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Care of ARC Flash Clothing

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a requirement of the United States Department of Labor's (DOL) Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) to minimize employee exposure to work-related hazards. According to OSHA, it is up to employers to determine if PPE should be used for worker's protection. One form of PPE employers use is arc flash protective clothing.

  1. Background

    • The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identifies arc flash as the abrupt release of electrical energy into the air. An arc flash emits thermal radiation and an intense light, causing burns with flash temperatures reaching as high as 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit, NIOSH advises. Arc flash clothing is a type of PPE that is meant to provide a barrier from heat (thermal radiation) and flame to reduce burn injury. Arc flash clothing extends beyond suits, shirts and pants to include flame-resistant footwear, gloves, neck protection and hearing protection. Flame-retardant treated cotton, cotton (88 percent)/nylon (12 percent) blends and DuPont Nomex IIIA.

    Care

    • The Electricity Forum advises that home or commercial (laundromat) laundering is the best way to care and clean arc flash clothing, as industrial laundering causes more wear and tear on arc flash garments. Ideally, arc flash clothing can be worn daily and washed once a week to reduce wear and tear. Arc flash garments can be laundered using the "normal" setting found on most standard washing machines. Tumble dry arc flash clothing on a low or permanent press setting to prevent damaging the synthetic nylon fibers (high heat can melt synthetic fibers like nylon).

    Risks

    • Constant friction on any area of arc flash clothing reduces the wear life of arc flash garments. Friction caused from stress points on the body--elbows, knees, buttocks, thighs and across the shoulders--can cause fabrics to become worn and eventually tear. According to DuPont, the maker of Nomex IIIA, arc flash garments made from Nomex IIIA can be commercially laundered and washed using chlorine bleach, as the flame retardant properties of Nomex fabric are permanent. DuPont does advise that chlorine bleach may affect the colorfastness and can deteriorate the strength of fabric over time. Flame-retardant treated cotton and cotton blend fabrics such as Indura and Indura Ultra Soft by Westex and Banwear by Itex should not be laundered using chlorine bleach. Itex also advises to refrain from all detergents containing chlorine or peroxide bleach and enzymes on arc flash garments made of Banwear.

    Precautions

    • While the Electricity Forum recommends home or commercial laundering for arc flash clothing, the makers of Indura, Indura Ultra Soft, Nomex IIIA and Banwear advise that industrial laundering can be administered. Banwear does advise that industrial laundering can introduce flammable contaminates (lint or fibers from other clothing) into the garment, which can impede the arc flash garment's effectiveness. When laundering at home or at a laundromat, it is important that the lint filter or tray be cleared of lint fibers. If possible, clean the washing machine before laundering arc flash clothing to prevent contaminants from clinging to the clothing.

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