Flame resistant clothing and heat stress

For people who work in hazardous work environments, flame resistant clothing can be a life saver. The fabric used to make flame resistant clothing fights the destructive effect of fire and therefore is recommended for people working in this kind of environment. This keeps them well protected during their time at the workplace.

But there can be a possible flipside to this as well. It is called heat stress. Because of the tremendous heat generated in such situations, the body is susceptible to heat stress, if the right FR clothing is not chosen. The FR clothing selected needs to be lightweight and allow breathability. The FR clothing chosen should have features like moisture wicking fabric so that the ill effects of heat stress can be avoided. Let us take a look at some of the FR clothing options available which can push back heat stress.

FR Coveralls - This type of FR clothing covers the body completely, hence is a popular choice. Usually the other accessories used along with coveralls are gloves, hoods, and base layers (below the clothes or coverall). Many of these coveralls have side vent openings with snap closure, and are made of breathable material to reduce the probability of heat stress.

FR Shirts - Often the workplace has a situation where only the upper body of the workers are at risk from molten material or other high heat situations. In that case, a fire-resistant shirt is also a good option. Because the rest of the body is not covered with FR material, it is less prone to heat stress. Additionally, these FR shirts also look smart, so they can be paired with any trousers or jeans.

FR HiVis - Sometimes the people working in such hazardous environments need to be visible to others from a long distance. The fire-resistant high visibility jackets and shirts can help serving this purpose, without the risk of heat stress.