The Flash Volume 2
The new CSA Z 462 is ready for viewing !
The long awaited Canadian consensus standard for electrical safety is available for “comments”. You will be able to read the entire text, and if you wish, make comments to the writers about any issue you have. The file you will download will only be able to be viewed until July 6th, after which you will not be able to open it. Shortly after the comment period, the committee will make any changes it deems necessary and publish the standard. You can get a copy of the proposed standard at:
https://review.csa.ca/opr/opr_about.asp?loc=CAN
What happens then depends on the province that you live in. Some provinces are talking about making the contents of the standard “code" (as in electrical code) while others are planning on adding the provisions of the standard to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
We think that the interest in arc flash gear will reach a peak during the summer and fall, now that the CSA has issued the standard, even in a proposal format. It is important that sales reps make it clear that their company is a source for FR clothing and that PMMI is standing behind their efforts.
What’s in the new standard that affects arc flash gear selection ?
Not a great deal, except that Category 2, which used to have foot notes attached to it for certain types of activities, is now split into Category 2 and Category 2* (2 ‘STAR) for clarification purposes. There are numerous clarifications and tweaks to the wording of clauses, but the bottom line is that the categories, and the clothing that is required to protect yourself while working live have not changed.
Labelling of clothing
Once the CSA standard has been published, we will be adding the following verbage to our labels “Meets NFPA 70E and CSA Z462 requirements.”
Let’s talk about underwear- what working women need to know
Although the current standards require the use of non melting (cotton) underwear under FR clothing in most cases.PMMI International offers woven Nomex underwear for both men and women. The attached article, reproduced here with the permission of Hugh Hoagland, talks about the use of Nomex underwear under FR clothing.
Beverly Johnson, designer for the ArcBra, wrote on the importance of women’s safety and electric arc flashes. Later, based on her article, she was interviewed on what inspired her to partner with Hugh Hoagland and design a first and one-of-a-kind bra designed to withstand arc flashes in excess of 8 cal/cm².In her article, Beverly offers this insight:
Two workers, one male and one female, are on the job. Which one will be burnt more severely in the event of an electric arc flash? If you guessed the woman, you’d be correct. The nature of arc flashes dictates that the closer to the source, the more intense the energy. Generally speaking, women’s arms are shorter than men’s, so women are working closer to the source. In addition, a woman’s bust line projects into the danger zone between the two arms, escalating the chance of breast burns when an electric arc flash occurs. So a woman’s breasts are particularly at risk for more severe burns. Regulations are in place for protective shirts or overalls while on the job. Surely a protective flame-resistant outer layer will provide protection to the garments underneath. Or will it?
Hugh told me this story when we first met: “In 1997 I received two different calls regarding female utility workers in Washington State in the US. These two women had suffered a similar fate. Both women had been performing routine service jobs, i.e., placing a meter in a socket, when an arc flash occurred. One lady had a molten metal droplet from the resulting electric arc fall into her cleavage area and ignite her bra. It burned back about two inches before she could get her shirt off to extinguish it. She was wearing a flame-resistant cotton shirt over a polyester/cotton bra. The other lady was performing the same operation when she received a much larger arc flash. She was wearing a lightweight Nomex shirt and her 100% polyester bra melted all over the front of her chest. In both cases, the shirt did not burn but the bra did. A flame resistant bra would have saved the first lady any burns and would have lessened the pain and suffering and permanent damage to the second lady.” These two separate incidents convinced Hugh that there was a need for fire-proof undergarments.
Raingear now available
Ranpro FR Raingear is now available through PMMI. After careful research, we think that Ranpro offers the best quality raingear available on the market. Some Ranpro rainsuits are still in use after 30 years !!! Ranpro offers two distinct levels of protection.
Utili-gard is made of high visibility orange PVC Nomex/ Kevlar blend. This “Ranpro Level 2” rainwear will provide Arc and Flame resistance, as well as “momentary protection from open flame.”
Petro-gard is a heavier garment, made of FR “low smoke” Neoprene on Nomex IIIA. It is also a high visibility orange colour. This group has the very popular 3-in-1 system that includes a jacket, hood and liner. It is rated as “Ranpro Level 3”, which means it is arc-resistant, protect the worker from Hydrocarbon Flash Fires, and momentary protection from Open Flame.
Information will be added to the website shortly, and our representatives will receive tear sheets for your use. Pricing will be emailed shortly.
Seminars/ Training
As you know, PMMI has built a well deserved reputation for providing excellent training on the issues of arc flash protection. In the future, PMMI customers will receive the same support and training as before, allowing them to offer value added services to a market that currently needs help understanding what to do with this relatively unknown hazard.
It should be noted that end user companies that require training for their staff who are not PMMI customers will be charged a minimum of $ 350 per session. If the trainer has to travel to the location overnight, expenses will also be charged. If the customer subsequently purchases their protective clothing from PMMI, this fee will be refunded. This does not refer to sales calls made by a PMMI trainer with a customer rep.
Remember that this kind of approach can be used to sell product. A comment such as “This service, which normally would cost you several hundred dollars would be free if you deal with our company” is an excellent way to stress the value added package that has made PMMI successful in the field.