HEAD GEAR
FIRE-RESISTANT FABRIC & CLOTHING
HIGH-VISIBILITY WORKWEAR
EYE, HAND & EAR PROTECTION
SAFETY FOOTWEAR
Reflective Materials PPE Certification Protective Footwear FR Clothing Performance PPE Performance
2014 • Volume 1 www.head2toeprotection.com
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All reflective material
is not created equal
1 in 3 non 3M
Scotchlite™ Reflective Material garments are not bright enough to meet relevant safety standards, right out of the package, even though they are labeled as compliant*. ™
Ensure your garments are truly compliant look for the 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material logo.
3M.com/Scotchlite *Based on a study by 3M of 79 vests purchased on the open market (all using components other than 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material), 33% failed the ANSI 107 test for initial brightness. These data were verified by third party testing.
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Contents
Introducing
Head2Toe Protection
a magazine specializing in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Distributed at the NSC Congress and Expo free of charge, this magazine focuses on new developments and products in the following markets:
Head gear
Fire-resistant fabric and clothing
High-visibility workwear
Safety footwear Eye, hand and ear protection.
Take advantage of our contributors’ personal protective equipment (PPE) expertise to learn more about highvisibility clothing, protective footwear, PPE regulations, performance of fireretardant (FR) clothing, and performance of PPE—all here, in this first edition of Head2Toe Protection.
Industry News, p. 4 New Products, p. 6 Advertisers Index, p. 50
+
Reflective Materials p. 14 PPE Certification p. 18 Protective Footwear p. 28 FR Clothing Performance p. 38 PPE Performance p. 44
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News Williamson-Dickie Acquires North East Rig Out Global workwear maker adds to its portfolio
Williamson-Dickie (WD) has acquired North East Rig Out (NERO), a UK-based workwear manufacturer specializing in head-to-toe personal protective equipment (PPE) solutions for the oil and gas industry. The addition to WD’s global product and service offering gives the company an experienced and quality workforce, while NERO’s manufacturing resources and in-house value-added services —including design, embroidery and screen-printing—provide a full-service solution for petroleum customers. NERO’s products and services function in tandem with, and will incorporate logically into, WD’s existing assets. This acquisition will consolidate WD’s competitiveness in the European market. www.williamsondickie.com
Gentex Corporation Acquires Helmet Integrated Systems Addition expands international growth, product offering and service to global defense and security personnel
Gentex Corporation has completed the acquisition of Helmet Integrated Systems (HISL), an established provider of helmets, communications equipment and respiratory protection for civil, defense, security and industrial personnel. Gentex and HISL plan to combine their world-class products, technologies and manufacturing resources to provide customers with the most advanced, comprehensive lines of integrated helmet, respiratory and communications systems in the market. 4
The addition of HISL will accelerate Gentex’s international growth by providing immediate access to new markets, while access to Gentex’s business development, technology, manufacturing and quality engineering resources will strengthen HISL’s offering and support the growth of their brands in the global market. www.gentexcorp.com www.helmets.co.uk
Protective Clothing Market to Reach $8 Billion by 2018 MarketsandMarkets anticipates further increases for protection markets worldwide
A new report by MarketsandMarkets defines and segments the protective clothing market with an analysis and forecast of protective clothing market revenues. The report covers trends in the protective clothing market in five regions: North America, Europe, AsiaPacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. According to the study,
Spreading Germs: A Healthcare Uniform Approach Although many healthcare facilities offer laundering services for employee uniforms by a commercial, co-op or on-premise laundry, many employees choose to drive to and from work in their scrubs or lab coats and homelaunder their own uniforms. This practice increases the risk of germ contamination in the household, endangering the health of the employee’s family. But that is only the beginning. Home-laundering healthcare uniforms is considered an unsafe practice for many reasons. Firstly, employees bring home uniforms worn in an environment filled with germs and bacteria. Secondly, water used in home washers is never hotter than 120 oF, whereas in the commercial laundry setting the water temperature is set for 145 oF to 165 oF (the hotter the temperature, the less likely the bacteria will survive the laundry). Also, chemicals used in an industrial laundry setting are much more powerful than those used at home. Many healthcare facilities are realizing that there is a correlation between employees not wearing their uniforms outside of work and the health and well-being not only of their patients, but of the employees themselves and their families. As such, some healthcare facilities are starting to implement dress code policies stating that no employee can come to, or leave, work in scrubs, lab coats or any other work apparel. These new policies are often contested by healthcare professionals who consider it a nuisance instead of a safety factor. However, healthcare systems that have managed to implement such dress codes have seen a substantial decrease in sick days amongst their employees. www.superiorsurgicalmfg.com
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News “Protective clothing market revenues will grow to $8 billion by 2018.” — Marketsandmarkets
global trends and forecasts point to $8 billion growth in protective clothing market revenues by 2018, with a CAGR of 6% from 2013 to 2018. Government regulations for the protection of workers in hazardous environments, and the rapid industrialization of emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions will drive demand. Growing awareness of worker safety issues on the part of employers will also contribute to market growth. Long-term growth drivers include the use of advanced fabrics, such as phase-change materials, to increase the functionality and comfort of protective clothing. The high price of protective clothing is the major restraint in the market. Another factor is the decline in the employment rate due to the global economic slowdown. However, high activity in the oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing sectors will
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play a major role in the increased demand for protective clothing in the near future. www.marketsandmarkets.com
ANSI Updates Industrial Head Protection Standard International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) RECEIVES AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE (ANSI) APPROVAL FOR HEAD PROTECTION STANDARD
The new ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 standard was prepared by members of ISEA’s Head Protection Group and approved by a consensus review panel of technical experts, unions, construction industry and other user groups, test labs, certification agencies and government agencies. Workers are exposed to a myriad of head hazards each day. The update to the standard addresses various
safety issues in work environments that have never before been considered. Although the core performance requirements remain unchanged, key updates incorporate an optional preconditioning at higher temperatures of 140°F ± 3.6°F. The revision means wearers will get additional protection in especially hot environments. Head protection devices that meet the applicable product performance criteria after having been exposed to these higher temperatures during testing will now bear a unique mark for easy identification by the user. The markings for head protection that meets higher temperature performance requirements will be designated HT. In addition, the updates allow for flexibility and inclusion of emerging and state-of-the-art manufacturing materials for higher temperature protection. www.safetyequipment.org Head2toe Protection 2014 • Volume 1
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Products P&G and Whirlpool Introduce the SWASH™ 10-Minute Clothing Care System Breakthrough technology DE-WRINKLES, REFRESHES AND PRESERVES GARMENTS, WHILE RESTORING FIT
Consumers can now enjoy the benefits of SWASH, a revolutionary at-home clothing care system that reduces wrinkles, refreshes fabric, restores the fit lost after wear and preserves clothing—in just ten minutes. Designed by P&G and Whirlpool, the SWASH system can fit into a living space such as a bedroom or closet, and allows people to reduce or eliminate ironing, save on dry cleaning and better care for and preserve clothes. SWASH can be used on such fabrics as denim, wool, polyester, Lycra, cotton, cashmere, sequins, delicate beading and lace.
P&G and Whirlpool identified a number of trends that prompted the development of SWASH. They discovered that people are reluctant to excessively launder or dry clean their clothing for fear of damage. Also, people dislike the high cost and inconvenience of processes such as dry cleaning, ironing and steaming (people who dry clean at least once a month spend over $750 a year on the service, and 80% of consumers report that they don’t enjoy ironing). Charles Pierce, group president of P&G New Business Creation, states that the new system “gets clothes ready to wear quickly, effectively, easily and without requiring extensive resources. In the amount of time it takes one to shower, clothing will be ready to wear.”
