The city of Venice has a perfect balance of land and water and encompasses centuries of history, art and world-famous architectural wonders. Its public transportation network, AVM SpA, safely carry Venitian citizens and visitors across the city and surrounding areas.  

For many years, AVM SpA has worked in partnership with GORE-TEX Professional and utilised GORE-TEX technology workwear to ensure the safety and comfort of the drivers and crews of its buses, streetcars and waterbuses.  Roberto Pizzolato, AVM Group's procurement manager, explains the reasons for the latest collaboration with GORE:

"When it comes to technical workwear, GORE-TEX is recognised internationally as the brand of choice, in terms of protection offered but also premium features such as waterproofness, breathability and comfort. It is no coincidence that the AVM Group has been using jackets made of GORE-TEX fabric in its operations and personnel management for more than fifteen years. A clear sign of how the brand is the ideal solution for the kind of work our operators do and their needs."

The origin of the collaboration

Before deciding to work with GORE-TEX Professional, Pizzolato and other AVM group managers started by reviewing the technical needs of operators and talking to  manufacturers to identify the best PPE solution.

"We were looking for a garment that would flawlessly offer certain key features, such as breathability  - essential when considering that the jacket is worn over other layers, especially in winter, and in work situations where there is frequent switching between indoor and outdoor environments - and protection from the weather elements that employees are exposed to while performing their duties.

The answer to these needs was precisely met by jackets made of GORE-TEX technology. On the one hand, they create a protective layer that prevents water, cold and wind from interfering with the operators' work, and on the other hand, they do not cause excessive sweating and are lightweight and breathable.”

The collaboration between GORE and the AVM group was not limited to simply the supply of the end product. Using GORE-TEX garments for a long time also allowed the AVM team to identify and suggest some areas for textile manufacturers to take action in order to further improve fit and protection. As a result of this dialogue between the parties, workwear garments have been developed to provide greater comfort, more modern styling and high durability.

Waterproof, windproof and ready for anything

Some AVM operators work at night, or leave home early in the morning and return in the afternoon hours, facing different weather conditions throughout the day. Throughout this time, they may be exposed to rain, wind, or low temperatures, but they may also go from outdoors to indoors and with air conditioning systems on.

Roberto Pizzolato explains the working routine of AVM operatives: "From driving vehicles to maneuvering docking and stationing boats alongside docks, there is a multitude of situations in which this jacket has proven to be a reliable solution for our employees, providing the same protective and breathable characteristics regardless of the surrounding environment."

To create the windproof jacket now worn by AVM streetcar, boat and bus drivers, as well as workers in municipal garages, GORE-TEX Professional and its licenced manufacturing partner, Siggi Group, had to take all these elements into account, including the work rhythms and the main tasks given to AVM employees.

This effort has led to the creation of a jacket that can be worn continuously, and which features some notable technical choices, such as the use of the 2-layer GORE-TEX outer fabric, equipped with a membrane with an expanded microporous structure that can dry quickly when wet. In addition, anti-abrasion inserts were added at the points of greatest wear, and the introduction of details that enhance the usability of the jacket, such as more accessible pockets and protective inner wadding.

A glimpse into the future

Among the reasons why AVM chose GORE-TEX Professional as its technical partner for its equipment is a commonality of purpose regarding the sphere of social and environmental responsibility.

One of GORE-TEX Professional's goals, for example, is to make durable products that will stand the test of time, and be in use for many years, so as to avoid waste and the use of new natural resources that are not strictly necessary.

Similarly, in the near future AVM plans to equip itself with new hydrogen and hybrid vehicles, as well as to invest in electric, to place less burden on the environment. A commitment that is consistent with the city itself. Venice has become a symbol of the effects that the climate emergency is causing. AVM and GORE remain committed to encouraging initiatives - commercial and otherwise - that can make a concrete contribution toward more sustainable practices.

