Derek Sang, CSHEP, QSSP, Author at Incident Prevention

Mitigating Heat and Cold Stress with FR/AR Clothing

Written by Derek Sang, CSHEP, QSSP on June 20, 2022. Posted in Safety Management.

Within the utility industry, employers have long looked to flame-resistant (FR) and arc-rated (AR) garments to help protect workers from injury due to flash fire and arc flash. Because these garments are designed using specially engineered, self-extinguishing fabrics and are certified to rigorous testing standards, they can help prevent or lessen the severity of injury. Utilizing FR/AR garments as part of a comprehensive personal protective equipment program is also one of the ways employers can meet OSHA’s mandate to provide workers with employment and a place of employment that are free from...

Mother Nature vs. FR/AR Clothing

Written by Derek Sang, CSHEP, QSSP on June 16, 2020. Posted in Worksite Safety.

The company I work for receives a lot of questions about flame-resistant (FR) and arc-rated (AR) clothing, including inquiries about what should be worn on extremely hot summer days and very cold winter days. We’re always happy to answer those questions because it’s our business and – in the electric utility industry – donning FR/AR apparel often is necessary for workers’ personal safety. The fact is, extreme weather doesn’t appear to be stabilizing anytime soon. Both NASA and the American Meteorological Society have predicted that we can expect both more intense and more frequent heat and...

Understanding, Selecting and Caring for FR/AR Clothing

Written by Derek Sang, CSHEP, QSSP on June 14, 2019. Posted in Safety Management.

When the original version of the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 standard was published in the 1990s, flame-resistant (FR) and arc-rated (AR) clothing weren’t even mentioned. The dangers associated with electric arcs were known at the time, but the standard only required that an employer not allow an employee to wear clothing that, when exposed to flames or electric arcs, could increase the extent of injury sustained by the employee. This eliminated use of garments constructed with synthetic materials – such as polyester, nylon, rayon and acetate – so the default was for employees to wear clothing made...

How to Navigate the FR Clothing Marketplace

Written by Derek Sang, CSHEP, QSSP on June 20, 2015. Posted in Safety Management, Worksite Safety.

When the original version of the OSHA 1910.269 standard was published, flame-resistant (FR) clothing wasn’t even mentioned. The dangers associated with electric arcs were known, but the standard only required that an employer not allow an employee to wear clothing that, when exposed to flames or electric arcs, could increase the extent of injury sustained by the employee. This was covered under 1910.269(l)(6)(iii). The rule eliminated the use of garments constructed with synthetics such as polyester, nylon, rayon and acetate, which could melt and drip, and led to the adoption of clothing made...

Author: Derek Sang, CSHEP, QSSP

Mitigating Heat and Cold Stress with FR/AR Clothing

Mother Nature vs. FR/AR Clothing

Understanding, Selecting and Caring for FR/AR Clothing

How to Navigate the FR Clothing Marketplace

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