Workers urged to take good care of arc and flame-resistant clothing
Arc and flame-resistant protective clothes (AR/FR) are effective in protecting workers, provided wearers follow the recommended care and maintenance instructions.
Many manufacturers are adding more comfort and style to their AR/FR garments whilst providing adequate protection. Quality protective clothing will last a long time and retain its protective qualities, but only if cared for correctly.
Simon Levin and Melissa Egersdorfer from clothing manufacturer True North Clothing say:
“At times overlooked is the fundamental importance of the right protective clothing paired with proper education around the difference it can make to the wearer daily when worn and cared for correctly.”
Workers may need to wear AF/FR base layers in case exposure exceeds the protection capacity of their outer clothing layers. Modern AF/FR base layers are lightweight and more comfortable to wear than those made a few years ago.
In the past, it was recommended that AF/FR protective clothing be cleaned by industrial laundry services, but new fabrics have been developed that enable protective clothing to be efficiently washed at home using domestic washing machines.
AF/FR protective clothing manufacturers have warned that not all employees provide adequate training for their employees in the correct care and maintenance of protective clothing. Many garments need special repair and maintenance procedures to retain their durability and protective properties. Manufacturers provide clear advice on how to clean and look after protective clothing.
If protective clothing is not cared for, it may not perform well and can have a negative effect on workers, putting their health at risk.
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