"The decision to invest in such an innovative material for workwear is part of our broader strategy to improve the environmental impact our business has," Pizzolato concludes. "We chose GORE-TEX Professional because our company and Venice’s mobility needs are evolving.  Our cities can no longer bear the pollution and worsening environmental conditions, so each of us is called upon to make our own contribution if we are to look to the future with optimism."

About AVM SpA

AVM SpA - Azienda Veneziana della Mobilità - is a company of the Municipality of Venice, owner of the service contracts for Local Public Transport (LPT) for the municipal territory and the Metropolitan City. Established in 1996, in January 2012 AVM SpA expands its responsibilities to the whole of local public services in Venice and Mestre: A.C.T.V, the Azienda del Consorzio Trasporti Veneziano, the entity that had been managing mobility in the municipality of Venice and surrounding areas since 1978, merges into it . Before that, managing city transportation had been theAzienda Comunale di Navigazione Interna Lagunare (A.C.N.I.L.), established in 1930. Fifty years earlier, the vaporetto "Regina Margherita" plied the Grand Canal, a step of historic importance for the evolution Venice would face in the following years.

Actv S.p.A. currently owns about 550 buses and 155 boats, as well as 130 floating stations. It transports more than 190 million passengers annually, producing about 530,000 hours of navigation motion and 23 million kilometres travelled in the automotive sectors.

About GORE-TEX Professional

Gore revolutionized the apparel industry 40 years ago with its waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric and remains a leading innovator in performance apparel. Gore products offer comfort and protection in harsh environments and in everyday life, so that wearers can achieve and experience more and more safely and with full confidence. From hiking in the pouring rain to military operations and firefighting, Gore's deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives the development of products with significant performance benefits.

goretexprofessional.com/uk

This year’s top award for the P.C.I.A.W’s Best PPE Innovation in Footwear 2022 went to GORE-TEX Professional for their EXTRAGUARD upper technology. Selected by the independent PCIAW® judging panel for its outstanding protective properties and low carbon footprint.  EXTRAGUARD is a 3-layer footwear upper technology which offers a hard-wearing alternative to standard protective footwear uppers. In combination with a GORE-TEX lining, the safety footwear is also waterproof, breathable, 40% lighter than leather and comfortable to wear.

Yvette Ashby, Founder & CEO of PCIAW®, congratulated Jonas Andersson and Oli Willson, Sales Manager for GORE-TEX Professional in UK and Scandinavia, on their well-earned win: “This year’s PCIAW® Awards competition reached new heights, with an even wider range of global entrants, all of whom displayed an exceptional amount of talent and ingenuity. We are pleased, therefore, to have selected GORE-TEX Professional for the Best PPE Innovation in Footwear Award; their EXTRAGUARD upper technology will make a tremendous contribution to the worksite safety industry.”

Northern Powergrid manages and maintains the electricity distribution network that powers everyday life for more than 8 million people across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. Its network of 63,000 substations and 60,000 miles of overhead power lines and underground cables safely delivers the electricity bought  from energy suppliers. As a 24/7, 365 business, it’s there for customers through a team of some 2,700 people including around 1,300 frontline utility workers. In an evolving energy industry, Northern Powergrid and its people have a key role in creating and managing future energy systems that increasingly interact with customers and smart and low carbon technologies.

Electrical Workers Needs

Utility and electrical engineering offer challenges to its workers, especially those who have to work daily in changeable weather conditions but with the potential risks of  the thermal hazards of electric arc flash.

Colleagues had remarked that the traditional wet weather PPE provided was bulky and heavy,  that it was often too warm to wear during strenuous work and that it took a long time to re-dry at the end of a shift. Arc rated PPE needs to offer the highest levels of protection for utility workers against the potential daily risks of thermal hazards from an electric arc, without weighing down the end user with garment bulk. When working with live electrical systems there is always a remote risk of a worker being exposed to an incident involving a high temperature arc flash. Such incidents are extremely rare but nevertheless, companies need to protect their engineers by procuring Class 2 arc rated protective workwear with flame retardant properties.  Garments which are Class 2 arc rated refer to the protection level of European Norm    IEC 61482-1-2 (Box test), which stands for: protective clothing against the thermal hazard of an electric arc. 

