subject: Flame Resistant Safety [print this page] When working with flames or flammables, getting the job done doesn't count if you and your business go up in flames. As a general rule, hottest fashions on the runway arent designed with shop safety in mind, yet flame resistant workwear matters. It could even be a matter of life and death.
Flame-resistant work apparel provides everything the serious welder, mechanic, energy worker and others need in safety-conscious work attire. Your business and your clients rely on your work. A work accident not only causes lost work time. It costs money in workers compensation. Repeated lost-time accidents can discourage potential clients from soliciting your services or even turn established customers away from your company.
A fire caused by improper work attire can be even worse. Without flame resistant workwear, a stray spark easily turns into a lost-time accident, one that could easily have been avoided. If that stray spark doesnt grow big enough to do property damage as well, chalk it up to dumb luck. The next time proper work attire is neglected, worse could, and probably will, happen. A dangerous job should be combated with tough work gear at all times. Many employers dont understand that the same safety planning that goes into the work environment needs to be applied to the employees and their clothing. Workwear is not only in the work environment, its right on the front line taking all the flak. If that isnt enough risk alone its also worth noting that this clothing is constantly in motion. While it may be easy to isolate a gas tank or flammable materials, it isnt as simple as putting up a cone when it comes to a rayon tee shirt.
Insurance companies dont take kindly to cleaning up after unnecessary accidents. If you get away with explaining the first event of fire-damage, continually disregarding the need for proper clothing will cause a second disaster you may not find so easy to explain. Of course, you wont need to play clean up if you dont survive the first spark that spreads into flame.
Safety in the workplace is important. Meetings on proper lifting techniques, using cutters and torches or operating machinery are important enough to command plenty of company time. Isnt fire-prevention worth a little time and resource too?
In addition to fabric suitable for your work environment, well-tailored flame resistant clothing provides a tailored, professional fit with a utilitarian cut that eliminates the possibility of catching and pulling. Safety gear isnt safe if its going to be hanging up on equipment. Keeping it cool on the job is easier with proper preparation. When serious risk of burns can be evaded and other safety concerns also addressed, why would any conscientious owner or worker in highly flammable work environments choose to go without flame resistant workwear. FR clothing may be the single most important purchase for your business. Buying in bulk ensures that a new employee will always be ready for the task at hand on the first day. It is also a good idea to have extra protective clothing on hand to supplement or replace vests and protective bibs on the job site.
