In Iceland, volcano eruptions are more commonplace as the last one erupted just a few months ago. While these spectacular eruptions are a marvel to view the power of nature in action, the dangerous conditions created by these eruptions put first responders and others at risk of injury. Working in these and other extreme conditions, the Icelandic search and rescue force ICE-SAR is protected by GORE-TEX product technology and always ready to step in and do what is necessary to protect people. Watch the work of ICE-SAR captured through the lens of Siggi.

The local ICE-SAR team in Grindavík, close to an active volcano site, is busy night and day. With the help from teams all over Iceland, they respond to callouts in the area, undergoing rigorous search and rescue missions alongside other challenging tasks in the uncertain first few weeks of an eruption. These members of the Grindavík team are on a regular patrolling mission in the first days of the eruption.

Thousands of ill-equipped and inexperienced people hike into volcano eruption areas on a daily basis. Icelandic ICE-SAR teams respond to what can be multiple callouts a day, from sprained ankles to heart attacks and everything in between, the teams must face hazardous conditions to rescue these people. To this day there are ongoing, regular callouts, accidents, and missing people in the eruption area as the volcano keeps going and shows no sign of stopping. These heroes need equipment that compromises on neither comfort nor safety, which is why they don themselves in GORE-TEX product technologies, keeping those who keep us safe, safe.

During the first days of an eruption, there is usually a lot of uncertainty. With new craters opening up regularly and poisonous gas coming up and settling in the valleys and around the volcano, ICE-SAR's role is, amongst other things, to measure and monitor gas pollution and inform & educate the thousands of people hiking into the area every day.

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

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.”

Arc-rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® garments protect technicians from high-voltage current

The construction division of Samsung C&T is currently building the world’s largest semiconductor production line in Pyeongtaek, Korea, where the arc-rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® garment was adopted to ensure worker safety for parts of the facilities.

“Safety is the number one principle of management in Samsung C&T. We put priority on providing a safe workplace for our employees. Gore’s arc protective garment was selected due to the superior level of safety and comfort over alternatives.”

To make the final selection, a comparative assessment was conducted based on the feedback of workers exposed to the risk of accidents on site who tried out various options. The assessment covered characteristics such as protection, pleasantness, comfort, lightness, durability, and design. IEC certification was confirmed to see if performance met globally-accepted tests. Lastly, a series of tests were implemented before surveying demand and placing an order.

GORE-TEX PYRAD® stands out in flame retardancy, protecting the body from sudden threats of heat and flame

Technicians were very pleased with the arc protective garment engineered with GORE-TEX PYRAD® technology. They evaluated it to be much lighter compared to existing products, pleasant thanks to moisture permeation, and comfortable. Reliability of safety was another factor for satisfaction, arising from flame retardancy of details such as zippers and Velcro as well as rigorous testing. GORE-TEX PYRAD® also provide excellent tensile strength and color fastness to light and rubbing, making the garment protected against wear and tear, and discoloration.

Arc-rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® garment, the optimal protection against sudden electric arc and flame

According to Samsung C&T’s on-site safety manager, power is shut down before carrying out most electric work. However, workers and supervisors are required to wear an arc protective garment when wiring high-voltage electric switchboards in case of potential risk. On sites dealing with advanced processes, power is turned on in stages rather than all at once to manage wire load, requiring live wire work. An electric arc flash under such a situation will expose technicians to heat above 20,000 ˚C. FR garments and arc protective garments are required for live wire work with an open distribution board or switchboard to protect the technicians.

As verified under IEC 61482-1-1, GORE-TEX PYRAD® is heat resistant, minimizing the risk of skin burns. At the same time, it provides another level of pleasantness based on strong waterproof, windproof, and permeability performances. Users can enjoy great levels of comfort and freedom of movement with 45% lighter fabric over competitors. Furthermore, unparalleled durability based on strong wear resistance and color fastness provides longer life and protection.

