Top 3 reasons why you need FR garments

ONE: To Help Prevent Injury and Death

Recent government reports have noted that the #1 cause of severe and fatal burn injuries on the job is an individual's clothing igniting and continuing to burn - not the source of ignition itself. The use of flame resistant clothing helps provide thermal protection at the area of exposure. The level of protection resides in the weight and composition of the flame resistant fabric. Once the source of ignition is removed, FR garments will self-extinguish, allowing precious escape time and limiting the percentage of the body that is burned. Even though a person caught in a flash fire or arc flash will most likely still have some injuries, FR clothing can greatly reduce their severity. And in many cases, it can make the difference between life and death.

TWO: Because Accidents Happen

It's cliché, but it's true. Even when an employee is following the proper safety regulations and the risk is low, accidents can still occur. FR clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) are the last line of defense in protecting workers against the unexpected arc flash and flash fire accidents. Remember, it's not a question of if an accident will occur. It's a question of when.

THREE: To Comply with Regulations

No matter where your business operates, all state and federal OSHA organizations require employers to provide adequate protection from dangerous hazards in the workplace, especially with regard to burn injuries. In fact, companies are often cited and fined by OSHA for not providing FR clothing to their employees under 1910.132 “Occupational Safety and Health Standards: Personal Protective Equipment.” Future changes to the requirements are expected to be even more stringent.

There are also many voluntary consensus standards that address the urgency for FR clothing in certain environments and industries. The American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®) publish their own guidelines with regard to FR clothing. Not only can complying with these standards satisfy legal requirements and reduce liabilities, it has a tremendous impact on the perception of your company and overall employee morale. When you make a commitment to safety, everyone benefits.