When the 2018 edition of NFPA 70E went into effect, many within the industry took time to explore how the standard changes would affect both employers and workers. There are a number of articles you can turn to on the subject; indeed, even Westex by Milliken has penned a few...
Read more
Unexpected arc flash and short-duration thermal exposure from fire hazards, also known as flash fire, are a daily reality for electric utility and oil and gas workers. To help keep workers safe on the job, industrial personnel require ongoing hazard protection in addition to specific attire for certain tasks. Everyday...
Read more
The updated NFPA 70E can be explored through the lens of parties impacted. Through analyzing party responsibility, safety engineers and managers can make informed decisions to comply. As an industry standard, NFPA 70E outlines elements of an electrical safety program to protect workers from high-risk electrical hazards they come into...
Read more
Electrical workers face the risk of unexpected arc flash incidents throughout their daily operations by the very nature of their job. The right apparel can offer protection and peace of mind. When arc flashes occur, the most severe injuries often are the result of non-flame-resistant clothing igniting and continuing to...
Read more
After surviving an arc flash accident, which landed him in the hospital and required an extensive recovery process, Brandon Schroeder keenly felt the value in sharing his story. Not only was it a poignant narrative, but it also drove home the fact that an arc flash accident impacts more than...
Read moreToday’s #70EChat, hosted by NECA and Westex by Milliken, brought the electrical industry together to discuss the ever-evolving world of electrical safety. Exploring the 2018 edition of NFPA 70E – and more importantly, what that means for electrical contractors – the #70EChat raised important questions, offered new perspectives, and opened...
Read more
Last month, Westex by Milliken joined the industry in one of the largest safety conferences in the U.S. – NSC Congress & Expo. It is an opportunity to be immersed in the industry - gleaning information, learning the latest developments and experiencing products in-person. For us, it is also an...
Read more
When Dan joined an American company as Environmental Health and Safety Manager, his team leader and Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Robin, immediately informed him that the field employees, had a high exposure to arc flash over the course of their daily operations. The company’s 1,500 field technicians interact...
Read moreLast year, a Los Angeles County jury found Qualcomm liable for $7.1 million[1] in damages as a result of a burn incident. Qualcomm, a telecommunications equipment company, was found negligent in an electrical fire incident, where a third-party contractor suffered third-degree burns while servicing electrical equipment on the company’s premise....
Read more
Burn injuries resulting from arc flash, flash fire or combustible dust hazards can be life threatening or worse, life-ending. Both the temperature and duration of the exposure directly impact injury severity. In honor of National Electrical Safety Month, this blog post takes a look at the impact of a burn to...
Read more
The best way to enforce NFPA 70E is through company policy for your employees and customers. Companies should look at all aspects of NFPA 70E to determine what policies are needed and what policies they want to create and enforce. The purpose is to set forth procedures for the safe...
Read more
Each May the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) commemorates National Electrical Safety Month (NESM) to raise awareness and educate the public on critical electrical safety topics. EHS Today reported in 2015 that, “Workplace electrical incidents result in another nearly 300 deaths and more than 3,500 injuries every year. Although not...
Read more
When it comes to arc-rated and flame resistant clothing, there’s a science behind peace of mind, a science to feeling good, and a science to coming home safe. When it comes to the science of being safe, of caring, we are all in. Westex by Milliken is proud to be...
Read more
Starting later this year, a new arc flash testing laboratory in Brazil will begin testing to ASTM and IEC standards for flame resistant fabrics, garments and rainwear, face shields and gloves. Petrobras, the largest multinational energy corporation in South America, has partnered with the Energy and Environment Institute at the...
Read moreAccidents are just that, they happen by chance and not on purpose. In fact, after an accident workers are often heard saying how safe a particular electrician “always was”… until the day he or she wasn’t. Accidents where workers think energized circuits are dead claim the lives of electricians every...
Read more
Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as arc rated FR clothing, is a critically important part of every electrical safety program. It should be used as the last line of defense, meaning it helps protect when all other preventative measures have failed. In fact, the hierarchy of controls puts eliminating the...
Read more
Arc flash accidents are frequently noted when, unfortunately, something terrible goes wrong and an employee is injured. However, not all of these stories end badly due to proper use of arc flash protection. In his article for Flame Resistant Insights, Larry Hilgeman of The Hilgeman Group, Inc., shares a report from...
Read more