Where we share our perspective on current trends, best practices, and the future of FR safety.
Earth Day is Friday, April 22nd, an annual event to celebrate environmental protection. Did you know that 70 years before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established, Milliken & Company initiated voluntary environmental stewardship practices? In fact, today more than 99% of Milliken’s solid waste worldwide is reused, recycled or used for energy. Milliken is proud to be a leader in sustainability and mindful business practices!
When it comes to arc-rated and flame resistant clothing, there’s a science behind peace of mind, a science to feeling good, and a science to coming home safe. When it comes to the science of being safe, of caring, we are all in.
Starting later this year, a new arc flash testing laboratory in Brazil will begin testing to ASTM and IEC standards for flame resistant fabrics, garments and rainwear, face shields and gloves. Petrobras, the largest multinational energy corporation in South America, has partnered with the Energy and Environment Institute at the University of Sao Paulo (IEE USP), to establish a new facility to support the growing demand and need for arc flash testing, specifically for personal protective equipment (PPE).
Accidents are just that, they happen by chance and not on purpose. In fact, after an accident workers are often heard saying how safe a particular electrician “always was”… until the day he or she wasn’t. Accidents where workers think energized circuits are dead claim the lives of electricians every day. Many electricians have consciously chosen to work on circuits that were energized without applying the principles found in NFPA 70E, and sadly, many have been killed or seriously injured as a result.
Milliken has long understood that ethical behavior is not just the right thing to do but is a key to sustainable growth, forming the foundation of the company’s strong sense of purpose to Do Good. Milliken is proud of its reputation as a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices and a role model for ethical conduct. Each Milliken associate understands that our recipe for success begins with Ethics, Excellence and Leadership.
In the electrical industry, for example, it’s important for both qualified and unqualified workers to understand and receive training for the equipment they are working on. In construction, and electrical construction more specifically, codes and standards define what constitutes a qualified person in the context used within contained requirements. A key point is that workers can be qualified in one area and unqualified in another. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the employee to understand the limitations of their qualifications and when they are not qualified to perform a particular task.
In recent years, the combustible dust hazard has been receiving increasing attention from both OSHA and NFPA. OSHA defines combustible dusts as fine particles that present an ignition hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions. The combustible dust hazard is a flash fire event or rapid combustion known as deflagration. A flash fire is a rapidly moving flame front that is brief in duration and can propagate through a facility as shock waves create dust waves ahead of the flame front.
The story behind our commitment: When it Comes to FR Safety, We Are All In
Westex by Milliken has always provided much more than high-performance FR fabric. For decades, we’ve taken a big picture approach to FR safety. This article shows you what it means to be “all in,” with an unmatched dedication to FR safety across the industry.
Safety management systems are designed to be comprehensive and manage safety elements in the workplace. A safety system is a process that continuously operates to reduce hazards and prevent workplace incidents. Safety is a critical element in any business and it’s important that all employees buy-in to the safety program. After all, employees are your greatest asset and the company is responsible for putting the proper processes and standards in place to help protect them.
Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as arc rated FR clothing, is a critically important part of every electrical safety program. It should be used as the last line of defense, meaning it helps protect when all other preventative measures have failed. In fact, the hierarchy of controls puts eliminating the hazard as the most effective way to protect workers. However, in many cases engineering can reduce but not eliminate the hazard. Energized work poses an arc flash risk, and there’s really no such thing as a “small” arc if you are the person standing in front of it. Virtually all arcs pose an ignition risk to flammable clothing.