The system plugs directly into a standard 120-volt wall outlet and requires no water, plumbing, pipes, vents, special hook-ups or professional installation. www.swash.com
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Registers Monster Silk® Trademark Monster Silk, a genetically engineered spider silk fiber, begins early stages of commercialization
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. has announced that Monster Silk, a genetically engineered spider silk fiber, is now a registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. While scientists have been able to replicate the proteins that are the building blocks of spider silk, production was stymied by technological barriers, namely the inability to form the proteins into a spider silk fiber with the desired mechanical characteristics on a costeffective basis. To solve these problems, Kraig acquired the exclusive rights to the patented genetic sequences of a number of fundamental spider silk proteins. Kraig has also been working collaboratively with universities where some of the
SWASH uses an integrated tension system to gently hold clothes in place, while an advanced spray technology applies a uniquely designed solution to the clothing from the SWASH PODSTM cup. Then, a rapid thermal drying function combines an express heat system with airflow recirculation to dry clothes quickly. 6
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Products most remarkable breakthroughs in genetic engineering technology have been made. Kraig believes that this genetically engineered spider silk, with its superior mechanical characteristics, will surpass the current generation of high-performance fibers. For example, the ability of this natural silk to absorb more than 100,000 joules of kinetic energy potentially makes it the ideal material for structural blast protection. Now that Monster Silk is a registered trademark, Kraig will be able to bring its revolutionary product to the marketplace. www.kraiglabs.com
Bullard Launches Personal Cooling and Warming Devices Spectrum Series® Full-Face Supplied Air Respirator receives NIOSH approval
Bullard has received National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) approval to configure its popular Spectrum Full-Face Mask Continuous Flow Supplied Air Respirator with personal cooling and warming devices that allow the user to adjust the temperature of the incoming air by 30° F or more. Users can choose from Bullard’s AC1000 and CT Series for cooling or the HC2400 and HCT Series for both cooling and warming. Spectrum’s low-profile, optically correct visibility, and superior comfort make it ideal for painting, spray foam insulation, and remediation work. The Spectrum continuous flow respirator also features:
• 1,000 Assigned Protection Factor (APF)
• Low-profile full face piece • Breathing tube connection allowing for easy downward head movement
• Excellent optics for the entire face piece lens; no distortion
• Double silicone flange providing a
secure, comfortable fit across a wide range of facial sizes and contours.
www.bullard.com
Ansell Combines Oil Repellency and Cut Resistance in HyFlex® Glove Series Revolutionary RIPEL™ Liquid Repellence technology and ansell GRIP™ Technology Deliver Unprecedented Performance and Protection
Approximately 60% of industrial workers performing primary assembly, metal working and stamping operations are at risk of coming into contact with liquids, including lubricants and oils which, when absorbed through the skin, can cause irritation and contamination of the body. To ensure both cut
NSA Introduces Carbon Armour™ Protection from Welding and Grinding Sparks, Molten Metals, and Much More
National Safety Apparel (NSA) introduces Carbon Armour inherent FR fabric technology for the welding and metals industries. The welding jackets and sleeves have exceptionally high resistance to pin holes, and superior tensile and tear strength. The Carbon Armour line provides unsurpassed breathability and drying rate, making it one of the most advanced moisture management flame-resistant fabrics on the market. These garments provide comfort while protecting against burns caused by sparks or welding spatter. Features include:
• FR fabric that will not melt, drip, or ignite • Inherently flame-resistance that will not wash out
• NFPA 70E-compliant • Meets OSHA 1910.269 a. www.thinkNSA.com 8
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Products
Bayer MaterialScience Brings Magic to Materials Company launches INSQIN®, a solution enabling product and manufacturing innovation as well as achievement of sustainability
protection and oil repellence, workers are often forced to double-up on gloves, resulting in reduced grip or flexibility. Ansell has introduced the first glove in the HyFlex product line to offer oil repellency, secure grip and cut resistance to address the risks that mechanical workers face in oily environments. The uniquely engineered HyFlex 11-927 glove features RIPEL Liquid Repellence and Ansell Grip technologies, combined with a cut-resistant liner and a higher dip lining. This combination provides high levels of protection while retaining dexterity for workers facing mechanical risks in slippery conditions. HyFlex 11-927 gloves comprise the following innovations:
• RIPEL technology creates a liquid-
impermeable layer in knit glove styles that prevents oil and lubricants from making even incidental contact with the wearer’s skin
• Ansell Grip technology is a coating
treatment that minimizes the force required to grip oily or wet tools or materials, reducing hand and arm fatigue and improving dexterity, safety and productivity. Long-lasting protection is achieved by combining a nitrile dip primary layer and a palm dip based on Ansell Grip Technology for abrasion resistance.
Bayer MaterialScience has announced the launch of Insquin, a sustainable technology for producing polyurethane (PU) coated fabrics for the footwear and apparel sectors. Each year, some 7 billion pairs of shoes, 2 billion bags and 1 billion garments are produced with PU leather and other PU coated fabric, an environmental and health hazard that puts a strain on local ecosystems and exposes workers to solvents.
Worker exposure to solvents needs to be addressed and pollution risks need to be minimized.
Insquin waterborne PU technology not only enables PU leather to be manufactured without solvent, but also reduces water consumption by up to 95% and energy consumption by up to 50% in the coating process. The social and environmental benefits of waterborne PU technology are particularly important in PU leather manufacturing, one of the largest sources of environmental and health hazards in clothing manufacturing. Globally, more than 4 billion square meters of PU synthetic leather are manufactured every year to meet fast-growing demand. China manufactures 90% of this figure, putting a heavy strain on its ecosystems. The technology’s environmental friendliness is matched by its versatility. Insqin offers a wide range of possibilities to enhance and transform fabrics, enabling them to meet and even exceed the design requirements of the fashion industry, and the performance requirements of the sports world. The new technology, Bayer MaterialScience hopes, will inspire brand owners to explore new possibilities in applications as diverse as PU leather, functional fabrics and high-performance printing, to name just a few. www.materialscience.bayer.com
www.ansell.com
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Products PPSS’s Toughest Cell Extraction Vest The market welcomes new addition to safety for corrections officers
PPSS Group has launched its toughest cell extraction vest, aiming at protecting corrections officers tasked with responding to incidents, riots, cell extractions, mass searches, or disturbances in prisons, possibly involving violent inmates.
PPSS’s cell extraction vest is designed using rigid body-molded panels made from a highly secret material.
This latest high-performance body armor has been tested in accordance with the stringent NIJ 0115.00 Level III (stab + spike) standard, the highest stab resistance protection level. PPSS Cell Extraction Vests offer the maximum level of protection around the entire upper body, extended neck area, shoulders and groin, while also offering the highest level of maneuverability. www.ppss-group.com
Recondo : A New Boot for Jungle Environments
The Recondo boot was developed in partnership with the USASOC.
This low-absorption, quick-drying and durable boot offers secure footing in multi-terrain regions. The boot boasts many features:
Designed for tropical environments, the footwear has been tested by army personnel and is Berry-compliant. www.bates.com
RENNLONTM Nylon: A 100% Bio-based Nylon Samples for the new product reach demonstration scale
Rennovia Inc. has announced that it has produced samples of what it believes to be the world’s first 100% bio-based nylon-6,6 polymer. The company had previously announced the production of bio-based adipic acid (AA) and biobased hexamethylenediamine (HMD) from widely available, renewable feedstocks, using its proprietary chemical catalytic process technology Rennlon. Over 6 billion pounds of nylon-6,6 (also known as polyamide-6,6 or PA66) are currently produced each year from petroleum-derived sources, representing a global market of more than $6 billion. Nylon-6,6 is a widely used high-performance engineering resin, used especially in the automotive market for its strength, light weight, and performance at high temperatures.
• Nylon webbing collar for increased comfort and flexibility
• 500 den Multicam® Cordura • Vibram® Mutant outsole for superior off-road traction
• Medial and lateral screened vents for
increased breathability and moisture management
• Wolverine® Warrior Leather resistant to water, oil and stains.
