Although the availability of flame-resistant (FR) clothing has increased in the past ten years, the rate of non-fatal injuries due to arc flash and burns has remained steady.
More than 2,000 workers per year are admitted to the hospital due to burn injuries at a rate of about 5-10 per day, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K as well as the NFPA 70E safety requirements detail the safe work practices for preventing arc flash injuries, including selecting the proper personal protective equipment.
PPE such as jackets, safety glasses and gloves can differ from year to year, changing in the areas of functionality, colors and styles. Workrite Clothing Co. has compiled a list of five trends a safety manager might see in 2017 when searching for the latest in updated FR workwear.
Click through the gallery to see what features and trends the company thinks will appear next year.