Is it a false sense of security?

It is a feeling of invincibility?

Is it just not thinking? Or is it not knowing enough?

Whether you are working as a welder, combat soldier, construction worker, firefighter or a chef in a kitchen that uses open flame, you can understand the value of wearing flame-resistant clothing. There have likely been a lot of lives and major injuries saved by the use of that clothing over the years, but there have been incidents of burns and worse even while wearing this clothing.

[Image courtesy of Flickr user Program Executive Office Soldier via a Creative Commons license]

[Image courtesy of Flickr user Program Executive Office Soldier via a Creative Commons license]

Yes, it’s isn’t just about wearing it. It’s about wearing it properly. Just because you may have fire-resistant clothing on the outside – where the flames are most likely to make contact – does not mean you are completely safe from flames. Even in a controlled environment, flames can be unpredictable.

With that in mind, Workrite Uniform Co. recently shared what are the five most common mistakes workers make when wearing flame-resistant clothes. Do any of these seem familiar with you or your workers? (Of course not, right?)

  1. No outer protection. Sure, it’s nice to have flame-resistant clothing that is making direct contact with your skin, but that outer layer that is closer to the flames is just as important. Outer layers that are not flame-resistant can burn, and the heat generated may affect the flame-resistant clothing, or at least cause direct burns on your skin even if covered by FR layers.
  2. No inner protection. The concept of flame resistance must apply for all clothing that is between the flames and the skin. Having flame-resistant outer clothing is great, but no flame-resistant inner layers may still burn or at least melt to the skin, which can cause major problems.
  3. On a roll. This has to do with sleeves. Sure, working around heat, you can get hot, and maybe it’s instinctive to want to roll up your sleeves to get some air flowing to your skin. However, doing so exposes your skin to the flames, from which your rolled-up FR clothing is supposed to protect. If heat is that kind of issue, consider having an inner layer made of lightweight flame-resistant material so your skin remains covered while you roll up the sleeves of your outerwear.
  4. Strippin’. Similar to rolling up sleeves, you certainly do not want to be around flames with any flame-resistant clothing that is unzipped or unbuttoned without flame-resistant layers underneath. Be mindful of what you are wearing before you decide to open up outer layers.
  5. Untucked. Not having a shirt tucked in can be the new trendy style, but it is not conducive to good flame protection. Believe it or not, flame and heat can be unpredictable and can sneak up under an untucked shirt and burn the skin. If you have a shirt tail, tuck it in – and the longer the tail, the better the protection.

Be careful out there. Keep in mind to not make these mistakes, and you dramatically increase the effectiveness of your flame-resistant coverings, which will dramatically improve your chances in handling open flame with minimal risk. Be on fire, but not in the bad way.