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Products “Practicing our AA and HMD processes at demonstration scale is the next important milestone for the company,” said Robert Wedinger, President and CEO of Rennovia. Production costs for Rennovia’s bio-based AA and HMD are projected to be 20-25% below those of conventional petroleum-based AA and HMD, with a significantly lower per-pound capital cost. Additional projected benefits include an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional petroleum-derived AA, and a 50%
reduction in GHG emissions compared to conventional petroleumderived HMD. www.rennovia.com
Technical Absorbents Launches K-Sorb New fabric provides unparalleled levels OF SWEAT ABSORPTION AND RETENTION
Technical Absorbents Ltd. (TAL) has officially launched its new and improved K-SorbTM fabric (formally KoolSorb),
Massif ® Debuts Performance Apparel Line for Oil, Gas and Utility Markets Massif Core FR™ line INCORPORATES protection and performance in industrial workwear
Massif is now offering a line of clothing designed to meet the needs of industrial markets such as oil, gas, and utilities. The Massif Core FR line is constructed with the company’s proprietary FR fabrics, which have been approved for aviation and combat use in every branch of the U.S. military. Every product in the Core FR line meets stringent industry-specific arc rating requirements and FR specifications, while simultaneously enhancing the performance characteristics needed by workers in the field. The company has engineered FR clothing with the comfort, functionality, and fit of the world’s best outdoor gear. Multidimensional stretch increases comfort and range of motion, moisture management and breathability improve thermoregulation, and strategic seam placement makes for better fit and functionality. The gear has been field tested in the harshest environments. Products in the new Core FR line range from extreme cold weather gear to extreme hot weather gear, and include base layers, mid layers, outer layers, and t-shirts. www.massif.com 12
designed to contain body perspiration while maintaining the durability and washability of the original material. K-Sorb contains the company’s patented Super Absorbent Fibre (SAFTM) and provides the wearer with a cool, dry feeling even during physical activity. This super absorbent fabric rapidly absorbs sweat from the body thanks to the composite structure of the K-Sorb material. The sweat is locked away within the highly absorbent core, reducing any sensations of wetness and clamminess the wearer might feel. In addition, a waterproof outer layer reduces the risk of back perspiration transferring onto outer garments, keeping the rest of the user’s clothes dry and fresh. The fabric is designed to absorb up to 10 times its own weight in sweat during use, and the fabric is fully washable, allowing for repeated use. Where normal evaporation is limited or prevented, such as under heavy protective wear or within a sealed environment, the ability of the material to absorb and retain many times its own weight in sweat allows the
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Products user to maintain a cool, dry feeling for an extended period. www.techabsorbents.com
Gold Award for Avon Protection Deltair™ Research and Design Team wins big
Deltair, a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) designed for the fire service industry, has been recognized with the GOLD International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) for the research that went into the product’s development and design excellence. Avon’s design team worked directly with firefighters to establish requirements and deliver a world-leading SCBA system approved to the new NFPA 2013 standard. The product they developed uses a completely new platform, unlike others that simply
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add adjustments to existing and dated products. The revolutionary Deltair offers superior air management, singlepower supply, clearer communications and optimal weight distribution for firefighters and other first responder teams. The ergonomic design of this advanced SCBA evenly distributes the weight of the cylinder on the firefighter’s hips, which alleviates pressure on the back and shoulders, minimizes the risk of fatigue and increases a firefighter’s ability to maneuver in tight spaces and challenging environments. The low-profile mask design provides the greatest field of vision in the marketplace, which is critical when firefighters are navigating dark, smoky environments. www.avon-protection.com
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Hi-Vis
Surprising Facts
‌about the way we see
Kim Kocer Global Marketing Operations Manager Body Protection Solutions 3M Personal Safety Division
How reflective materials can provide critical protection for pedestrians, construction workers, law enforcement personnel and others While reflective products enhance visibility, no reflective product can ensure visibility or safety under all possible conditions. Here are some aspects to be considered when evaluating reflective materials.
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Hi-Vis Seeing white clothing at night
Needing more light to see as we age
A study evaluated drivers’ responses to obstacles and found that drivers moving only 30 miles per hour may travel more than 500 feet in the time it takes to recognize and properly maneuver their cars in response to an obstacle. At 60 miles per hour, that distance doubled to more than 1,100 feet. However, the United States National Safety Council has shown that a pedestrian wearing a white shirt may not be visible to drivers until they are within 300 feet of a moving car1 (Figure 1). When pedestrians were wearing dark clothing, their visibility decreased to only 70 feet. While white clothing is an improvement over dark clothing, clearly, white clothing alone cannot give pedestrians the level of protection they need against drivers.
Seeing becomes more challenging as we age. After the age of 20, a person’s need for illumination doubles every 13 years. For example, by age 59, a person will need up to eight times as much light to see the same level of detail as they did at age 20. This has critical implications for the safety of pedestrians, construction personnel, law enforcement personnel and others as they share the road with drivers.
Seeing clearly and in full color It’s easy to believe we see everything clearly and in full color. However, Figure 2 compares the way we think we see and the way we really see. We have two distinct visual systems: foveal vision and peripheral vision. Our foveal vision is in full color and high resolution, and is useful for examining highly detailed objects. It covers only the middle 2° of our visual field. Our peripheral vision is in low resolution and is used to observe our environment. We have surprisingly low visual
Figure 1
resolution in the parts of the visual field that are not in the center of our gaze. However, we don’t notice this because we instinctively direct our center of gaze at a specific object or in the direction we want to look. Because our peripheral vision is more sensitive to motion and contrast, pedestrians need reflective material on movement locations to stand out and help get a driver’s attention. We all suffer from a condition called “change blindness,”2 which occurs when we try to take in a whole scene, and too much information is sent for our brain to process at once. Since we can only focus on a narrow area, we may not notice some changes right away, such as an unexpected pedestrian darting out into a roadway. While visually scanning our environment, we are purposely turning our gaze from the direction we are looking in towards items that appeared first in our peripheral vision. High-visibility products can prove effective because they are more noticeable in our peripheral vision, meaning we are more likely to turn our gaze and see them.
Distance required for drivers to respond to an object on the roadway
Pedestrian at night, with dark clothing (70 feet)
Pedestrian at night, with white shirt (300 feet) Detection/Recognition
30 mph
Decisions/Response Maneuver car 60 mph
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Distance in feet
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Hi-Vis Figure 2 Change blindness
Why are fluorescent colors easy to see? Fluorescent colors like neon yellow capture our attention. But why are they easy to see? Conventional colored materials absorb visible light energy and reflect back visible light in the primary wavelength of the color we see. Fluorescent materials behave differently. They not only absorb visible light, but also ultraviolet light, which we can’t see, and emit the ultraviolet light energy at a longer wavelength, which we can see. As a result, more light energy comes off the surface than we can see going into it. The extra light captures our attention in our peripheral vision and causes us to turn and look at the fluorescent object. The fluorescent phenomenon is noticeable in the daytime and most noticeable in limitedlight conditions like dawn and dusk. However, fluorescence needs light to function so it is not effective in ensuring pedestrians will be seen at night.
If you take a look at the bottom picture, you will see the sharpness in the center of the figure. This represents our foveal vision, while the remainder of the photo, which appears blurry, represents our peripheral vision.
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Seeing people due to reflective materials Our brains are wired to recognize human motion. When we see moving objects, we can tell that they are people if certain points of the body are outlined. These points on the body are called “biomotion points.” Based on the pattern created by these key points in motion, we can not only distinguish humans from inanimate objects, but also determine if the person is male or female, and perceive something about their mood: happy or sad. The most effective high-visibility garments take advantage of our ability to recognize human motion by placing reflective material on the biomotion points. In darkness, reflective materials properly placed on garments help identify objects as people. A study compared the placement of an identical amount
of reflective material in various patterns on clothing worn by workers at night. The most effective material placement followed the human form and marked the limbs or parts of the body that have the most movement, like the ankles, wrists and torso.3 In addition to marking the motion points, reflective materials should be placed on the front, back and sides of garments to give the wearer 360o of visibility. For optimal visibility, high quality and higher brightness, reflective materials meeting high-visibility standards should be used and follow the recommended 15.5 in2 of material per view (front, back and sides). Designs incorporating both fluorescent materials and reflective materials can, therefore, help provide 24 hours of visibility.
How bright is bright enough? The ability to notice reflective garments is based on a combination of the total amount of light returned by the garment and the position where the reflective material is placed on the body. The total amount of light is a combination of the brightness of the material and the amount used. Assuming the reflective material is in the right places, such as on biomotion points, how bright does it need to be to be effective? We naturally assume that the brighter the material, the easier it will be to see. However, the scientific principle of Stephen’s Power Law proves that this is not always true: a luminance perception does not increase in a linear manner. Instead, the perception of bright objects increases sharply at first, but then levels off. In practical terms, this means that materials need to be three times as bright to be noticeably different. When comparing a 30RA
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Hi-Vis material typically found in active wear with one that is 300RA, the 300RA is 10 times brighter so it will be much more noticeable. At higher brightnesses—often found in high-visibility workwear—, the perception curve levels off, yielding diminishing returns. The same difference at higher levels— between a material that is 500RA and 770RA, for instance—will not be significantly easier to see.
