To safety and health pros, perhaps confused by the dizzying array of FR clothing options, here’s one simple suggestion: Google search “What you should know about FR clothing.”

The final version of the 2018 edition of NFPA 70E® - Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® is scheduled to be published next month (September) and will be active 15 days after publication.

The statistics are well known. Each day three or four workers are killed due to electrical related accidents, according to NIOSH. A Michigan burn center found that 34 percent of patients injured on the job received flash injuries.

Despite the potential for serious injuries and fatalities, gloves were not considered when arc flash standards for clothing were first developed in the 1990s. For years electrical industry safety experts wanted the same type of rating on gloves as they had for clothing and face shields.

Areview of the literature on the causes of arc flash and other electrical accidents most often points to worker carelessness as the number one problem. “Carelessness” may be too broad of a generalization.

As we reach the cold depths of winter, it’s important to consider workplace hazards and FR protection. Consider a winter PPE plan for workers in cold-weather areas who may be exposed to arc flash and other conditions that require FR protective clothing.

As we reach the cold depths of winter, it’s important to consider workplace hazards and FR protection. Consider a winter PPE plan for workers in cold-weather areas who may be exposed to arc flash and other conditions that require FR protective clothing.

It’s important to determine the potential heat exposure a worker faces doing a job or in a work environment to select FR clothing protection.