Above all, the Gore solution offers improved thermal safety and insulation performance. Thus, the garment maintains its functions even after exposure to heat and flame. Enhanced thermal protection minimizes injuries such as burns. Flame resistance is the property to self-extinguish when flame or heat source disappears. It does not mean that the material does not burn. GORE-TEX PYRAD® is also self-extinguishing, without melting or dripping at high temperature. This is crucial given that dripping is the cause of burn for general synthetic textile. The outstanding thermal safety also helps maintain the lining intact in original form even when the other shell of a laminate is burnt.

The comparative analysis of conventional FR garments and the arc-rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® garment was conducted at the Hwaseong E-PTJ site of Samsung Electronics. Both were donned by workers for technical assessment on performance against electric arc flash, flame, and laminated fabrics. It was confirmed that the Gore product meets the IEC standards with its performance and improved features.

Working with electricity in any environment can be highly dangerous. SPIE technicians work at great heights on pylons supporting high-voltage overhead lines, maintain the electrical substations of regional network operators and install lighting or information systems on high ceilings. Operating giant data centres with their huge electricity consumption is no less dangerous. The work of these technicians can have potentially fatal consequences in environments in which they are at risk of exposure to arc flashes. Such incidents arise from electrical arching between two parts of an electrical system. They produce clouds of plasma reaching temperatures of 5,000°C, burning clothing and causing severe burns within milliseconds.

This is why workplace safety is such a major concern. “The company has two guiding principles,” explains Dr Oliver Polanz, head of HSEQ (health, safety, environment, quality) at SPIE Germany and Central Europe. “Firstly, optimising workplace health and safety through leadership, good discipline and a culture of change. Secondly, no compromising when it comes to workplace health and safety.” At SPIE, this also applies to their employees’ workwear: “In situations in which personal protective equipment needs to be worn, it should have an ergonomic fit and be as lightweight as possible,” says Oliver Polanz. “Wearer acceptance is incredibly important when it comes to protective clothing. People will only wear it, if they feel comfortable in it.” The fact that SPIE employees are given a say in health and safety issues is evident in the day-to-day workings of the company. The employees had become increasingly dissatisfied with their existing multinorm workwear. It had a poor ergonomic design and did not offer adequate protection in wet weather. Furthermore, it caused excessive sweating during strenuous work because of poor breathability. One of the outcomes was frequent workplace absences due to colds.

Lightweight: innovative arc rated waterproof garments

The company set about looking for a replacement for their existing foul weather workwear. They conducted a detailed analysis, held consultations with Iturri, their supplier, did their own market research and discussed the issue with leaders and works council representatives. Ultimately, a decision was made in favour of waterproof workwear equipped with the innovative GORE-TEX PYRAD® product technology. This technology is durably waterproof and windproof and thus ideally suited to outdoor work in wind and rain. In addition to the waterproof GORE-TEX membrane, it features two textile layers: the outer fabric with the PYRAD^® by GORE-TEX LABS product technology and an inner lining. This innovative functional fabric means that GORE-TEX PYRAD® protective garments provide the highest level of class 2 electric arc protection. A porous insulating barrier forms on the lightweight outer fabric made of polyester or polyamide within milliseconds of sudden exposure to heat, or the moment at which an electric arc incident occurs. This barrier blocks the convective heat flow during arc exposure and keeps the wearer safe. All this happens “in real-time”. But what makes this solution more comfortable for the wearer? When wet or dry, this innovative material is up to 45% lighter than previously available flame retardant waterproof fabrics. This results in a lightweight garment that is still highly breathable, waterproof and windproof. This is essential because SPIE technicians work outdoors, whatever the weather. They have even been known to work on pylons in wind conditions reaching gale force six.

This fabric technology also allows for the manufacture of protective garments that feature extra benefits to comply with additional standards, such as those covering high visibility, chemical resistance and antistatic protection. There are also all sorts of ways in which the protective clothing can be tailored to suit individual needs. Consequently, SPIE conducted several wear trials before going ahead with procurement. This saw GORE-TEX PYRAD® foul weather garments being tested in strategic areas of the business and at various times of the year. Garment manufacturer Iturri supplied SPIE with various prototypes, each time taking into consideration the suggestions of the trial participants. This approach has certainly led to more wearer acceptance. The new protective garments were either leased or purchased, depending on the needs of the different areas of the company.