For wearer comfort, garments need to be light to wear – wet or dry – so they are able to be worn for long shifts, in changing weather conditions. Protective garments also need to be robust and durable to not only last, which makes them more cost effective but also help the environment because they have a longer wear cycle and need replacing less often. For engineers working at height, up on poles or platforms, PPE should enable free movement, be flexible and offer high visibility for safety.

In addition, Northern Powergrid workers may face a difficult journey before they start work to reach their assigned repair site. Sometimes, they are required to move through difficult terrain to locate a fault on the power network so clothing needs to be robust enough to protect the workers from more general hazards.

For these roles, the correct balance of protection, ruggedness, comfort and ergonomics is an essential prerequisite for the workers’ PPE.

Northern Powergrid’s PPE Developments

Sean Johnson, a Safety Engineer at Northern Powergrid for 39 years, responsibilities include legal standards, policy, accident investigation, risk assessments and operational controls.

Back in 2009, Sean was part of a project team at Northern Powergrid which analysed the protective characteristics of arc flash safety clothing through a study of the potential risks for operatives working within the network. This study helped determine what levels of protection were needed for the different roles and risks a frontline utility worker could face as part of their job.

Using this information, Northern Powergrid commissioned a number of key industry players to develop a specification that would answer protection requirements. The working group found solutions that would provide comfort, protection and the correct corporate palate, which at that time was black and red. Following wearer trials and agreeing the specification, a competitive tender was won by J & K Ross, UK based specialists in PPE, Health & Safety Clothing distribution. In 2013 Northern Powergrid clothing sets for the 1,300 strong workforce were produced and distributed in one logistical hit and within one month all colleagues had all the protective garments they required to work safety and with complete protection. The clothing sets contained a previous generation of GORE-TEX Heat and Flame wet weather garments arc rated Class 2 (Box test). One layer of clothing provided in excess of 8 cal/cm² of protection, while two layers would provide in excess of 30 cal/cm² of protection based on both the Arc Thermal Performance Value (APTV) and E_LIM Value.  

Recent Developments at Northern Powergrid

In 2020, Northern Powergrid set about developing new products with Gore, J & K Ross and Gore’s licenced manufacturing partner MSA Bell Apparel. Together, they started exploring how the new arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® technology might be adopted by the Northern Powergrid team.

Arc Rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® product technology is a waterproof, windproof and breathable multi-norm compliant lightweight flame-resistant fabric.  In the case of an arc flash exposure, the fabric stops flame propagation by rapidly reacting and forming a stable insulating protective shell of  carbonaceous char with the face fabric (without melting or dripping) Its functional protective mechanism reduces the transfer of heat to the wearers skin and blocks the heat flow from the arc flash exposure making it suitable for an end user who requires protection levels to protection levels to IEC EN ISO 61482-1-2, arc rated to Class 2 (Box test).

Based on arc flash testing according to IEC 61-482-1-1 (open arc test), it offers an incident energy limit value (ELIM) of 42 cal/cm² of protection. Additionally, it is electrostatic dissipative and protects against liquid chemicals. Being up to 50% lighter than other Arc rated Class 2 fabrics in the market, arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® product technology is the only solution that offers the perfect balance of multi-norm protection, comfort and durability.

The Procurement Project Team   

The vital importance of multi-protection PPE for Northern Powergrid colleagues was appreciated and understood by the working group. Severe weather protection, as well as the correct electric arc protection were top of mind.

