The Occupational Health and Safety Administration require that an employer is responsible for protecting employees from hazards which may be present in the workplace. It is the responsibility of the employer to determine the specific needs based on a number of factors including the environment that the work takes place in. In years past fire resistant pants that were appropriate for wear in the winter or in the rain had been overlooked. There are climates where these considerations are far more important than in others. As of April 2014 there is no longer any doubt as to what garments are acceptable, OSHA brought cold weather and rain wear for use in the electrical service industry into the fore.
A new utility standard:
This new OSHA standard for utilities and large industrial installations has defined the new standard, it is stated clearly that fire resistant pants and other outerwear that is for use in the winter and in rain must not melt onto the worker in the event there is an arc flash. Many utilities have not been remiss in providing fire resistant pants and shirts, now they must provide fire resistant outerwear that is used in the winter and rain. All material used in the manufacture of these items of clothing must be made from materials that do not melt, thus eliminating the possibility of serious injury.
Clothing must have a fire resistant outer layer:
There is no disputing that arc-rated materials are flame resistant. Only recently there were materials used in the manufacture of winter and rainwear that did not nor could they pass the acceptable standard.
The amendments that were made resulted in a shift in the market for flame resistance pants and other winter wear. Some companies have opted to provide their employees with dual hazard winter wear even though this is above and beyond the intent of the standard.
Fire resistant pants and other items of outer wear are mandatory year round for those working in hazardous industries such as power generation. You are invited to visit MPE Inc. for a full range of fire resistant pants.
