Innovative Arc Flash Clothing

Developing Innovative Arc Flash Clothing

Individuals working in an environment where there is a risk of an arc flash occurring are required to wear arc flash clothing. The potential threat from incidents involving arc flash – one of the most serious electrical hazards that can occur in the workplace, can pose situations ranging from a “near miss” to a life changing injury or fatality.

What Is An Arc Flash?

An arc flash is an electrical explosion or discharge following a connection through air to ground or another voltage phase in an electrical system. Temperatures at the source of an arc flash can reach up to 20,000 °C meaning it is one of the most serious electrical hazards that an individual can face at work. The explosive force from an arc blast can exceed 100 kiloPascal (kPa), causing the expulsion of molten metal, equipment and debris with speeds of up to 300 meters per second.

Do I Need Flame Retardant Or Arc Flash Clothing?

All individuals who are at risk of an arc flash explosion at work must wear certified arc flash clothing. Flame retardant (FR) clothing is any form of protective clothing that is designed to protect the wearer from radiant, convective, or contact heat including open flames, fire or hot objects such as molten metal splashes. This is not the same as arc flash protection – arc flash clothing is flame retardant, but FR clothing does not provide arc flash protection. The effects of an arc flash explosion on an individual wearing FR clothing can be devastating.

Arc Flash Product Innovation

The range of arc flash compliant products available is continually evolving to meet the needs of the wearers and their high-risk working conditions. When Clad Safety began the process of designing their own range of arc flash clothing, market-leading items were studied, assessed and wearer feedback was gathered. This information was used to create products with innovative features including stretch panels for comfort and flexibility and a dual hem to solve the issues of customers ordering too much or too little of a specific leg length.

Why Clad Safety Designed Their Own Arc Flash Clothing

Clad Safety have been supplying arc flash workwear and PPE for over 30 years and has a wealth of technical knowledge to pass on to our customers. As a business, we work hard to stay educated and informed on changes within the industry. We keep abreast of new and innovative products that come into the marketplace including new ways to improve our product and service offering.

At Clad Safety we always listen to our customers, the challenges that they face and create solutions to overcome these obstacles. Feedback on the current arc flash clothing included the need for more flexibility, comfort, and durability so the decision was made to design our own range for operatives working in volatile environments. Many months of designing, sampling, and testing led to the production of our arc flash coveralls, long sleeved polo shirt and dual hem cargo trousers. All items are arc flash compliant and have an ATPV rating of 7.7 Cal and above.

The Benefits Of Choosing Clad Safety’s Arc Flash Clothing

The Clad Safety arc flash range has been created with the needs of workers in mind. The clothing provides greater comfort, functionality, and safety for a wide range of work requirements. Clad Safety is a trusted supplier of workwear and PPE, and we ensure all items, especially those designed by us, reflect the reputation of our brand.

As the items have been designed by us, pricing is more competitive, lead times are quicker and stock delays are no longer an issue.

What Arc Flash Clothing Has Clad Safety Designed?

Regardless of industry or activity, personal protective equipment (PPE) has long been considered the last line of defence for workers. In no field is this more prevalent than for those working with electrical equipment, where the potential threat from incidents involving arc flash is so serious the potential risk can result in devastating consequences. Employers must ensure their employees are wearing the correct arc flash clothing but if you have any doubt, please speak to a member of the Clad Safety team. Our wealth of technical knowledge coupled with our products that we have designed specifically for this high-risk workplace hazard means we understand what is needed when working in an arc flash environment.