Northern Powergrid identified it would need severe weather arc rated jackets, hoods, salopettes and a number of coveralls. Northern Powergrid assembled a wearer trial team which was made up of lines people, jointers and fitters. Working with the wearer trial team J & K Ross and MSA Bell Apparel listened to their feedback and requests and modified designs. Working closely with the GORE workwear team, GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology was supplied in hi-vis orange. This ensured workers could be safely seen and identified as Northern Powergrid at distance – as other outdoor workers typically wear yellow and had the additional benefit that flying insects wouldn’t be attracted to the orange. 

GORE’S manufacturing brand partner, MSA Bell Apparel, produced small quantities of design prototypes in their UK facility using GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric, which were fully tested in GORE’s state-of-the-art laboratory testing facilities to ensure they were fit for purpose.

The trial team feedback resulted in design improvement, specific to the worker’s needs, such as a request for a Nelson pocket on the jacket which was large enough to hold a switching book. End users also requested changes to the jacket cuffs so gauntlet gloves could easily be put on over these. A traditional jacket cuff proving too wide to allow this to easily happen. This resulted in a narrower cuff being incorporated into the design of the new jacket.

Only when all members of the procurement project team and the wearer trial team were fully satisfied with the final and fully tested design did the MSA Bell Apparel go into full production.

Chris Ross explained how he welcomed the introduction of GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology to the market: “When it was launched, PYRAD was very much needed in the electrical PPE sector. It’s a brilliant fabric because it’s not stiff or heavy and provides complete comfort and protection.”

In July 2021, MSA Bell Apparel supplied the new issue of hi-vis orange jackets, hoods, salopettes and coveralls to J & K Ross for distribution. Industrial laundering company, phs Besafe supplied  unique bar codes which were then fitted by J & K Ross to every garment and these  were then assigned to every  Northern Powergrid industrial colleague. The bar-coding system allows phs to collect garments from depots, professionally clean and then return them directly back to the individual’s locker.

Harsh Weather Calls for Robust Protection

With 47 years of working at Northern Powergrid , Training Engineer David Reed is perfectly qualified to explain why quality PPE provision is required to cope with the reality of outdoor utility work: “Whatever weather comes we just have to be out in it and working. Weather can be an absolute enemy to utility workers.” 

Outdoor electrical workers are not afforded the luxury of staying indoors when the weather turns harsh. Indeed, extremes of weather, such as heavy storms, gale force winds, hale, snow and driving rain are a reality during autumn and winter months for those working on the front line to maintain, repair or upgrade Northern Powergrid’s electricity network.

The winter of 2021/2022 saw the UK – and Northern Powergrid’s operating area -  exposed to a series of severe and disruptive storms that provided real life testing for the newly supplied GORE-TEX PYRAD® jackets, salopettes and coveralls.

The multi-protection, multi-norm garments needed to do the following:

• offer Class 2 arc flash rated protective properties to IEC 61482-1-2
•  provide flame resistance
• contain antistatic properties: EN 1149-3/-5 
• provide protection against rain: EN 343 class 3/3
• dry out overnight and be ready to wear for the next day
• offer breathability so the inside of garments remained dry/ comfortable
• be comfortable to wear so that the garments are worn correctly by end users
• offer high visibility: EN ISO 20471 HI-VIS orange, which would not fade after laundering
• be durable to withstand the daily challenges of the utility worker  

Questionnaire Feedback

After several months of using their GORE-TEX PYRAD® garments, during some of the most extreme storm conditions to hit the UK for several years, Northern Powergrid’s frontline teams were asked to give their feedback via a questionnaire, distributed by team leaders. The job roles of respondents included:  jointers, apprentice fitters, faults coordinators, field engineers, apprentice cable jointers and overhead lines people working in the north of England covering North and West Yorkshire, Teesside and Humber regions.

