Risks / Industries
Technologies to protect your people!
Risks vary according to each industry
An analysis must be conducted for each one in order to determine the optimal protective technology to protect your people and your company’s operation. At TEXIN FR we help you protect with our garments from the following risks:
· Flash Fire
Flash Fire : is the sudden formation of fire caused by a source of ignition that in a very short period (approximately 3 seconds) creates flames and heat flow. It is short and intense.
Fire is a complex chemical reaction that requires three components to occur: a heat source, oxygen and combustible material. Combustible material may contain numerous hydrocarbons typically found in oil and gas industrial environments. Even combustible dust may produce a flash fire. Once air and the material achieve a conducive combination, ignition may be caused by different sources, such as soldering, sparks from tools, running engines, etc.
Since flash fire and combustible-fueled fire present different risks, they require different levels of flame protection in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The most common protective garment for this risk is the FR coverall, aka Fire Resistant Coverall. The most important aspects to consider are the level of protection of the technology (fabric), as well as appropriate design, construction, comfort level, breathability, protection performance and compliance with norms. The most common reference in America is currently NFPA2112.
· Arc Flash
Arc Flash is a dangerous form of exposition that happens with the passage of energy through ionized air. Exposure to the risk of arc flash is an intrinsic condition of working with energized circuits at both low and high tensions. It is the main cause of injury among electricity professionals.
A flow of electrical current passes through the air between conductors from phase to phase, phase to neutral or phase to ground, releasing different types of energy. This phenomenon has three stages: electrical shock, arc flash and arc blast.
Electrical shock: Sudden stimulation of the nervous system and conclusive contraction of the muscles, caused by a discharge of energy. Arc flash: can reach a temperature of up to 22,000° C, causes burns to the skin and makes clothing catch fire, increasing burn injuries.
Arc blast: The high temperatures caused by electrical arc generate a shockwave which may exceed 1600 Km/h.
The most common garments used to protect against arc flash are: shirts, pants, and coveralls. The most common reference norm in America is currently NFPA70E.
· High Visibility
Hi-Vis: Is used in low-light work environments, which may be exposed to vehicle traffic or moving machinery. It is also used to signal a person’s presence in a specific environment.
Which types of Hi-Vis materials do we know?
Phosphorescent Fluorescent Retro-Reflective
Only 3 colors are considered fluorescent: Yellow-green, orange-red and red. Fluorescent colors re-emit short-wave ultraviolet light as visible long-wave light. Fluorescent materials are therefore brighter, provide more contrast and improve visibility in daylight, especially at dawn and dusk.
Current standards | Compliance:
USA ANSI/ISEA 107:2015, Canada CSA Z96, Europe (international) ISO 20471, NFPA (flame resistant) NFPA 1971 (firemen) NFPA 2112 (industrial), Mexico NMX-S-061-SCFI-2017.
· Molten Splash
Molten Splash: Is the accidental spill of molten metals which temperatures are at least 660° C, be it aluminum, steel or other metals.
Foundries are dangerous environments where metal is processed at high temperatures and operators must wear effective protection, able to withstand impact from splashes of molten metal. Besides, each metal’s specific viscosity must also be considered for adequate protection.
In the case of aluminum, viscosity reached at just 700ºC can be extremely dangerous because of the ease with which it sticks to materials, causing severe burns.
Work areas that include foundries are considered among the most dangerous. Critical aspects must be considered when selecting the adequate protective garment for this risk. Temperature + Viscosity.
The most common protective garments for molten splash from aluminum, copper, zinc and other materials are: Japanese apron, bib, jacket, and pants. When selecting the design, garments must be made as slick as possible to avoid the risk of splash drops getting caught in seams or pockets.
Current norms related to molten splash are EN ISO611 y EN ISO11612.
· Acid Splash
Acid and Liquid splash: may cause injury depending on its type, strength and time in remains in contact with a body part. Exposition to these chemicals may, depending on levels of toxicity and medium, cause a series of detrimental health effects, entering the body through various paths (oral, inhalation and skin contact), skin contact being one of the most relevant.
Acid exposure can be corrosive, causing destruction of tissue at different levels, from simple dermatitis to a complex variety of local or systemic consequences to human health.
The test method for materials protecting from acid splash is AATCC 193
· Radiant Heat
Radiant Heat: Is present in work areas with room temperatures equal to or above 100° Celsius. In proximity.
When analyzing operations in areas exposed to heat, it is important to consider the following factors:
1. Air temperature
2. Radiant temperature
3. Wind speed
4. Convection heat
5. Exposure to flame or metals
Applicable norms for this risk are EN ISO 11611 and EN ISO612, where different classifications and minimum protection levels exist, such as: convection heat, radiant heat, molten aluminum/iron splash and contact heat, among others.
· Electrostatic Discharge:
Electrostatic discharge: Can be explained as the accumulation of “uncontrolled” electric discharge. Such accumulation may present a risk of ignition or alter microcircuits and cause damaging discharges.
For this risk to exist, five conditions must be present: highly explosive atmosphere, charge generation, charge accumulation, electrostatic discharge and sufficient charge energy.
An operator’s movement in such an environment generates charges, which is why it is important to consider antistatic protective garments. The most common garments are: shirt, pants and coverall.
· Medical – Fluid Splash
Fluid Splash: Biological risks are present in medical environments. The highest exposure is for medical personnel directly assisting patients, thus coming under risk of exposure to pathogens.
Main portals of entry for microorganisms are: respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, mucous membranes, circulatory system and the skin.
Protective garments for medical use should have adequate levels of water repellency and breathability. Most common garments are: gowns, pants, shoe covers, head covers and more recently Tyvek® coveralls.
