FAQ: Safety Workwear & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Quick Guide to Flame-Resistant Clothing

ATPVArc Thermal Performance Value. An ATPV of greater than or equal 8 calories/cm² gives us Hazard Risk Category 2 (HRC2) classification and is the benchmark for most facilities.

NFPA - The National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, creates and updates the standards used for personnel while engaging or around safety hazards.

NFPA 70EWork standard by the NFPA that encompasses aspects of electrical safety at work. It emphasizes the usage of FR Clothing.

NFPA 2112 - Certified by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Specifies performance requirements and methods of testing for FR Fabric and FRC Clothing.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269Guidance for complying with the safety apparel requirements. This includes allowable types of flame-resistant clothing and the employer’s judgment of the hazards.

ASTM F1506Standard performance specification for fire-resistant and arc-rated textile materials for wearing clothing for use by electrical workers exposed to quick electric arc and related heat/thermal hazards.


Quick Guide to Safety Toe Boots

Composite Safety Toe - Lightweight, good electrical resistance and keeps your feet warmer in cold climates due to insulation.

Steel Safety ToePuncture proof and costs less, but weighs more and doesn’t keep your feet as warm.

Alloy - Lighter than steel toe caps and meets major safety requirements.

D Width - The most common width for men's shoes, and is considered the same as Regular, Medium, or Standard width.

EE Width - Extra wide width descriptor.

ASTM F2413 - Standard specs for the performance requirements of industrial safety toe footwear.

EH Rated - Footwear with electric shock resistance that can withstand an application of 14,000 volts at 60 HZ for 1 minute with zero current flow or leakage current over 3.0 milliamperes in dry conditions.