HEALTH & SAFETY


efficiency since wherever they look the lighting goes with them, leaving their hands free. With multiple beam modes, these devices are designed to be easily operable even when workers wear heavy gloves. Typically, the units are waterproof and chemically resistant, ready for use in rugged surroundings, which may include getting thrown into a truck toolbox or dropped. Still, the devices must provide ample light for a sufficient “burn time” to last an entire work shift without a change of batteries. However, typical headlamps can be a


dangerous source of ignition if workers unwittingly enter a hazardous area or are exposed to flammable materials or conditions. Safety considerations are particularly


important considering OSHA’s recently issued standard for construction work in confined spaces (Subpart AA of 29 CFR 1926). Te new standard recognises that such spaces can present physical and atmospheric hazards that can be avoided if recognised and addressed prior to entry. It is designed to eliminate potentially deadly hazards by requiring employers to determine what kinds of spaces their workers are in; what hazards could be there; and how those hazards should be made safe (including the use of headlamps, flashlights, and other lighting equipment that carry the proper safety ratings). Terefore, in oil and gas production,


processing or distribution settings where the environment is inherently volatile, headlamps should carry the proper certification for various classes, divisions, and groups of materials. When a headlamp is rated for all these options, it essentially means it is certified as safe for use in most hazardous environments.


As one example, the intrinsically safe


Vizz II headlamp by Princeton Tec, meets the requirements (Classes I, II, III; Divisions 1,2; and Groups A-G). Princeton Tec is a producer of ETL and UL-approved lighting products and manufactures headlamps that meet strict global safety requirements. “Whether for OSHA, Zone 0 or state


standards, intrinsically safe products such as the Vizz II headlamp help safety officials ensure that all the bases are covered. So, there is nothing from the lighting that could spark a potential fire or explosion in a work environment,” says John Navarro, a purchasing agent for CWR Wholesale Distribution, a supplier to various industries including oil and gas. Previously, Navarro was a nationally registered paramedic


and certified New Jersey state hazardous material technician.


DESIGNED TO LAST Because headlamps can be dropped or bumped in oil and gas settings, it is also important that the equipment is designed to reliably withstand rough handling. In response, some manufacturers such as


Princeton Tec now make headlamps with durable thermoplastic material designed to withstand drops and rough handling including being thrown into a truck bed. Te units not only provide up to 10 hours of light without a battery change but also have superior resistance to common, potentially dangerous, industrial chemicals and solvents.


Te latest models also offer anti-static


properties and safety features, such as a mechanical locking mechanism that requires a tool to open the battery compartment. Tis prevents users from inadvertently opening the battery housing in a hazardous environment, which could not only result in electric shock, but also potentially ignition or explosion. “Many of our corporate customers specify


Princeton Tec headlamps and lighting products due to the reliability, longevity, price point and made in USA production,” says Navarro. “When intrinsically safe equipment matters, it is essentially the gold standard.”


According to Navarro, among CWR Wholesale Distribution’s range of customers, the motivation for budgeting and supplying intrinsically safe headlamps and lighting as PPE is to prevent potential liability. “With an intrinsically safe headlamp,


you are meeting the standard and enabling employees to work in the safest possible conditions with the most up-to-date equipment,” says Navarro. “Now the technology is at a better price point than it was five years ago. So, it is affordable for corporate safety budgets.” Many of Navarro’s oil and gas customers


are willing to spend a little more for higher rated, compliant, intrinsically safe headlamps. “Our customers want to know their plant personnel can safely use their intrinsically safe headlamps anywhere. Safety committees do not want to worry about where personnel may use the units, if it is safe to use under hazardous conditions,” concludes Navarro.


Although oil and gas production,


processing and distribution carries some inherent risk, companies seeking to improve safety can do so by providing workers with ultra-safe headlamps that ensure compliance. So, as the need for safety only grows along with stricter regulation, facilities will increasingly make headlamps a mandatory part of any PPE budget or safety programme to minimise operational risk and liability.


A rising number of safety officers are including


headlamps in the company budget as PPE


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