Key findings include:

• Half of the respondents regularly work with a harness and at height; of these workers all stated they felt sufficiently warm whilst wearing their garments, 58% felt pleasantly dry and 83% found the ergonomic fit of the garment to be very soft and very flexible.
• The entire cohort, 100%, stated that the garments kept them dry.
• When considering the weight of their protective garments 19% found them to be very lightweight, 81% found them to be a comfortable weight.
• When asked how the GORE-TEX PYRAD® garment compared to their previous garment when worn in heavy rain, 84% found the new garments better, 16% found they functioned at the same level.
• Survey participants were asked to state how long their garments take to dry after being exposed to rain all day. 54% stated it took less than six hours, 30% considered it took less than 12 hours, (with 16% of the cohort unsure of the exact drying time.)

Within the questionnaire, Northern Powergrid team members were asked to state in their own words which design features they most valued about their GORE-TEX PYRAD® garments. The majority of responses related to the lightweight quality of the jacket and the fact they were totally waterproof. Additional responses referenced the design and position of the pockets, that the elasticated cuffs on the wrist help to stop the jacket from rising up when stretching. They also mentioned that the new cuff design meant putting on gauntlet gloves was now easier and that the hi-vis orange colour means that flying insects were not attracted to the jacket.

Individual Interview Feedback

In addition to the quantitative feedback from Northern Powergrid’s workforce, one to one interviews were conducted to gain qualitative insights from the end users.

For apprentice linesman Callam Hickling, 25, the toughest part of his job is being out in bad weather climbing poles with leg garter spikes and a harness, for him, good fitting kit is really important. He explains how he finds working outside in the elements: “Heavy wind and rain doesn’t help. Windchill can be an issue because its cold and windy when you are on top of a pole a good 10 metres, if not more, from the ground.” 

Commenting on his GORE-TEX PYRAD® jacket and salopettes Callam said: “I feel confident that the kit is going to protect me in bad weather. A while ago I worked for 16 hours in the rain and I was bone dry. The kit is dry by the next day for when I needed to next use them.”

When PPE doesn’t perform and isn’t fit for purpose, the impact on the wellness of utility workers should not be underestimated.  Jordan Ellis comments: “If I had gotten wet during those long 16-hour days recently would not have felt the best or particularly good the next day. I would definitely have been full of cold and would have been aching. Because the kit kept me warm, I think this helped my body so I could go out again the next day in the lashing rain and storm.”

Fellow apprentice linesman Bayley Rowlands, 22, noticed the difference in weight between his new kit and his previous issue: “They are really good being waterproof and they don’t let rain soak in.  They are lighter than the old kit  aswell and I do feel the difference in weight. The jacket fits really well and there isn’t any constriction of moment.”

Jordan Ellis, 22, evaluated his new GORE-TEX PYRAD® jacket and salopettes during a major incident before Christmas. Jordan explained the first time he really put his new kit to the test: “During Winter last year, I was wearing both my jacket and the salopettes and I had to climb up a pole because we had a conductor down and it was chucking it down with rain. It was dark because it was 7.30 in the evening by then and still raining. I had everything done up on my kit. I had thought I’d be freezing cold in my kit but I was ok, I got warm.  I was completely dry inside and I was really impressed that the kit was this good. Underneath it felt absolutely fine, bone dry, after a long 16-hour shift.”

Training Engineer David Reed, 63, is well versed to talk about the real hazards of working with live electricity and the need for quality PPE. After 43 years of working in this industry he explained: “I’ve never been exposed to an arc flash. Over the years I’ve seen electric arc and I’ve been close to one when we were on lines that were live and I’ve seen arcs a metre long.  I think the correct kit now will make a difference to the people coming through now so they can protect their bodies against all risks. I think it’s a great thing that Northern Powergrid is investing money in kit for our safety.” 

Conclusion

From the initial set up of the project through to the design modifications and the roll out of the new GORE-TEX PYRAD® jackets, salopettes and coveralls Northern Powergrid, Gore, J & K Ross, MSA Apparel and PHS have worked collaboratively with the focus on the end goal. The resulting fit for purpose waterproof and durable PPE provides Class 2 arc rated protection and lightweight wearer comfort for Northern Powergrid colleagues who work hard all year round on the front-line to provide high level service to its customers.

