Getting winter ready

With this in mind, Mark Lant, technical expert at ProGARM, Arc Flash protective clothing specialists, explains five factors that must be considered to ensure workers are both warm and comfortable, as well as safe, this winter.

Material worn beneath an Arc Flash protective jacket or trousers is just as crucial to protecting from the event as outer clothing. While the flames caused by an Arc Flash may not actually come into contact with skin or indeed the clothing beneath the protective outer layers, the extreme heat from the event can melt the materials used to manufacture everyday undergarments, including nylon, cotton, and polypropylene. This will inflict burns on an operative and potentially cause any day-to-day undergarments and layers to melt into the skin underneath their PPE.

In order to not compromise on safety, whilst also ensuring workers stay warm during the colder weather, workers should layer up with Arc Flash protective base layers, such as leggings, tops, gloves and even underwear and socks, beneath their outer garments.

During winter, wearing layers of PPE that trap moisture is not only uncomfortable, but can also be dangerous. If a garment’s material is not sufficiently breathable, moisture can remain on the skin, which can cause a chilling effect and even lead to hypothermia. Arc Flash protective clothing that is manufactured from inherent protective fibres instead of a protective coating added post-production, allows breathability and moisture management. The fabric readily absorbs sweat and then dries quickly, meaning that worker can stay warm in winter, without overheating if wearing multiple layers.

Arc Flash protective clothing has historically been thought of as uncomfortable. A garment can offer the ultimate protection, but if it leaves workers feeling uncomfortable or affecting their ability to carry out tasks, they are less likely to wear it, or wear it correctly and therefore will be unprotected should an Arc Flash occur.

Bulky and rigid PPE is frequently worn incorrectly - it’s all too easy to wear an everyday belt, to roll sleeves up or undo a jacket when a garment is uncomfortable, but all this seriously compromises the safety of an individual against an Arc Flash. However, uncomfortable PPE can now be a thing of the past. Garments made with inherent fibres instead of a coating added post-production, allow movement, breathability and moisture management, meaning workers can go about their tasks with ease.

It goes without saying that winter is the wettest season of the year, and therefore ensuring sufficient waterproof protection of your team is essential to keep workers warm, comfortable and safe. However, it’s important that workers have separate waterproof garments for winter and for summer, as jackets that are designed for the warmer seasons will not be sufficient for providing the warmth that workers require during the colder months.

While operatives are already encouraged to wear full protective PPE throughout the year, workers crucially need to be very visible once dark mornings and afternoons become a daily occurrence. Yet highly visible Arc Flash resistant clothing is often disregarded in winter due to lack of flexibility and warmth. However, high vis clothing is essential in reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities on industrial premises, and in winter the need for highly visible clothing is only heightened due to the shorter daylight hours and poorer weather conditions. To avoid rigid and uncomfortable PPE, garments should include innovative stretch tape that ensures the flexibility of clothing.