• • • SAFETY IN ENGINEERING • • •
• When asked how the GORE-TEX PYRAD garment compared to their previous garment when worn in heavy rain, 84% found the new garments better, 16% found they functioned at the same level; and
• Participants were asked to state how long their garments take to dry after being exposed to rain all day. 54% stated it took less than six hours, 30% considered it took less than 12 hours, (with 16% of the cohort unsure of the exact drying time.)
The procurement project team Northern Powergrid needed severe weather arc rated jackets, hoods, salopettes and coveralls and assembled a wearer trial team of lines people, jointers and fitters. Working with this team J&K Ross and MSA Bell Apparel listened to feedback and modified designs. GORE-TEX PYRAD fabric technology was supplied in hi-vis orange so workers could be safely seen, identified as Northern Powergrid at distance and had the additional benefit that flying insects wouldn’t be attracted to orange. MSA Bell Apparel, produced prototypes using
GORE-TEX PYRAD fabric, which were fully tested in GORE’s laboratory facilities to ensure they were fit for purpose. The trial team feedback resulted in design
improvements such as a request for a Nelson pocket on the jacket to hold a switching book and changes to the jacket cuffs so gauntlet gloves could easily be put on.. In July 2021, MSA Bell Apparel supplied the new issue kit to J&K Ross for distribution. Industrial
laundering company, phs, supplied and fitted unique bar codes to every garment. The bar-coding system allows phs to collect garments from depots, professionally clean and then return them back to the individual’s locker.
Feedback Following months of using their GORE-TEX PYRAD garments Northern Powergrid’s frontline teams were asked for feedback. Key findings include: • Half of the respondents regularly work with a harness and at height; of these workers all stated they felt sufficiently warm whilst wearing their garments, 58% felt pleasantly dry and 83% found the ergonomic fit of the garment to be very soft and very flexible;
• The entire cohort, 100%, stated that the garments kept them dry;
• When considering the weight of their protective garments 19% found them to be very lightweight, 81% found them to be a comfortable weight;
Conclusion Sean Johnson, Safety Engineer at Northern Powergrid concludes: “Our teams work hard and are exposed to the elements and the potential risk of heat, flame and thermal hazards associated with working with live electricity. Health and safety is our top priority and we have worked hard as an organisation to equip them with the durable, multi- norm Class 2 arc protection they deserve so they can remain focused on the task in hand and go home safe and well at the end of their shift.”
Multi-norm arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD product technology
Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc, IEC 61482-1-2:2014 class 2 (7 kA), IEC 61482-1-1:2019 arc rating ELIM 42 cal/cm2 (ATPV 53 cal/cm2) tested with 120 g/m2 aramide/viscose (50:50) lining
Clothing to protect against heat and flame, EN ISO 11612 A1, A2, B2, C1, D2, E1, F1 clauses 7.2 – 7.6 (code letters B, C, D, E, F) tested with 120 g/m2 aramide/viscose (50:50) lining
Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes, EN ISO 11611 class 2 A1+A2 clauses 6.8 – 6.10 tested with 120 g/m2 aramide/viscose (50:50) lining
High Visibility Clothing, EN ISO 20471 HI-VIS yellow, HI-VIS orange, HI-VIS red
Protection against rain, EN 343 class 3/3 Electrostatic properties, EN 1149-3/-5
Protective clothing against liquid chemicals, EN 13034 Type 6 Rain Tower Test, EN 14360
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JULY/AUGUST 2022 25
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