3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material uses retroreflection technology, which incorporates thousands of microscopic beads or prisms into the reflective material. In low light, when the 3M material is illuminated by a light source such as vehicle headlights, it returns light rays back to the vehicle driver.
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3M works with authorized manufacturers of converted products to meet their reflective material needs. 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material comes in a variety of forms for maximum design and application flexibility, including transfer films, fabrics, high-gloss materials, pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) films and graphic transfers. All of them have the visibility, washability and durability needed for excellent reflective performance.
Request third-party certificates These examples show that there are many reasons to protect pedestrians, runners, construction workers, law enforcement personnel and others by using reflective material on their garments. However, a certification such as the ANSI 107 label does not always
mean garments are bright enough to meet relevant safety standards. An independently verified test evaluated 79 safety vests purchased on the open market. Each vest was labeled as meeting ANSI 107-2010, but test results showed that one out of three vests failed to meet the initial brightness requirements of Table 4 or Table 5 of the ANSI 107-2010 standard.3 Garment manufacturers should thus always request third-party certificates from accredited laboratories.
1. National Safety Council, Walk Alert National Safety Program, 1989, FHWA RD 022-89. 2. http://psychology.about.com/od/ cognitivepsychology/f/change-blindness.htm. 3. Balk, Stacy, and others. “Highlighting human form and motion information enhances the conspicuity of pedestrians at night.” Perception. Volume 27. 2008. 1276-1284. Page 88.
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PPEs
Certification
of PPE in North America and Europe Joe Waters, MBA, PE Engineering Manager Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) UL LLC
Keith Mowry Manager UL Accreditation Services
Workers and consumers around the world benefit from the increased use of PPE to protect them from everyday dangers, like helmets for skiing, or high-visibility clothing for police officers and construction workers, 18
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PPEs Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is clothing or accessories worn to minimize the risks associated with mechanical, electrical, fire, thermal, chemical, biological, water, impact, fall and other hazards. Unlike other products that are designed to be safe, such as radios, lamps and toasters, the wearing of PPE is a conscious decision made by the person who dons or holds the equipment because he or she realizes that there is a potential risk associated with the activity or work in which he or she is engaged. We could probably devote an entire article to the psychology of PPE wear, but for the time being, we will focus on the following:
The history and origins of certification
The need for PPE certification
The certification request and process
The product certification process
The European Conformity Assessment Program
The CE marking
The PPE Directive
The future of PPE certification.
The History and Origins of Certification To tell the story of certification is really to recount the history of Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This organization provides the knowledge and expertise to help customers navigate growing complexities across the supply chain, from compliance and regulatory issues to trade challenges and market access.
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Conducting business in more than 100 countries with its 152 laboratories and 11,000 employees, UL outreaches to almost one billion consumers each year, and has written close to 1500 standards for safety. The familiar UL mark appeared on 23 billion products in 2013. To find the sources of certification in the United States, we go back to 1894, when an engineer by the name of William Henry Merrill opened the Electrical Bureau of the National Board of Fire Underwriters (UL), and conducted his first test on a noncombustible insulation. At about the same time, in 1896, the National Fire Protection Association was also founded, which is now responsible for much of the PPE certified in the United States and Canada. By 1899, UL had issued more than 1000 test reports. And in 1905 the first certified products were made available: a fire extinguisher and a set of multi-colored Christmas tree lights. But reporting test results is just one part of the certification process. Having published testing and performance requirements, usually referred to as testing standards, and having a means to verify that products continue to comply with the test report are also critical in the certification process.
We have all seen old photographs of men sitting at the top of an impossibly tall skyscraper eating their lunch, with no protection if they were to fall. Today, seeing roofers and construction workers with fall protection harnesses is much more common—and for onlookers, much more reassuring.
An effective certification system can be described as having the following three elements:
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PPEs
The testing and evaluation by competent testing and certification organizations, typically accredited to internationally recognized ISO standards for testing, certification, and follow-up A system to check that the product is manufactured in accordance with the standard and the requirements of the certification organization.
The Certification Request and Process UL is referred to as a third-party, independent certification organization. The term “independent” means that the organization has no shareholders or other entities that might influence its decisions as to which products receive or do not receive certification.
areas of confusion is the difference between testing and certifying a product—in other words, the difference between a test report and a product certification. An International Standard1 makes a clear distinction between the concepts of “testing” and “certification”. The colloquial meaning of “product certification” is a third-party demonstration that a product fulfills specified requirements. Only the organization that controls the manufacturing of the product can implement this type of control.
The “second party” is the authority having jurisdiction. This can be a local, state, or federal agency with the power to enforce compliance, an insurance company with the ability to require its clients to comply, or a retail outlet that states that it will only accept products that are certified. The “first party” is the manufacturer of the product that needs to be certified. The manufacturer learns about the need for certification and then works with a “third-party” certification organization to have the product tested and certified to the applicable requirements. It then has the product checked at the manufacturing location for continued compliance. Product certification is NOT a control mechanism, nor a means to GUARANTEE that each item of the same product meets the specified requirements.
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The Product Certification Process There are many activities associated with certification of products, and confusion sometimes arises about what they are and how they differ from one another. Among the more common
Product certification is expected to provide assurance that specified requirements are fulfilled for those individuals and organizations that regulate, distribute, sell or use the product. The demand for assurance arises from the consequences for acceptance interests of non-compliance with the specified requirements. Individuals and organizations expect product certification to provide assurance for all individual items of the same product covered by the certification. In order for product certification to provide assurance on an ongoing basis, it must commonly imply the following:
The certification process is controlled by a third party whose
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PPEs interests are neither those of the manufacturer nor those of the acceptance interests
The contract between the certification body and the manufacturer creates obligations for the manufacturer to fulfill requirements for all individual items of the same product covered by the certification
The information and results of the initial evaluation of the product against the specified requirements undergo a separate review for suitability, adequacy and effectiveness by individuals not involved in the evaluation process
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The certification body makes a formal decision that an effective demonstration of fulfillment of specified requirements has been completed The certification body is responsible for the decision and must defend it (and its ongoing validity) as needed in the market and in legal proceedings.
The certification body performs surveillance activities to assure the ongoing validity of the demonstration of fulfillment of specified requirements (e.g., periodic product retesting, audits of manufacturing processes or management systems, inspection of manufacturing locations, etc.).
There is a similar relationship between inspection and product certification, and between auditing and product certification. Both inspection and auditing can be a part of product certification. As stand-alone activities they lack a number of product certification’s characteristics and address different levels of assurance needs.
All these characteristics are included in product certification so that acceptance interests can be assured that the specific requirements for the product are covered by the certification.
The European Conformity Assessment Program
However, none of the above characteristics is necessarily a part of product testing, and most are not usually tested. Testing involves applying a test methodology in a controlled manner to a sample and measuring or observing the results. A test report identifies the organization performing the testing and provides information on the methodology and results. Testing is frequently a part of product certification, but testing alone provides a different level of assurance that specified requirements are fulfilled. Testing is intended to provide information only about the samples tested. When assurance demands are higher and product certification is demanded, testing is generally not sufficient.
In many ways, the European Conformity Assessment Program is very similar to the certification system in the United States and Canada: it is intended to allow users to access products that have been tested and/or certified to minimum standards of safety, where applicable. The mechanisms in place to achieve this aim are based on prevention of new barriers to trade, mutual recognition and technical harmonization. Therefore, the commercial launch of a product can only take place when it complies with the provisions of all applicable technical harmonization legislation, and when conformity assessment has been carried out in accordance with that legislation. The manufacturer has an obligation to ensure that a product intended to be placed on the EU market is designed and manufactured, and its conformity assessed, to the essential requirements of the applicable legislation. Conformity assessment includes activities such as testing, inspection and certification, all aimed at determining that a product fulfills the relevant
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NSC Congress & Expo: Sept. 15-17, 2014, Booth #1851 FISP Fireshow: Oct. 8-10, 2014, Booth #547
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The CE marking indicates a product’s compliance with EU legislation and so enables the free movement of products within the European market.