Sean Johnson, Safety Engineer at Northern Powergrid concludes: “Our teams work hard throughout the year to provide the high quality of service expected of them. They are exposed to the elements and the potential risk of heat, flame and thermal hazards associated with working with live electricity. Health and safety is our top priority and we have worked hard as an organisation to equip them with the durable, multi-norm Class 2 arc protection they deserve so they can remain focused on the task in hand and go home safe and well at the end of their shift.”

What is Comfort? 

When the human body feels uncomfortable we are very aware of this, however, if we are feeling comfortable then most of the time we don't really notice.   The word ‘comfort’ has a number of meanings, around a lack of discomfort or pain, or more positively in terms of a feeling of ease or contentment. While it’s possible to describe and explain the science of comfort, it is nevertheless a subjective experience. After all, some of us like the feeling of being out in all weathers or taking a cold shower, while others prefer being cocooned in warmth. For the human body to function properly, the temperature of our vital organs, i.e. the brain, heart, lungs and liver, has to remain at approximately 37°C at all times. Comfort has both a physical and a psychological or emotional element and they all interact. In other words, comfort combines human physiology and perception with physics and environment. Comfort is real but can best be understood as both objective science and subjective experience.

The Need for Protection and Comfort 

However it is defined, comfort is absolutely necessary for safety at work, especially when that work involves extreme conditions and/or specific risks such as working outdoors in foul weather or other factors such as fire or electrical hazards. Laws relating to safety at work cover elements such as appropriate equipment and PPE. For arc protection, for example, choosing Class 1 or Class 2 protection will be dependent on the type and level of electrical fault arc risk. Employers must consider whether an electric fault arc is a potential hazard and also whether there is an enhanced risk in the work environment.

This first step in obtaining the correct PPE will ensure protection, but historically, it has come at a price: comfort. In the past, to make PPE safe enough, garments have often been heavy, bulky, restricting movement, hot and frequently uncomfortable. However, recent changes in research have focused on the experience of wearers of PPE. Comfort scientists and designers have been hard at work looking at ways to balance safety with wearer satisfaction.

Importance of Breathability

For issues such as heat and cold, comfort science has much to tell us.  Our bodies naturally adapt by sweating or shivering when we become too hot or too cold. Our bodies can rise above a normal temperature due to hard physical activity or external factors like the weather. In these circumstances our circulation is increased and blood is pumped to the surface of the body. This triggers perspiration which acts to cool the body. This works well as long as the sweat generated has somewhere to go. If it can’t evaporate due to the nature of the clothing, workers stay hot and can feel uncomfortable. This not only results in loss of concentration but can lead to confusion, dizziness, even unconsciousness.

At the other extreme, being too cold leads to shivering, as our body’s way to warm us up. Again, cognitive and physical affects can be observed if we become too cold: loss of attention and poor muscle performance to name two. Where cold is concerned, the main requirements for PPE clothing are adequate insulation, windproofness and waterproofness. So, choosing clothing which incorporates wicking to take sweat away from the body and also protect from the effects of cold is essential consideration for comfort in relation to temperature.

Flexibility and Freedom of Movement

A garment that is flexible and fits well is more comfortable and should leave the worker unaware that they are being protected. In stressful and dangerous work situations, end users don’t want to be thinking about their PPE being too tight or too loose, nor should there be any opportunity for clothing to rub, chafe or for clothing parts to get caught in items such as loose cables within the work setting. Alarmingly, it is known that badly fitting or restrictive PPE tends to lead to workers wearing it incorrectly or discarding it altogether, making the situation more dangerous. Technical developments in PPE for electrical arc incidents must of course initially focus on safety, by considering the protective qualities of the fabric, such as multi-layering. Recent innovations have improved comfort through a more comprehensive range of sizes and greater suppleness and movement in the fabrics used. This means better ergonomics that allow for smoother, easier freedom of movement. A more mobile worker is better protected and a safe worker is more productive.