For everyday wear: lightweight protective workwear with class 2 electric arc protection

Ordinary foul weather garments do not always provide the level of protection SPIE employees need to go about their work. “There are many sectors in which customers specify that our technicians must wear clothing that complies with the requirements of class 2 electric arc protection,” explains Oliver Polanz. “These workers can find themselves pushed to their limits, especially on hot summer days or in exceptionally hot buildings.” In such situations too much heat can build up inside the garment. In other words, not all foul weather garments produced for protection against electric arc hazards are entirely suitable for everyday wear.

Having seen how satisfied their employees were with the GORE-TEX PYRAD® fabric technology, SPIE decided to try out the same technology in a set of lightweight protective garments intended for everyday wear: when waterproof protection is not required. The first step was to run a series of field tests with arc rated PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS garments – a version of the smart technology developed for lightweight protective clothing for daily use. This material is windproof and extremely breathable. It can be worn in comfort all day long, even in dry environments and on warmer days. This is because body warmth does not accumulate inside the garment, not even during physically strenuous activities.

The ingenious thing about this technology is that, for the first time, a special membrane, the lightweight PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS - consists of three components in a one ply solution: the outer shell, a wafer-thin non-flammable ePTFE membrane with an incorporated PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS technology and a flame-retardant backer. As a consequence, the functional fabric feels thinner and is far more flexible than other options available in this sector. It weighs less than 330 g/m2 and is up to 50 percent lighter than previously available flame retardant textiles, offering significantly enhanced freedom of movement without compromising on protection.

Early field tests revealed that the SPIE workers were just as satisfied with this non waterproof version of the PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS product technology: “We had ten sets of clothing on the go. The feedback we received from our workers was overwhelmingly positive,” Oliver Polanz explains. The approach adopted previously with garment manufacturer Iturri had been so successful that the same procedure was used again. It took several months and multiple field tests before the new safety workwear, designed around the specific requirements of the company, was ready for production. These garments were also tested in a wide variety of typical working environments and weather conditions. Iturri manufactured a series of prototypes, each time in the required quantities and reflecting the suggestions of the test participants. Workers can now choose between two alternatives depending on the working environment: the lightweight arc rated PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS protective garments for day in day out use and, whenever necessary, the wet weather version, the arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® foul weather garments.

in Iceland, volcano eruptions are more commonplace as the last one erupted just a few months ago. While these spectacular eruptions are a marvel to view the power of nature in action, the dangerous conditions created by these eruptions put first responders and others at risk of injury. Working in these and other extreme conditions, the Icelandic search and rescue force ICE-SAR is protected by GORE-TEX product technology and always ready to step in and do what is necessary to protect people. Watch the work of ICE-SAR captured through the lens of Siggi.

The local ICE-SAR team in Grindavík, close to an active volcano site, is busy night and day. With the help from teams all over Iceland, they respond to callouts in the area, undergoing rigorous search and rescue missions alongside other challenging tasks in the uncertain first few weeks of an eruption. These members of the Grindavík team are on a regular patrolling mission in the first days of the eruption.

Thousands of ill-equipped and inexperienced people hike into volcano eruption areas on a daily basis. Icelandic ICE-SAR teams respond to what can be multiple callouts a day, from sprained ankles to heart attacks and everything in between, the teams must face hazardous conditions to rescue these people. To this day there are ongoing, regular callouts, accidents, and missing people in the eruption area as the volcano keeps going and shows no sign of stopping. These heroes need equipment that compromises on neither comfort nor safety, which is why they don themselves in GORE-TEX product technologies, keeping those who keep us safe, safe.

During the first days of an eruption, there is usually a lot of uncertainty. With new craters opening up regularly and poisonous gas coming up and settling in the valleys and around the volcano, ICE-SAR's role is, amongst other things, to measure and monitor gas pollution and inform & educate the thousands of people hiking into the area every day.