6th Apr 10
JNana
Author Laura Walter from EHS Today writes, “On Feb. 7, 2008, a combustible dust explosion ripped through the Imperial Sugar Co. refinery in Port Wentworth, Ga., killing 14 employees and injuring dozens. The incident triggered $8 million in proposed OSHA fines, a Senate hearing, a renewed call for an OSHA standard and widespread concerns about combustible dust hazards. It also prompted Imperial Sugar to make some changes in its facilities and procedures — including outfitting all workers in fire-resistant (FR) clothing”
Many companies may not feel that fire-resistant clothing should be required by everyone who works in the plant. However to ensure the safety of all employees many companies should revaluate their policies and ensure that everyone working in a plant is well protected. It only takes one incident like the one that happend to Imperial Sugar. Incidents like these can be avoided.
Fire-resistant clothing will protect your employees from arc flash and flash fire as well. “In an arc flash, the amount of energy released is quite significant, with temperatures reaching between 10 and 20,000 degrees Fahrenheit” says Dan Bowen, technical marketing specialist for Dupont Personal Protection. “Even though the duration of an arc flash is usually fairly short, on the order of less than 1 second, the amount of intense heat will cause anything combustible to burst into flames almost immediately. There’s been a tremendous amount of people injured and killed by arc flash events that suffer badly because the clothing they were wearing caught on fire.” Dan Bowen goes on to say.
Scott Margolin, international technical director at Westex Inc. goes on to highlight two major misconceptions about fire-resitant clothing in Laura Walters article,
1. Cotton is an upgrade from synthetic blend materials
Margolin’s Answer: “While cotton doesn’t melt, wearing cotton garments in the event of arc flash or a flash fire could be deadly”
2. Workers need an FR shirt or jacket but not FR pants
Margolin’s Answer: “Not wearing full protection is a dangerous move”
Avoid having a tradegy happen in your plant that will cost the lives of your employees.
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April 20th, 2010 at 14:29
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May 13th, 2010 at 01:14
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May 20th, 2010 at 13:04
Do you have any resources on this? I would like to read more about it.
Arc Flash Guy
June 7th, 2010 at 11:25
Indeed true about full FR gear. It may seem inconvinient but studies have shown that people with 2nd or 3rd degree burns on more than 50% of their bodies normally die.
Since your legs can make up around 40% of your body surface, thats a hell of a risk wearing something that may combust. (Aside from the risk of getting burns down your legs of course)
A few pictures of what happens to people who get caught without protective equipment was enough to convince me.
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