ECN Forum Forums Safety Discussion and News Occupational Safety Discussion company new uniform POLYcotton blend

one thing to remember is this...it all boils down to money...the lower the price of the contractor, the more work, the more men, but the less money to spend on frivilous things like safety.

as an employee, realize that you are paying for all of that safety gear. you are paying for it by producing enough revenue for the company to pay for it. If you don't produce the revenue, where does the money come from.

ITO is a union contractor, many of you were union employees, but how many were union contractors? nothing better then 60-80 guys who feel entitled to tell you every day what you should give them. Important things get lost easily in the barrage of nonsense.

just a different point of view...

Zog, thank you for an excellent post!

It is true that "electric work" encompases a very wide range of work, and some contractors are exposed to dangers that others only read about.

As for road crews ... sad to say, but there are cretins out there who actually AIM at flaggers (we've had them killed by drivers screaming 'get out of my way!'), I have had stuff tossed at me by passing cars, as well as one guy who thought it was cute to stick a tire-iron out his window. (He missed).

Now, I've recently purchased some work clothes. Here's a summary of the pricing I saw:

Cheap poly/ cotton: $15 (trousers)
Heavy duty cotton: $20-30 (includes jeans)
Trade-specific: $30-50
Fire resistant (rated): $80

The burn risk aside, I have no doubt that the $20 heavy-duty work pants will last a lot longer than the cheap, dangerous $15 pants. It will likely be more comfortable as well.

Zog, for clarification yes, of course I take off the "walking into someone's corporate offices" shirt before I put on the FR shirt. Also wear Cotton underwear, and FR pants.

I've never had anyone begrudge me the time to change, any more than they would a mechanic donning a set off coveralls.

"Just the flagman were dressed this way"

The crew is state bid Low ball CONTRACTORS

there are mandatory requirements in most of the plants here and therefore the stuff is supplied by the shop and failure to wear it can get you fired
.....at one plant 100%FRC is on the list all day long while you are on the premises which is very uncomfortable in their boilerhouse in August.

my preference is "Hoosier Casual ".a green FR jacket and Carhartt® bibs , unless I'm only terminating, or working a nice, quiet commercial job....

on a personal note, I finally drug up from the foundry rat hole and am as happy as a clam, at a coal burner pulling fiber and installing new PLCs.
where, I must wear .....hard hat ,safety glasses, hearing protection and I added leather gloves and a reflective stripe on my HH ......and CANNOT work without a partner

Sounds alot like TVA togol. Except for the reflective stripe on my HH. No complaints though.

[This message has been edited by Luketrician (edited 12-14-2006).]

Luketrician,

I have a little roll of the stuff, seems to work pretty good, especially up in the coal bunkers

FYI, there are FR reflective vests available with Cal/cm2 ratings.

It is a recognized hazard (wearing of synthetic blend clothing, in any layer - outer or under) while performing any energized electrical work.
NFPA 70 E -2004 Article 130.7 (C) (15) Clothing Not Permitted. Clothing made from synthetic materials such as acetate, nylon, polyester, rayon, either alone or in blends with cotton shall not be worn.
See also 130.7 (C) (11), (12), (13), (14), & (16)
OSHA can cite this under 1910.335 (a), and also under the general duty clause 5 (a)(1) of the Occupational safety and health act and reference 70E.
Furthermore if and employer is fully aware of these requirements and the recognized hazard yet still issues this type of clothing to its electrical workers it could result in a "willful" OSHA citation. The OSHA area office having jurisdiction would be very interested in this company.

John,

Actually it has been my experience that the FR cotton jeans and shirts only last about 1/2 the time that regular clothes do. I am not sure if this is a result of the FR treatment or if they weaken the fabric so that is wears out before the FR treatment does. They say that the FR treatment lasts the life of the garment.
Don