heat that burns skins and melts or burns untreated clothing

• Arc fires can occur when there are live electrical wires

• These fires are created when electrical currents jump from electrical lines


Jobs That Need Flame

Resistant Clothing

Numerous jobs use flame resistant industrial apparel,

including:

• Firefighters

• Emergency Personnel

• Chemical Workers

• Petroleum Company Employees

• Maintenance Personnel

• Coatings, Plastics and Paint Workers

• NASCAR Drivers and Pit Crew


Limitations Of Flame

Resistant Materials

• No existing industrial apparel is 100% fire proof

• The primary purpose of flame resistant material is to lessen the effect of heat and flames

• The material will not make individuals invulnerable to flames or heat

• Smoke inhalation can only be prevented through the use of a self-contained breathing unit

• No industrial apparel can protect workers from thousand degree heat for more than an instant


Types Of Flame Resistant

Industrial Apparel Available

Industrial apparel companies carry a

wide variety of flame resistant clothing,

including:

• Bibs and coveralls

• Jackets and coats

• Shirts and sweaters

• Pants

• Hats


About US

Reid Supply Company is a full service global distributor

of a diverse product mix of industrial supplies and

components that meet the needs of multiple B2B and B2C

industries.

Reid Supply Company provides a variety of industrial

equipment and products, including:

• Manual controls

• Plastic knobs and industrial handles

• Tooling component


the life saving benefits of flame resistant clothing

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