How weight reduction impacts on comfort

Along side fit and mobility, weight is a very significant aspect of comfortable PPE. Major progress have been made recently in reducing the weight of garments designed for protection. Textiles which are functional for Class2 arc fault protection can be extremely heavy weighing up to 650 g/m2, resulting in a final weight of a jacket of even more than 2 kilograms. Here again, feedback from wearers who have in the past found this kind of weight impedes comfort and therefore efficiency, has led to research into how lighter fabrics can deliver high-quality protection.  PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS technology is now able to make garments that are 50% lighter than previously available. As an added benefit, these garments are easier to look after, being machine washable and durable.

Getting comfort right

Workers in hazardous situations should not be impeded by the clothes they are wearing. Wise employers will buy the best PPE and ensure they are worn properly by consulting with and listening to wearers at all stages of the process. Safety should never be compromised, but the fine balancing act of protection versus comfort no longer needs to be in tension. As well as complying with stringent safety standards, employers can now offer workers lighter, less restrictive and breathable clothing. The implications and benefits are manifold. A comfortable worker is one who makes better decisions, works longer and more productively. They are less likely to lose concentration or to make mistakes that could lead to danger or to jobs being interrupted

Here, Miguel Calixto, Product Specialist for PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS Arc Rated Garments at GORE-TEX Professional, demystifies the requirements on PPE provision with some key points and facts about electrical arc protection.

1.    Thermal Arc Protection IEC 61482-2, this is the basic legal requirement for PPE in this sector and thus of crucial importance. It is the key standard that covers protective clothing against the thermal arc hazards of an electric arc. The IEC 61482-2 standard includes various aspects of garment design and employers must only procure PPE which carries this level of arc flash protection. In order for a garment to reach or exceed the requirements of this IEC standard it must pass one or ideally both test methods used for testing the clothing and material.  These can be separated into EN 61482-1-1 known as the Open Arc Test Method and EN61482-1-2 known as the Box Test Method.

2.    The Open Arc Test is a method for determining the Arc Thermal Protection Value (ATPV) of a garment, based on the Stoll Curve, which is itself a graph that shows the point at which greater protection should be provided in order to avoid injuries due to heat energy transfer levels. The ATPV shows how much thermal energy any arc flash PPE can withstand to avoid the wearer getting second-degree burns. Thus, the Open Arc Test produces an arc rating.

3.    ATPV/EBT Rating this is, simply put, a measurement of a fabric’s ability to protect an individual from a burn due to exposure to incident energy resulting from an arc flash. This thermal resistance rating is measured in calories per square centimetre. 
Arc Ratings are calculated using at least 20 data points and a logistic regression to determine the incident energy level of a 50% probability that there is enough heat transfer to cross the Stoll Curve (ATPV), or for the material to break open and create exposure, called EBT or the Energy Breakopen Threshold. The higher the numerical rating/value, the higher the level of protection.

4.    ELIM Value – this stands for Incident Energy Limit Value and has been added to the 2019 revision of the IEC 61482-1-1 Open Arc Test standard. The ELIM value is defined as the numerical value of incident energy attributed to a product below which all product responses are below the Stoll curve and without break open. The ELIM is calculated as the average the three highest incident energy data points just below the so-called mix zone. The “mix zone” is the range in testing between the lowest incident energy level that crossed the Stoll Curve, and the highest incident energy level that did not cross the Stoll Curve.

5.    Box Test Method is another method of testing using electrodes arranged in a particular order in a box to produce the electrical arc. This method of testing does not produce an arc rating per se. Rather, it determines the Class Rating of specific garments. Protective wear passing this test will be rated Class 1 or Class 2.  The Box Test standard defines two testing conditions, Class 1 and Class 2, according to different arc incident energy levels.

6.    Box Test Class 1 tests at an arc current of 4kA and a duration of 500ms. This classification is given when clothing material and material pass the test of lower level of simulated arc exposure which is carried out in laboratory conditions.  PPE at this level is the basic requirement and affords a lower level of protection to end users.

