The Truth about Flame-Resistant Apparel

Valuable Tips for Making an Informed Purchase

With all the choices out there, developing a flame-resistant garment program is both challenging and expensive. Many brands look similar, and virtually all FR manufacturers boast apparel that meets various standards such as NFPA 70E or NFPA 2112.

As with other critical safety equipment, you often get what you pay for with FR. That's why Westex™ has developed a series of videos to help you know the difference and make an informed decision. They encourage you to watch our latest video which provides detailed information on arc flash and flash fire hazards, along with relevant standards and test methods.

HiVis Supply is pleased to provide this education about FR clothing so that our customers can be better informed when making their purchases, for the safety of their workers. 

The Importance of High Visibility Workwear

4-Season Ultra-Cool Adjustable Mesh Vests

Wearing safety vests is one of the best ways to make sure that you won't be injured on the job, in the parking lot, on the highway - even on a bike or motorcycle. You can protect yourself from injury or even death simply by donning a very lightweight, safety orange or lime vest with reflective striping based on the area you're working in and the speeds of the vehicles and machinery around you. 

Manufacturers make it from brightly colored retro-reflective material, and since the visibility of any driver is impaired at night, drivers may might not see people on the road while looking generally for other obstacles and being blinded by oncoming traffic.

Reckless drivers can also easily hit a pedestrian even when they are on the pedestrian walk, so to avoid such accidents from happening, even pedestrians are encouraged to wear reflective clothing to make them more visible. As long as a person is wearing the clothing every driver that passes them will notice their presence. It is really hard for the item to blend into any surrounding so it will adequately serve its purpose.

But accidents are not restricted to the highway - employees also get injured at work, with the end result typically due to failure to adequately protect themselves. During construction, every person who is on site has to wear the reflective clothing. The piece of clothing is a major part of their equipment so it should never be ignored. Construction workers run the risk of being hit by drivers or being wounded at their place of work. This means that their employers need to make it their prime concern to keep them safe.

Protective gear comes in many colors such as neon, yellow, orange and green, and many combinations of striping especially for particular professions such as highway workers, crossing guards and surveyors. A person can choose whichever size or shape they find appealing. It is very hard for a person to get injured when they have the clothing on.

At HiVis Supply, you can choose from hundreds of safety vests - Class 1, 2 and 3, flame-resistant, mesh, sleeves and no sleeves - the choice is yours. Or choose a hi visibility hat or t-shirt depending on the climate and situation you find yourself in. Many employers will have you overprotected just in case, and some employers leave it up to their workers to decide which vest to choose. we just want you to make the right choice, and keep yourself safe while working hard out there.

Five Common Workplace Safety Issues

ANSI Class 2 Short Waist Mesh FR Safety Vest

The workplace can be a dangerous place, with there being more hazards than people often realize. There are many accidents in the workplace each year due to unsafe work practices, staff not being trained to use equipment or machinery properly or even simple things, like being tired or overworked. It is important for all businesses to take their Occupational Health and Safety seriously and it is a good idea to deal with Safety Management Consulting groups to make sure they are on the right track.

Confined Spaces

A confined working space can become a workplace safety issue. The space itself may be dangerous due to its construction or the location may not be safe. A space may also be a dangerous area to undertake certain types of work. For example it is hazardous to work in a confined space with toxic gases, vapours or fumes. Such work should be undertaken outside or in a large area with lots of fresh air circulating. Staff should also wear the correct safety equipment, such as face masks or breathing ventilators.

Fires
Some workplaces are more prone to fires than others, depending on the nature of the business. As an employer fire safety should be a number one priority and steps undertaken to protect staff against the threat of fire. Staff should also be fully trained in case there is a fire, knowing where the escape routes are and where they should assemble.

Noise
An overexposure to loud noise can cause damage to a person's hearing, even rendering them completely deaf over time. In many factories the noise of some machinery is extremely loud, and staff must be given the right ear protection to wear. Noise should not be louder than 140 decibels and staff should not be exposed to it for prolonged periods of time. If it is at all possible machinery should be fixed to tone down the noise, or have noise buffers put in place.

Injuries
Unfortunately workplace injuries occur everyday. Some are just small injuries, others are more serious, and sometimes they are even fatal. Employers must do everything they can to avoid their staff from being injured. Measures employers can take include making sure machines have safety guards, that staff are well educated in the use of dangerous machinery and that their business compiles with occupational health and safety standards. Employers can also support staff who are injured to return to work as soon as possible and make sure they receive the right compensation during the time they are injured.

Electrical Hazards
It is not just staff working with electricity, like electricians, that can be exposed to electrical hazards. Staff need to be aware of any risks that may arise from using electricity. Some industries will be more at risk than others but it is a risk that is not to be disregarded. An employer needs to make sure that there are no faulty electrical equipment being used, no loose wires or water lying around anywhere that electricity is being used.

To learn more about Workplace Safety, check out HiVis Supply or Summit Sign and Safety, and check Self Insurance and Safety Management Consulting.

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