PPEs requirements of the applicable technical harmonization legislation. To comply, the manufacturer or the authorized representative established within the EU must draw up an EC declaration of conformity (DoC) as part of the conformity assessment procedure. The EC DoC should contain all relevant information to identify the legislation it is issued under, along with the manufacturer; the authorized representative; the notified body, if applicable; the product; and, where appropriate, a reference to harmonized standards or other normative documents.
Not all of these products require the same level of conformity assessment or surveillance. As such, the PPE Directive defines three categories of products:
Simple design (Category I). Gardening gloves, thimbles, seasonal clothing, etc. This category typically relies on what is referred to as self-certification to the applicable requirements.
PPE that is neither simple nor complex, sometimes known as intermediate (Category II). Personal flotation devices fall under this category. This category requires that a notified body issue the CE mark certificate, but surveillance is not required.
Complex design (Category III). Garments, gloves, helmets, footwear and fall protection for use by first responders, etc. This category typically requires some sort of factory surveillance.
together to ensure that new products are made available, but only in a manner that advances the protection of the PPE wearer.
1. ISO/IEC 17000:2004 – Conformity Assessment – Vocabulary and general principles. 2. http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/ single-market-goods/cemarking/index_en.htm
The Future of PPE Certification The CE Marking By affixing the CE marking to a product, a manufacturer declares, on its sole responsibility, that the product meets all the legal requirements for the CE marking, which means that the product can be sold throughout the European Economic Area (the 28 member states of the EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein). This also applies to products made in other countries that are sold in the EU.2
The PPE Directive The PPE Directive covers products as simple as gardening gloves and as complex as hazardous material garments. 24
Fortunately, the need for certified PPE continues to be strong as more and more nationally adopted standards are published, and regulators recognize the need for PPE certification to the minimally acceptable requirements provided in the standards. Certification is an important part of the PPE market. It provides a means by which users can be assured that the products they are donning or holding to protect themselves have met the minimally acceptable levels of safety as written in nationally recognized consensus standards. New technologies will require that the organizations writing standards, the manufacturers and the certification organizations continue to work
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Footwear
Olivier Vermeersch, Ph.D. Vice President CTT Group NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Innovative Technical Textiles
Justine Decaens, B. Eng. Project Leader CTT Group
Protective footwear Characteristics and Requirements
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)1 has demonstrated that nearly 75% of accidents take place when safety shoes are not worn. Optimizing the aesthetics and comfort of protective shoes to persuade workers to wear them is vital.
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Developing innovative products that combine comfort with protection would go a long way to reducing the number of workplace accidents.
shoe body Outer Cover – Membrane Leather is commonly used for shoe covering, most notably for its mechanical properties. Yet protective shoes are worn continuously for long periods, generating humidity that causes considerable discomfort to the user. New “breathable” membranes2 are starting to appear that drain sweat to the outside more effectively. Microporous membranes, such as Gore-Tex® or HigH2Out® by Sympatex, offer both waterproofness and optimal humidity management. Some shoe manufacturers even offer their own humidity optimizing technology. Chip-A-Tex™ by Chippewa, KEEN.Dry™ by Keen, HyperDri™ by Lacrosse and Dry-W™ by Red Wing are a few examples.
incorporate antibacterial agents to inhibit odor formation in the shoe. Finally, a new generation of 3D textiles, such as Honeywell’s Poromax®, is also finding a wider audience because of their superior comfort and optimal shoe ventilation and aeration.
Apex Mills’ 3D textile for the shoe sector
Inner Liner and Padding Before the humidity can reach the outer surface, it must first cross the shoe’s inner liner and padding. The lining will therefore be made from absorbent capillary-active material, often in microfiber form (e.g. Mark’s Driwear® technology). Honeywell3 has opted for natural bamboo fibers for humidity absorption with its new product Healthtech®. Some companies, such as PowerFootwear’s Dri-Lex® products,
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Sizes and Shapes For many years, the shoe size chart was based on measuring foot length and width—variables now inadequate for defining a shoe style and shape properly adapted to the foot. Some manufacturers are now beginning to incorporate the angular position of the foot sole, and toe length, offering a range of different shoes for each foot size.
Honeywell’s Sperian safety shoe.
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Footwear Protective Toe Caps With their mechanical protection against crushing hazards, toe caps have long been made from metal, primarily stainless steel. For the sake of user comfort, new aluminum toe caps have been produced to reduce added weight to the shoe. Manufacturers are now focusing on composite toe caps, often based on polycarbonate and carbon fibers, as reinforcement. These are even lighter and have a much weaker thermal conductivity than metal toe caps—no small advantage in a cold climate.
HigH2Out® humidity management technology
Composite protective toe caps: polycarbonate / carbon
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Inner Sole These are often manufactured from polyurethane (PU) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Polymer is often injected directly into the shoe for better cohesion between the sole’s various components, a procedure that is nonetheless restrictive because the sole cannot be made from a single polymer. New production methods now enable soles to be made from four different polymers depending on the areas of the foot under strain. Foam inserts are also incorporated in the insole to provide better shock absorption. Examples are Poron® technology; AirFeet® which incorporates massage areas to maximize comfort; and MEGASoles® by MEGAComfort. Their designs, specially
approved by chiropodists, reduce the user’s sensation of fatigue in the joints (knees, hips, etc.) and back. Insoles are also designed to provide proper ventilation inside the shoe. Perforations are made in the upper part of the sole, as illustrated by Meramec’s Ultron®.
Intermediate Sole Intermediate soles have thermal insulation properties and offer the greatest protection against punctures. For years, these components were made from metal to stand up to mechanical constraints, but new aramid and polyurethane soles have been developed to address weight and flexibility problems. For thermal needs, Thinsulate® is widely used commercially. Other technologies, such as Heat Trapolator® by Keen, have similar properties.
Outsole The outsole is one of the shoe’s most complex elements because it must meet different criteria, including abrasion resistance, anti-slippage, electric shock resistance, temperature resistance, and more. Rubber is primarily used4 to make this part of the shoe, although products with EVA (Ethylene
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Footwear – Vinyl Acetate) soles are also occasionally found on the market. EVA soles are more flexible than rubber soles, but generally have less mechanical resistance. Soles in Vibram® rubber are an example of the high-performance products currently available in protective shoes. In certain specific cases—if there is a risk of the sole coming in contact with high-temperature areas, for instance—Nitrile may also be necessary.
Protective footwear requirements According to the U.S National Safety Council (NSC)5, every year, over 200,000 workers suffer injuries to their feet. Most of these accidents are caused by either trips and same-surface falls, or situations of impact to the top of the foot or toes. The most common
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injuries are sprains and bruises, but these can lead to work stoppages of four to seven days, depending on the profession, which represent a major loss for companies. The Code of Federal Regulation: 29 CFR 1910-136 established by OSHA6 (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) ensures proper compliance of the protective footwear provided to workers—carpenters, electricians, mechanics and others—to protect them from the hazards of their trade.
Standards in Force For nearly 60 years, the ANSI Z41-1999 standard was the reference in protective footwear. Since 20057, the ANSI Z41 decision-making committee has been merged with the ASTM F13 committee on protective equipment, giving rise to two new standards: ASTM F2412 and ASTM F2413. These two standards describe, respectively, the test methods
Ultron® perforated soles by Meramec
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Footwear for, and performance requirements of, protective footwear.
ASTM F2412 provides detailed testing procedures for evaluating protective footwear. ASTM F24138 states the minimum requirements for safety footwear based on the tests prescribed in ASTM F2412. ASTM F2413 has two sections. The first part covers two mechanical tests (impact and compression resistance) that are mandatory for a shoe to be certified compliant. The second part of the standard offers additional tests according to profession and the hazards the worker is exposed to. The ASTM F28929 standard is also available in cases where the worker requires protective footwear against specific hazards (electricity, puncture, etc.), but no mechanical protection against impact and compression. In these cases, footwear is considered soft toe due to the lack of reinforcement at the toes.
Up until 2005, tests for dielectric resistance (F1117) and chainsaw cut resistance (F1818) were grouped under standards F2412 and F2413. These have since been withdrawn from the prescribed tests and are now covered by their own standards.
Standards ASTM F609 and ASTM F2913 evaluate slip resistance of safety shoe soles, based on a measurement of the coefficient of friction (COF).
