FR vs. Non-FR Trim

Have you ever wondered if there is a difference between FR Trim and Non-FR Trim?

Well, watch the video below! The video features a flame resistant 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material verses a non-flame resistant reflective material. Both trims were added to the same flame resistant fabric.

 NSA FR vs Non FR Trim Demo 

In light of these findings and recent changes made by OSHA, we are pleased to offer our new Dual Hazard FR Hi-Vis Safety Vest line that is a step above the rest. Our FR Hi-Vis Safety Vest offers 360 degrees of visibility, while meeting OSHA 1910.269, complying with NFPA 70E, and being UL certified to NFPA 2112! Yes, all the reflective trim is flame resistant 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material. We only use FR reflective trim on our flame resistant garments and are not willing to cut corners when it comes to the quality of our products and the safety of our customers! 

      

Innovated to meet the needs of customers and engineered to be the best! 

For more on our new line, visit here now: Dual Hazard FR Hi-Vis Safety Vests

OSHA Revisions during National Electrical Safety Month

May is National Electrical Safety Month!

It is the perfect time to further explore and understand the OSHA Flame Resistant Clothing Law during National Electrical Safety Month and share information from industry leader, e-Hazard.

With the compliancy date only 52 days away, employers are attempting to understand the changes made to OSHA 1910.269.  Fortunately, there is a great industry resource, e-Hazard, that has provided a side by side comparison of the 1994 standard and the new 2014 final ruling. Their table highlights the changes and notes variations between the old version and the final ruling from April 11, 2014. Click here to review this side by side comparison: OSHA 269 Table Comparison (PDF)

National Safety Apparel stocks several garment options that meet OSHA 1910.269 and offers customizations to meet the individual needs of customers. For more information on these changes and/or flame resistant clothing options, contact our customer service team via phone at 800.553.0672 or email us at CustomerService@thinkNSA.com

What is OSHA 1910.269?

OSHA 1910.269

What is OSHA 1910.269?  In very basic terms this federal regulation addresses the operation and maintenance of electrical power generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment.  Within the layers of this regulation lies a section addressing flame resistant clothing.  The code states that an employer shall ensure that each employee who is exposed to the hazards of flames or electric arcs does not wear clothing that, when exposed to flames or electric arcs, could increase the extent of injury that would be sustained by the employee. (OSHA 1910.269(l)(6)(iii))

OSHA recently revised part of 1910.269 to include the following:

Employees may not wear flammable clothing in conjunction with flame-resistant clothing if the flammable clothing poses an ignition hazard.  Although outer flame-resistant layers may not have openings that expose flammable inner layers, when an outer flame-resistant layer would be unable to resist break open the next (inner) layer must be flame-resistant if it could ignite.

OSHA also revised paragraph (g)(3) of §1926.960 and paragraph (l)(8)(iii) of §1910.269 to require an employer to ensure that each employee exposed to hazards from flames or electric arcs does not wear clothing that could melt onto his or her skin or that could ignite and continue to burn when exposed to flames or the heat energy estimated under §§1926.960(g)(2) and 1910.269(l)(8)(ii).

In basic terms OSHA is making it mandatory for certain employers to provide protective clothing that will not melt, drip, or ignite and that will not contribute to injury by July 10, 2014.  Employers will then be required to perform an Arc Flash Hazard Assessment by January 1, 2015.  By April 1, 2015 employers will be required to provide Arc Rated Clothing that matches the Arc Flash Hazard assessment to employees.

These revisions are sure to have employers and employees wondering what options they have to comply with the revised OSHA 1910.269.  To read the full OSHA revision click here. For information on flame resistant garment options, contact our customer service team by dialing 800.553.0672 or email us at CustomerService@thinkNSA.com