PANTS ON FIRE – CAN YOUR UNDERWEAR HANDLE AN ARC FLASH?

  Posted by: electrical-poster      20th November 2017

ProGARM reveals everyday undergarments can result in severe burns for industry workers.

ProGARM, a specialist in Arc Flash protection, has announced the launch of a new product range – perhaps unexpectedly, the industry leader is branching into the sale of undergarments, with the aim of protecting the UK from the often life changing injuries sustained during an Arc Flash incident.

Louder than a bullet and hotter than the sun, workers across the UK are already encouraged to wear full protective Arc Flash PPE when at risk from injury, however current guidelines don’t specify on the necessity of Arc Flash protective underwear – something ProGARM is keen to address with this bold new product launch.

Jarl Coldrick, international sales manager at ProGARM, explains: “Arc Flash is a secret killer and is a real issue for industry businesses across the UK. Not only is legislation unclear, it also fails to specify how exactly contractors and workmen can best protect themselves.”

When it comes to industrial safety, the importance of wearing personal protective equipment such as hard hats, protective gloves or steel toe-capped boots is widely understood. However, the specifics of Arc Flash protection remain largely ambiguous with professionals.

In fact, ProGARM’s recent survey with the BSIF revealed that a shocking 78% of respondents did not know the correct Government safety guideline for Arc Flash protection (HSG47). Off the back of this research and as part of its ongoing commitment to safety and industry innovation, ProGARM has developed this new range which includes base layer leggings, tops and even boxer briefs for males and females.

Jarl continues: “The material worn beneath an Arc Flash protective jacket is just as crucial to protecting from the event as outer clothing. While the outer garments are key components for providing protection, they are not enough to match the risk posed to an operative’s safety and effective base layers are needed to defend against the risk of an Arc Flash.

“The flames caused by an Arc Flash may not actually come into contact with skin through the protective outer layers, but 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 non-Arc Flash protective undergarments to melt into the skin underneath their PPE, potentially causing skin infections.”

The garments recently unveiled by ProGARM are tested to IEC 61482, using the Open Arc Test Method and Box Arc Test Method; ensuring that they are fully functional against the thermal pressures of an Arc Flash, which may result in a flash fire incident.

The items also utilise VXS+ Inherent Fabric, which does not depend on chemical treatments, ensuring the flame-resistant properties last the lifetime of the fabric and that the material is incredibly breathable and soft – improving overall comfort.

Tony Arnett, managing director, at ProGARM added: “At ProGARM, we’re dedicated to providing our customers with the highest protection from Arc Flash events. While many people think that outer protective clothing is sufficient protection, in reality all garments need to be Arc Flash resistant otherwise the wearer is still at risk of injury.

“We want to educate workers on this issue to ensure that employees are not unknowingly at risk in the event of an Arc Flash occurrence. For us, when it comes to lives being at stake, it’s essential that nobody compromises on safety.”