Properties Evaluated and Test Methods Impact resistance: The impact resistance test is characterized by the reduction in the height of the toe area of footwear where there is reinforcement. 32
Impact is applied with a force of 75 ft-lbf. After the test, the height of the shoe must be at least 0.50 inches10 for a men’s shoe for the test to be validated. Compression resistance: In the case of the compression test, the part of the shoe protecting the toes is subjected to a pressure increasing at a rate of 50 lbf/s until it reaches a maximum of 2500 lbs. Similar to the impact resistance test, the inner height of the shoe is measured according to the same criteria, namely, a minimum of 0.50 inches for a men’s shoe. Metatarsal impact resistance: This impact resistance test is identical to the one performed on the toe part. The only difference is the position of the point of impact, which is higher up on the shoe—exactly 3.5 inches from the toe end of the shoe for a man. The force of impact here again is 75 ft-lbf, but acceptance criteria are higher, with a minimum height of 1.0 inches. Puncture resistance: A shoe’s puncture resistance is determined using an intermediate sole placed between the outsole and the insole. This component must first be tested separately from the rest of the shoe to verify its resistance to flexing according to the testing procedure described in the CAN/CSA Z195 standard. A minimum of 1.5 million flexes must be performed without noticeable delamination or cracking. If the intermediate sole is of metal, a corrosion resistance test will also be performed in accordance with the ASTM B117 standard. Finally, the puncture test involves pressing a steel point into the outsole at a constant speed of 0.393 inches per minute until it reaches a force of at least 270 lbf or the insole is punctured. Visual examination of the insole will determine if there is a puncture or not.
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Footwear Mechanical protection is one thing, but footwear must also offer adequate protection in cases where the worker is exposed to electrical hazards. Electrical conductivity: The shoe is placed on a stainless steel plate, which constitutes the first electrode. The second electrode is inserted into a metal sphere and placed inside the shoe. A 500 V current flows through a resistance of 100,000 Ω and through the shoe for 30 seconds, during which time the value of the shoe’s electrical resistance is reported. It must be at a maximum of 500,000 Ω to validate the test.
Heat Trapolator technology by Keen
Electric shock resistance: An electrode device made from a metal plate and spheres placed inside the shoe is also used in this test. Increasing voltage is applied between the two electrodes at a rate of 1000 volts per second until it reaches 18,000 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz for one minute. No flow or leakage of current higher than 1.0 mA in dry test conditions must be detected. Static charge dissipation: The test for static charge dissipation consists in placing a human subject on a stainless steel plate and measuring the current flowing through his body when his hand comes in contact with a metal
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bar. The metal bar is itself subjected to 50 volts and has a reference protective electrical resistance of 1 megohm. The resistance deducted from the current measured through the individual’s body must be higher than 1 megohm, but lower than 100 megohms. Slip resistance: Though they are not part of the ASTM F2413 standard, there are also test methods for slip resistance, which come under the F609 and F2913 standards. In F609’s case, a portable tribometer, such as the Brungraber Mark II, is required. Though widely used, this category of device has many limitations, including the wide variation in results between types of devices. It is also recommended that it be tested beforehand according to the ASTM F2508 standard in order to verify and calibrate the equipment. Furthermore, the sample representing the sole is small in terms of surface and is a relatively uniform structure, which is rarely the case with safety footwear, whose rear studs are often more marked. The ASTM F2913 standard refers to a complete test bench that evaluates the entire shoe sole. The equipment was initially developed by the British research centre SATRA in the 1970s.
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Footwear The test takes into account friction at the heel and toes and of the flat shoe on two types of surface: ceramic and steel. Though more complex and comprehensive, this test method still fails to define a minimum COF value because numerous other factors come into play in the slip phenomenon. The results, moreover, can only be used in a comparative study of footwear tested on the same equipment, as values from different devices are not always reliable. Research is ongoing into how to measure this phenomenon more objectively.
Labelling and Logo The label certifying footwear compliance must be printed or sewn on both shoes. The logo has three lines. The first line states the number and version of the standard used to test the shoe. The second line indicates who the shoe is designed for (M: male – F: female) and its impact resistance (I/75) and compression resistance (C/75), the two minimum tests required to meet the ASTM F2413 standard. The third line is used to denote additional properties tested: EH for electrical shocks resistance, PR for puncture resistance, etc. (Source: ASTM F2413) Paradoxically, no testing method specific to protective shoes is available to evaluate user comfort, for considerations such as shock absorption, nonirritability, thermal comfort, flexibility or breathability, even though these are the features that manufacturers optimize and promote. In this respect, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has established a “Comfortable Safety Footwear” certification system, while SATRA has developed a “Comfort Index” that defines a shoe’s overall comfort level based on a series of tests
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Footwear that include pressure distribution tests, thermography and more.
it is also a good idea to find a hard, uncarpeted surface in the store to walk on in order to properly evaluate stability and shock absorption. Last, but not least, don’t forget to inspect protective shoes on a regular basis, especially the outsole to check the studs’ degree of wear.
1. 2. 3.
Example of labelling on footwear meeting the ASTM F2413 standard
4.
J. Goodwin. 2005. “A cure for common foot hazards.” Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). SIKA Footwear. “Technical Terms.” Available at http://www.sika-footwear.dk/. Consulted July 10, 2014. Honeywell. “Safety Footwear.” Available at www.honeywellsafety.com. Consulted July 10, 2014. Safety Footwear International. 2014. “Finding The Best Work Shoes for Your Requirements.” Available at http://specialtyfootwearinternational.com/. Consulted July 10, 2014.
5. A. Amendola, H. Hsiao, J. Powers, C. Pan. 2010. “NIOSH strategic goals to reduce fall injuries in the workplace.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 255 pages. 6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Available at www.osha.gov. Consulted July 9, 2014. 7. W. Ells. 2005. “New ASTM International Standards supersede ANSI Z41 Protective Footwear Standards.” ASTM International News Release (#7115). 8. ASTM International. 2011. “Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear.” ASTM International, ed. West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. 5 pages. 9. ASTM International. 2011. “Standard Speci fication for Soft Toe Protective Footwear (Non-safety / Non-protective toe). ” ASTM International. West Conshohocken, PA. 4 pages. 10. ASTM International. 2011. “Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection,” ASTM international. West Conshohocken, PA. 17 pages. 11. www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/footwear/ Pages/10-Points-for-Purchasing-ProtectiveFootwear.aspx
in conclusion The industry is demonstrating its commitment to innovation, improving the comfort of protective shoes and, in so doing, making them more popular in the workplace. Users today can choose from a multitude of products offering all kinds of advantages. In the absence of a standard to evaluate products’ overall comfort/ safety ratio, choosing the right pair can be difficult. The main elements11 to remember when buying a pair of safety shoes are, first, to properly know the work environment and the risks that come with it. Next, when trying on the shoes, it is essential that they be at least as thick as those worn every day at work. Moreover, once they are laced, the user must be able to move his toes freely and feel comfortable right away because there is no adjustment period for protective footwear. Ideally, 36
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FR
Performance Evaluation of
fire-retardant
Fabrics and Clothing
Richard Burke Vice President, Thermal Systems Measurement Technology Northwest
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FR
When considering a high-performing fire protective ensemble, what characteristics come to mind? First and foremost is protection from flame and heat hazards, but minimizing discomfort and heat stress must follow closely. The following discussion will provide technical insight into the methods and use of the TPP (thermal protective performance) and flame manikin systems to assess protection levels, and the sweating guarded hotplate and sweating manikin to evaluate the physiological impact of an ensemble. Functional garment performance is jointly affected by the design of the garment and by the components the garment is comprised of. It follows naturally that testing methods must also consider both the componentlevel and system-level performance. Furthermore, tests can be categorized as either properties tests, intended to quantify intrinsic material properties, or performance tests, designed to demonstrate performance in end use. Figure 1 illustrates this in a matrix showing increasing relevance and utility of the experimental results moving from upper left to lower right.
