CAN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY KEEP UP WITH PPE DEMANDS?


Inherently hazardous industrial environments are placing increasing demands on PPE. So, can the UK textiles sector keep up? Rob Beadle, PPE expert at Arville, shares his thoughts.


In virtually every manufacturing scenario, a product has to be fit for purpose – it must satisfy the demands and requirements specified by the end user. Personal Protective Equipment is no different.


But who should be involved in the conversation? Even in complex scenarios such as chemical production or molten metal work, there can be a lack of understanding regarding the PPE’s primary performance criteria. Dialogue therefore needs to be opened up. It must involve those in manufacturing, procurement and the individuals who will actually wear the apparel.


In America, this approach works well. Users are very vocal and their input is immediately taken on board. In Europe, on the other hand, industrial contribution at steering committee level is less prevalent, often due to cost and resource. That’s why true textiles innovators immerse themselves in industry, to uncover the necessary insight first hand and ensure adequate knowledge transfer.


There is a growing need to balance protection with physiology, an admittedly difficult task, especially in heat-intensive situations. Of course the individual should be safeguarded with robust, fire-retardant PPE, but the dangers of ‘over protection’ must also be acknowledged. If moisture management is not specified in the PPE’s design, heat-induced heart attacks or severe scalding from sweat could pose risks equally as dangerous to life as the fire itself.


It has also been suggested in the firefighting sector, that underwear should form part of the PPE range too, to ensure protection from the skin out. This is something textiles specialists can tackle with ease, if the


10


subjected to a significant temperature change, but the fibres and weave construction will ensure it remains intact, without breaking open under the heat pressure, thus protecting the furnace worker.


Some textiles innovators are even going so far as to consider PPE cleansing regimes. PPE is manufactured – and procured – to a standard that it must comply with for the whole of its life. Consistency of performance is therefore crucial. However, with some industries opting to de-robe and wash their garments after every incident, longevity could soon become compromised. Textiles specialists are therefore working hard to manufacture long-lasting, compliant PPE fabrics that can repel multiple substances and retain those characteristics despite repeated washes.


However, the onus shouldn’t just be on those responsible for R&D. Those in procurement also need to be mindful of ‘whole of life’ PPE costs, for example, and appreciate that, whilst some garments may initially seem more expensive, that’s perhaps because so many other costs – and dangers – have been engineered out. Such PPE will therefore last – and perform – for longer.


collaboration can take place and the budget be allocated.


Developments have also taken place to mitigate the dangers associated with flashovers in foundries, with fabrics engineered so that they have the right mix of tensile strength and flexibility. The PPE may become misshapen when


Of course not all industries require PPE of such complex construction. In some instances lightweight garments will provide sufficient protection; in other scenarios there are greater safety challenges to tackle. However, there is the capability to continuously innovate, and technical textiles can keep pace with modern PPE requirements, if the right conversations occur.


www.arville.com www.tomorrowshs.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24