Welcome to the Westex Blog

Where we share our perspective on current trends, best practices, and the future of FR safety.

Como abordar erros humanos em atividades que envolvem eletricidade no local de trabalho

As indústrias utilizam avaliações de risco para definir e abordar os perigos encontrados nos locais de trabalho. A NFPA 70E norma de segurança elétrica no local de trabalho, classifica estes perigos identificados e utiliza a hierarquia de controles de riscos, que é composto  por um sistema abrangente com o objetivo de minimizar ou eliminar a exposição aos perigos, reduzir a probabilidade de ocorrência de um incidente e mitigar a gravidade do ferimento, criando um ambiente laboral mais seguro possível. Read More

A importância do treinamento para a correta utilização e manutenção das vestimentas antichama

Vestimentas de proteção resistentes à chama para riscos de arco elétrico e fogo repentino são uma parte muito importante para o estabelecimento de um programa bem estruturado de segurança do trabalho. Os trabalhadores precisam ser instruídos sobre a utilização correta para que possam se proteger adequadamente contra estes riscos no local de trabalho. Read More

Arc Flash Safety Updates at an NFPA 70E Workshop Near You

We’re passionate about educating the electrical industry on safety standards that address short-term thermal hazards, like arc flash and flash fire. It’s how we know we’re helping equip you with not only the industry’s leading flame resistant/arc-rated (FR/AR) textiles for personal protective equipment (PPE), but also helping apply these methods to provide maximum protection for your employees.

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NEC, NESC, NFPA 70E, and Arc Rated PPE: A Quick Look at Electrical Industry Standards

 

Throughout the electrical industry, consensus standards provide critical information advising how to safeguard employees facing arc flash hazards. These standards—NEC, NESC, and NFPA 70E—are all meant to guide safety initiatives, but which one is relevant for you? We break down each standard and what they mean for your workplace.

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Identifying and Reducing the Impacts of Combustible Dust Hazards

Combustible dust is a significant concern across various industries and with good reason. Combustible dust incidents can lead to serious property damage and cause life-threatening injuries. Analyzing your work environment and enacting preventative measures, such as robust housekeeping and engineering control protocols, can make all the difference. Even with these safety precautions in place, incorporating FR/AR PPE as the final layer of defense can help mitigate the risk of injuries should the worst happen.

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Sob medida: a importância das vestimentas antichama específicas para o público feminino

Até recentemente, não havia uma preocupação com a modelagem feminina das vestimentas antichama, estas eram de tamanhos maiores e pensadas prioritariamente para o público masculino, em outras palavras uma única modelagem em tamanhos diferentes. Desta forma, a força de trabalho feminina utilizava vestimentas inadequadas dia após dia em diversos setores da indústria, pois a modelagem era pensada apenas para a maioria da força de trabalho que por sua vez é  masculina. Esta era uma demanda constante principalmente em setores como petróleo e gás e concessionárias de energia. Embora isso tenha sido uma prática comum durante muito tempo, hoje em muitas indústrias há um enxoval feminino destas vestimentas. Read More

Caring for your FR/AR Garments: Three Vital Considerations

While properly wearing flame resistant (FR), arc-rated (AR) personal protective equipment (PPE) helps protect employees facing arc flash and short duration thermal exposures from fire, like flash fires, it is equally important to clean and maintain these protective garments. Proper care practices help ensure a PPE garment’s safety properties remain intact during its serviceable life. While there are a host of considerations when formulating a proper care routine, we share three key takeaways everyone—from your safety manager to your newest employee—should keep in mind.

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The Difference Between Inherent and Treated Fabrics, and What it Means for Your Safety Program

The FR industry certainly has its share of jargon, and especially when that jargon has little scientific background, it can lead to muddled and complicated decisions. In our white paper, What’s in a Word: Inherent Fabric, Treated Fabric, and What They Mean in the World of Flame Resistant Fabrics, we discuss two major industry terms—“inherent” and “treated”—and cover how these flame resistant (FR), arc-rated (AR) fabric classifications have evolved over time.

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5 Reasons to Implement FR/AR PPE Training

Flame resistant (FR), arc-rated (AR) personal protective equipment (PPE) is an important part of establishing a well-rounded safety program. Before donning their FR/AR PPE, however, employees need to be educated about their PPE garments so they can properly guard themselves against workplace hazards such as arc flashes or flash fires. Understanding how to wear PPE, what their PPE will help protect against, and how to care for their PPE is essential for end users’ safety. We rounded up five important reasons to train employees about their PPE.

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