Unraveling the TPP mystery: ASTM F2700, F2703, ISO 17492, NFPA 1971, NFPA 1977, NFPA 2112 The TPP test device is designed to measure component performance, residing in the lower left quadrant of
Figure 1. Navigating the history, terminology, and multiple test methods associated with TPP can be intimidating. The TPP testing device exposes a fabric sample to a combined radiant and convective load via quartz tubes and direct flame. Energy transmitted through the sample during exposure is measured using a copper slug calorimeter. However, depending on which standards you follow, your TPP device might be measuring the HTP, TTI or TPE, and these may or may not actually be a measure of protection at all. Simple, right? The most important distinction between TPP methodologies is the criterion used to determine when exposure will end. The duration of exposure is typically based on comparing the transmitted energy to an empirical performance curve, commonly known as the Stoll curve, which estimates the energy required to generate seconddegree burn injury. Both ASTM F2700 and ISO 17492 specify that the heat exposure be terminated when the transmitted energy crosses the Stoll curve. This simulates exposure to heat until second-degree burn occurs.
In contrast, ASTM F2703 uses the same test apparatus, but modifies the exposure termination to consider the energy stored in the test sample. It has been widely reported that many burn injuries occur as energy absorbed by the protective garment continues to heat the skin. Under F2703, the sample exposure time is iteratively adjusted until the total energy during and after exposure just intersects the Stoll curve. The exposure time as determined by the ASTM F2703 test method will always be shorter than ASTM F2700/ISO 17492. This fundamental difference between ASTM F2700 and F2703 is why the term “thermal protective performance” has been redefined as heat transfer performance (HTP) by ASTM F2700, and thermal performance estimate (TPE) by ASTM F2703. The HTP is most representative of historical TPP measurements, but the TPE is more representative of actual performance against seconddegree burn injury. Choosing the best test methodology is primarily driven by regulatory compliance and the specific standards or protocol required. To illustrate, NFPA 1971 (Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting) and NFPA 1977 (Standard
Figure 1 – Components and System Test Methods Matrix Component thermal property measurement Component performance testing
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Increasing relevance
System thermal property measurement System performance testing
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FR on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting) both incorporate minimum TPP ratings for garments or ensemble components. Both of these standards reference the experimental method from ISO 17492, modified for heat flux units (cal/cm2/ sec) and exposure heat flux (2 cal/ cm2/sec) from ASTM F2700. NFPA 2112 (Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel against Flash Fire) has been rewritten to incorporate the HTP measurement and method guidance from ASTM F2700 directly. This is a subtle difference, so it is imperative that anyone specifying and performing the tests have a detailed understanding of the experimental parameters and calculation of results beyond simply referencing a test method.
Flame Manikin – From component to system testing All flame-resistant garments certified to NFPA 2112 must be tested in accordance with ASTM F1930 to evaluate total body area burn prediction.
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While it’s an oversimplification to describe the flame manikin method described by ASTM F1930 as a TPP test for a full garment, the fundamental measurement concept is similar. The TPP apparatus exposes a component sample to a controlled amount of energy for a finite time and measures performance relative to burn injury. The flame manikin system exposes a complete garment ensemble to a controlled flash fire simulation for a fixed duration and measures locations and severity of burn injury over the entire body. Flame manikin systems use a more sophisticated analysis than the TPP, since the results must include both predicted second- and third-degree burn injury, Optionally, they should also include pain threshold and first-degree burn for each sensor on the manikin. Manikins
typically include 100 to 150 or more individual sensors distributed over the body surface area. The flame manikin test is designed to evaluate the complete garment system. Lower-percent burn area indicates higher garment performance, with a maximum permissible burn area of 50% (excluding hands and feet). The results of the test include quantitative results of burn severity and location, plus subjective and visual observations, including post-exposure burn duration of the garment, shrinkage or cracking of garment, and smoke generation. The facilities and safety systems required to operate this test are expensive, but the results obtained and lessons that can be learned are critical for garment systems designed to protect wearers from burn injury.
Understanding the THL test – insulation and vapor permeability If protective garments were only about external flame and heat hazards, ensemble design would be simple. Use reflective surfaces to reduce radiant loads, and add lots of thermal insulation to protect against high convective environments. Unfortunately, this design approach increases heat stress, putting users at higher risk during extended use. Enter total heat loss (THL), as measured on a sweating hotplate according to ASTM F1868 part C. THL is actually derived from two separate measurements: thermal resistance (Rcf) and apparent water vapor resistance (Refa ). Equation for total heat loss (Qt)
(Qt) =
10 oC
+
3,75 kPa
Rcf + 0.04 R + 0.0035 a ef
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FR
No experimental method can be fully representative of the wide range of possible exposure scenarios. The calculated total heat loss is the amount of heat that a sweat-saturated person at 35 oC skin temperature could lose to a 25 oC, 65% RH (relative humidity) environment while wearing the test specimen. The left-side term in the equation represents the “dry” component of heat loss, based on a 10-degree temperature difference, the measured sample Rcf, and an estimated air layer resistance of 0.04 m2C/W. The right-side term represents the “evaporative” component of heat loss based on a 3.75 kPa vapor pressure differential, the measured Refa
and an estimated air layer evaporative resistance of 0.0035 m2kPa/W. To meet the minimum THL threshold of 205 W/m2 required by NFPA 1971, a fire protective ensemble must balance both dry and evaporative heat loss components to optimize protection and breathability. Figure 2 illustrates the sensitivity of this total heat loss calculation to thermal and apparent evaporative resistance. A typical sample is compared with imbalanced theoretical scenarios to show the sensitivity of THL to thermal and evaporative resistance.
Figure 2 – Typical vs. Theoretical THL, Dry and Evaporative Components Dry Evaporat. Total heat Rcf RefA heat loss heat loss loss Sample type (m2 C/W) (m2 Pa/W) (W) (W) THL (W)
Typical Thin, impermeable Thick, highly permeable
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0.14
0.02
56
152
207
0.0001
100
249
0
249
5
0.001
2
793
795
Full body THL – full ensemble testing on a sweating manikin Where the flame manikin test provides a quantitative measure of full-ensemble protection, a sweating thermal manikin offers broad capabilities to measure ensemble properties and characterize performance at the system level. Although thermal manikin testing is widely used in the design and competitive benchmarking of ensembles, it is not currently incorporated into certification for protective clothing. For the protective clothing market, there are three relevant testing methods:
ASTM F1291, Standard Test Method for Measuring the Thermal Insulation of Clothing Using a Heated Manikin
ASTM F2370, Standard Test Method for Measuring the Evaporative Resistance of Clothing Using a Sweating Manikin
ASTM F2371, Standard Test Method for Measuring the Heat Removal
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FR Rate of Personal Cooling Systems Using a Sweating Heated Manikin. The dry manikin test of ASTM F1291 measures insulation, while the sweating manikin test of ASTM F2730 measures vapor permeability. These results are the ensemble-measured equivalent of sweating hotplate results (Rcf and Refa ) when evaluated with the same environment conditions. Thus it is possible for a sweating thermal manikin to calculate a whole-body THL, which represents the area-weighted average total heat loss. Thermal manikins are frequently used to supplement human simulation studies. For a given garment and environmental condition, a segmented thermal manikin will consistently measure the heat loss by body region. When used prior to human experiments, they can offer valuable insight into experimental methods and potential results, and increase the likelihood of a successful human subject experiment. When manikins are used in combination with human trials, the data generated provides better quantitative measurements of environmental conditions. Following the completion of human experiments, further analysis of the thermal manikin measurements can help to clarify the varying (and sometimes confounding) data results gleaned from human subjects.
We must accept that laboratory tests will be a simplified or idealized representation of the end use, and then understand the basis of design for these tests. Testing methodologies and instruments are continuously evolving to better represent the property or performance metric needed. By thoughtful and deliberate application of TPP, flame manikin, sweating hotplate, and sweating thermal manikin testing, garment designers and users can gain valuable insight into the component properties and functional performance of flame-resistant garments and ensembles.
Sweating thermal manikins have traditionally been used only to measure dry and evaporative resistance, but are increasingly being used to simulate human wear trials. Advanced manikin technologies and regulation methods are continually improving thermal manikin physiological realism, providing another tool to evaluate product performance.
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PPEs Jacek Mlynarek, Ph.D. President & CEO CTT Group
Valério Izquierdo, B. Eng. Laboratory Director CTT Group
Analyzing Performance of
Personal protection equipment (PPE) 44
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PPEs
Personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) are used in a multitude of sectors and have applications in a wide range of fields at work and in a recreational context.
