Ever since she was a young girl, my sister has been interested in agriculture. After graduating with a degree in agriculture education, she accepted a teaching position at a local high school. For the past three years, she has been amazing her students with her knowledge about subjects such as raising beef cattle, growing flowers, and canning fruit preserves. Since she has a sweet tooth, canning fruit preserves is one of my sister’s favorite pastimes. If she ever has the time, she may even launch her own home based business canning fruit preserves to sell to customers. If you’re considering canning jams, jellies, and other sweet goods to sell to customers, you will need to invest in some state-of-the-art industrial equipment. On this blog, you will discover the types of industrial equipment that are necessary to start a canning business.
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Satisfying a Sweet Tooth
Flame-Resistant Uniforms For Your Employees: What Your Start-Up Electrical Company Should Know
Malou Leffers
If you are a new business offering electrician service, there are many things to think about when starting up. Don't forget to give careful attention to your employees' uniforms. This isn't just for show; choosing the right clothing made of flame-resistant fabric is a safety measure you can't skip. Read on to find answers for five questions you might have about flame-resistant clothing.
Why can't your employees just wear cotton uniforms like the old days?
Many people who have been working in the electrical field for some time remember the days when everyone wore cotton uniforms, thinking they were safe. While it is true that cotton doesn't catch fire as fast as fabrics like all nylon or polyester, there are newer, safer flame-resistant fabrics on the market now.
Furthermore, the United States Department of Labor Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) says that as a business owner, you are required to provide a work environment that is free from "known hazards." This includes offering your employees the safest uniforms for their trade, where flashes and arcs can cause regular fabrics, like cotton, to catch fire.
How do you know what kind of fabric they need?
Flame-resistant fabrics are categorized by their Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV). This number expresses how an electrical arc is discharged if the fabric is exposed to it. Greater protection is afforded to fabrics with a higher ATPV.
When obtaining uniforms for your employees, explain to the supplier what type of work they do. Your supplier can help you choose the right ATPV for the job, whether that's commercial or residential electrical work.
Is it okay to only wear shirts out of flame-resistant material?
Your employees' entire uniforms should be made of flame-resistant fabric. Their shirts should be long-sleeve only, and they should also wear pants, jackets, or coveralls of the same material. Any other PPE (personal protective equipment), like gloves and hats, should also be flame resistant.
How do you care for flame-resistant uniforms?
Ideally, your employees' uniforms should not be laundered at home. The reason for this is twofold. First, home laundering in an uncontrolled environment could potentially remove some of the flame resistance from the clothing. Second, it is better, in general, to use a professional industrial laundry to handle uniforms that could also become contaminated with grease or oil that should not make its way into a home washer.
What if you aren't sure what you want before purchasing uniforms?
Purchasing uniforms can be a big investment if you have more than just one or two people to buy for. To check comfort, fit, and effectiveness, consider renting uniforms first to see which type you like best before purchasing.
Your employees count on you to provide them with the safest work conditions possible. By purchasing flame-resistant uniforms (from companies like Oil & Gas Safety Supply), you are protecting their health and starting your electrical business up right.
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