7.    Box Test Class 2, a higher test than Class 1, tests at an arc current of 7kA and a duration of 500ms, so PPE at this level is more secure. Class 2 is attributed to clothing material and clothing when both pass the performance criteria in laboratory conditions at the higher level of arc exposure.  Today, innovations are being made in regard to providing Class 2 PPE which is lightweight, breathable and provide comfort to the wearers, such as new Arc Rated PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS Protective clothing for everyday wear.

Understanding the levels of protection needed to ensure the adherence of the best and highest safety levels required for workers at risk of the potential dangers of arc related incidents need not be confusing.  Keeping up to date on the key terms, safety tests and new protection standards, mentioned here, is a firm step in the right direction.  It is always advisable to engage with established and trusted PPE manufacturers who will guide through wearer trials and the procurement process. 

Accidents are more likely to happen when the supplied PPE is discarded or used only intermittently. For instance, a jacket that retains sweat or a pair of boots that leak will soon be abandoned. Studies show that workers are more productive if they feel well protected and can move freely while wearing appropriate work wear. So, making sure that the wearer is motivated to use PPE is just as important as sourcing the very best PPE in the first place.

The following seven key aspects should be considered when selecting PPE:

1. Asking the wearer

A good place to start is with those who need to wear PPE. Sensible employers know the regulations but also make sure their workers are consulted on what is important to them in their PPE. User trials may focus on how effective the design is in keeping workers safe in high-risk situations, but the wearer will want a product that keeps their body comfortable. Too hot, cold, leaky or heavy and it doesn’t matter how good the product is in protecting against danger, the wearer is less likely to use it. Increasingly, workers demand that their PPE is comfortable as well as safe.

2. Latest technology and functional design

In a competitive market, designers and manufacturers now need to be spot-on in terms of developing the latest fabrics for protection in combination with wearer comfort. Increasingly there is wider availability of lightweight multi norm garments which protect against more than just the elements but also against additional risks, such as electric arc flashes. An effective example of this, Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® garments, offer Class 2 electric arc protection whilst being windproof, lightweight and comfortable for the wearer all day. A growing trend is the demand for stylish garments so designers must be innovative in balancing safety with functional style.

3. Providing an incentive to change

Even where currently used PPE is less than effective, some workers may be reluctant to try a new product. Wider acceptance can be aided via end-user trials or by hosting an Educational Roadshow, where the technology will be explained in detail and benefits of the new styles can be illustrated in a direct and practical way. In current conditions, this can be done safely online.

4. Availability

Once employers and end-users have selected their PPE, it is a smart move to work in partnership with suppliers to develop a speedy ordering and delivery system. A dedicated Cloud PPE Online Ordering System is used by some large-scale employers to ensure that products are delivered the next working day to the individual. 

5. Wash & Care for PPE

An important aspect is to care for the PPE. As garments get dirty and end-users sweat during work, the PPE must be washed in order to restore its performance. Employers should check if products are proven to withstand minimum 50 wash & care cycles and perform durably. Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® laminates are proven to pass 50 wash/dry cycles in both home laundry and industrial laundry processes.

6. Sustainability and the environment

Companies throughout the supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to retail selling, are eliminating or reducing the use of potentially harmful materials, to protect humans and the environment. Employers more and more check environmental programs of manufacturers and suppliers when sourcing PPE. They look for ISO standardised method for environmental assessment of products and services including ISO 14001 or Life Cycle Assessment (LCA – ISO 14040) but also adherence to standards such as Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX.

7. Wearer satisfaction levels

In the end, PPE is worn by real people in real working conditions. It is no false economy to ensure that very high satisfaction levels can be evidenced in the chosen safety wear. Comfort, style and thermal regulation in high performance fabrics must work together so that the end-user is happy, safe and protected to work long hours in the supplied PPE.

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages.  goretexprofessional.com