PPE may be defined as equipment that is designed to protect an individual from an external aggression that may pose a danger to the person or to a part of his body. The concept of personal protective equipment is best understood when contrasted with collective protective equipment (CPE). A pair of earplugs, for instance, is a PPE against noise, while a sound enclosure on a machine is a CPE. The dangers PPE protects against include physical, chemical, thermal, electrical and biological hazards, and airborne particles.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to provide their employees with the PPE necessary to their safety. This specialized equipment can only be determined after the proper risk analysis has been completed. A number of standards and specifications exist to define workwear with properties specially designed to protect
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the person who wears them. In the United States, standardization organizations issuing these specifications include:Â
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
PPE refers to protective clothing of any kind, be it helmets, protective goggles, gloves, boots or any other element worn by the worker to protect himself from bodily injury.
These organizations first determine the testing standards— by describing the principle of a given test, detailing the measuring equipment suitable for it, specifying the preconditioning of the samples, indicating the number, dimension and orientation of specimens and, above all, describing the testing procedure and defining the calculations required. They then indicate the kind of information that must be included in the analysis report issued at the end of the test. The standard test methods nonetheless avoid giving any indications of performance level. The performance criteria are defined in standard specifications. These documents list a series of testing methods and define the acceptance value for each measured property. Head2toe Protection 2014 • Volume 1
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PPEs A specification standard can even call for a number of testing methods in succession. It might involve a flame resistance test (standard test method ASTM D6413) for example, carried out after five washings (standard test method AATCC 135), as found in the NFPA 1971-2013 edition, or specification standard CAN/BNQ – 9415 – 370, for hockey players’ neck protectors, which includes a cut resistance test, a marking permanency test and assorted legal information. The NFPA 1977 standard issued by the National Fire Protection Association for fire line workwear worn by forest firefighters includes flame resistance, thermal protection and durability tests (resistance to 100 washings!). Upstream of the standardization organizations are the specifiers, i.e. the prime contractors that determine the performance levels necessary for different PPE applications. Such strategic decision makers include:
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH)
New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
New York City Police Department (NYPD).
High-visibility safety clothing Right now there are three main specification standards used to describe high-visibility safety clothing: the American standard ANSI 107-2010, the Canadian standard CSA Z96-2009, and the European standard NF EN 471-2008.
High-visibility safety clothing must offer 360o visibility at all times. By day, these clothes must have fluorescent colors, i.e. colors that emit visible light when a molecule is
The textiles, fabrics and materials used to produce this specialized apparel must fulfill a number of functions and meet multiple quality requirements.
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PPEs excited (generally by the absorption of a photon) when lit by invisible UV-type light. At night, elements with a certain retro-reflective coefficient are required. When a light beam hits them, the elements send it back in the general direction of the source, whatever the angle of the initial ray.
Protection for electricians There are no fewer than 16 standardized specification methods for ensuring safety in a work environment that poses potential electrical dangers. In the case of clothing, the principal properties evaluated are:
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Performance in case of an electric arc (measurement of heat transfer through a material when it is exposed to electric arc energy ASTM F 1959)
Flame resistance (ASTM D 6413)
Break and tear resistance (ASTM D 5034; ASTM D 1424)
Water-tightness of textiles and sealed seams for rainwear (ASTM D 3393)
Colorfastness after washing (AATCC 61)
Dimensional change / resistance to washing (AATCC 135).
The main danger to look out for in an electrical environment are electric arcs, which consist of a self-maintained gas conduction in which most charge carriers are electrons produced by primary electron emission.
Protection against Flash fire This type of PPE is commonly used in hydrocarbon-related industries, including oil extraction (drilling and tar sands), mineral extraction, oil processing (refineries) and transportation (transporting flammable materials is linked to the risk of accidental fires). The principal properties measured in the NFPA 2112 standard are:
Vertical flame resistance (ASTM D 6413)
Heat resistance and thermal shrinkage
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In fact, selecting the right pair of protective gloves has proven to be a delicate compromise between the protection required by the worker and an assortment of functionality- and comfort-related considerations.
Heat transfer performance (ASTM F 2700).
Predicted body burn (ASTM F 1930).
The ASTM F 1930 test evaluates a garment’s heat and flame resistance on a life-size manikin, with predictions of second- and third-degree burn surface. Using a standard design garment, the test compares the performance of textile blends so that the best formulations can be developed and selected. The test can also be used as a way to develop special garment design for specific applications—hence improving thermal protection on some critical body locations.
The principal properties measured are:
Dexterity (ASTM F 2010; EN 420)
Puncture resistance (ASTM F 1342)
Cut resistance (ASTM F 1790; EN 388; ISO 13997).
Naturally, over and above the test, a hands-on evaluation period is necessary to make sure the glove is suitable to the worker, to the task at hand and to the working conditions. Incidentally, it is highly unlikely that a glove will ever be able to offer maximum protection against all potential risks without affecting a worker’s ability to perform tasks that require a certain manual dexterity.
For every professional or recreational activity that involves a risk, there is a specific PPE. It is vital that manufacturers and clients understand the testing methods used to measure this equipment’s protection capacities and know the specifications adapted to each use or field of application. In the short to medium term, we can expect PPE to incorporate new, more effective fibers with specific characteristics responding to precise needs. We can anticipate the development of new structures that combine comfort with a high level of protection. We can also expect new and durable fire-retardant treatments, new multifunctional textiles and new products with integrated nanotechnology and smart technology. At the same time, we might hope to gain access to intelligent PPE maintenance programs to better maximize its effectiveness and lifespan. The future is promising for those developing and manufacturing PPE and its components. Now, with the necessary standards and specifications in place, industry is poised to seize new opportunities in this very exciting field.
Protective gloves When a need in protective gloves has been identified, the protection level required is based on the level of risk and on the probability of exposure to that risk. Commonly used standard specifications are NIJ 99-114, ANSI 105 as well as EN 388.
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The majority of the standard test methods listed in this article are examples of tests performed by the CTT Group (www.gcttg.com).
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Legal Notice Head2Toe Protection is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. With the acceptance of an article for publication, the right to publish and translate is transferred to Head2Toe Protection. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by any means (including electronic, mechanical or photographic), without the prior written consent of the publisher. Photos © 123RF: Roman Milert, Piotr Marcinski, Andrei Kovalev, Buchachon Petthanya, 18percentgrey, Jozef Polc, Dipressionist, Filmfoto, Marina Zlochin, Andriy Popov, Zoran Orcik, Auremar, Temistocle Lucarelli, Pavlo Vakhrushev, Elena Elisseeva, suwatpo, Moodboard, Kokoro Yuki, Sergey Mironov, Ievgenii Biletskyi, Aleksandr Novikov, Tanatat Ariyapinyo. © iStockphoto: BartCo, Alex Kosev, Andrew Howe, Andrey Popov, Ilustro, A-Digit, Ad Doward, Levesquec, Darrenp, Joni R. Publisher Jacek Mlynarek, CEO CTT Group 3000, Boullé, St-Hyacinthe, QC Canada J2S 1H9 Tel.: 450 778-1870 Fax: 450 778-3901 info@gcttg.com www.gcttg.com Editor In Chief Olivier Vermeersch Tel.: 450 778-1870 overmeersch@gcttg.com
advertisers index 3M ScotchLite
800-328-7098
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Block Bindings
514-381-7493
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Cansew
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CTT Group
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Doubletex
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Guillemot
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IFR Workwear
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Measurement Technology
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Midwest Quilting
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Royer
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Stedfast
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Superior Glove
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Tek-Knit Industries
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Textiles Monterey
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Vibram
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Corresponding Editor Daniel Bertrand Tel.: 450 778-1870 info@gcttg.com Advertising Ann Langlois Advertising Sales Manager Tel.: 450 778-1870 Fax : 450 778-3901 alanglois@gcttg.com Accounting Christina Savard Tel.: 450 778-1870 csavard@gcttg.com Translation Text2texte Tel.: 450 349-1010 phr@text2texte.com Design Ateliers Prêt-Presse Tel.: 450 460-5246 pretpresse@videotron.ca Board Of Directors France Doire (Ville de Montréal) Guy Pelletier (Fintex Mécanique & Procédés) Nathalie Houde (Cossette) Roger Sylvestre (Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe) Jacek Mlynarek (CTT Group) Olivier Vermeersch (CTT Group)
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HEAD GEAR
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