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Flame-resistant

garments for women


QUESTION: What should a ame-resistant garment pro-
gram for women include?
Responding is Sherryl Stoner, customer service manager for inside
sales and quality assurance, TECGEN FR Garments, Greenville, SC.
ANSWER: Flame-resistant garments are traditionally
designed in two ways: for a mans proportions or for uni-
sex proportions. Today, though, women are entering this
mans world and taking on jobs that require constant FR
wear and they are not unisex-sized. Te time is now to
ensure women are outftted safely and comfortably in the
workplace.
Here is a guide of key considerations to include in your FR
garment program for women:
1. Safety frst. Rolling up your sleeves in a workplace where
FR apparel is required is not an option. When women wear
unisex or mens FR garments, personal modifcations like
this are often made for a better ft. Tis can increase the
likelihood of an injury. Oversized clothing can get caught
in machinery, while coveralls with long bodies may cause a
woman to trip and fall, and ultimately create issues for per-
forming everyday tasks.
How can this be avoided? Start by selecting womens FR
garments that are designed in a range of sizes to accommo-
date diferent body types. Extra-small to plus-size options
should be available. Ten, ensure the ft of the shirts, pants
and coveralls on your employees.
Shirtsleeves should be short enough that they do not need
to be rolled or cufed.
Shirttails should be long enough that they can be tucked into
pants, but short enough to eliminate bunching.
Coveralls should be ftted for womans hip and waist sizes
so excess fabric does not get caught on equipment handles
or afect mobility.
Te body, not just the sleeve and pant-length of the cover-
all, should ft the wearer.
Select a shirt that has adjustable cufs. Womens wrist sizes
can vary, so an adjustable cuf can help keep shirtsleeves
from riding up.
2. Comfort means productivity. An uncomfortable worker
may have discomfort on their mind rather than the job at
hand. A misft uniform could preclude workers from bend-
ing, lifting or moving fuidly. Women need the right tools
for the job and that means FR garments that are ftted
appropriately.
Tese attributes for safety are also attributes of comfort.
But in addition to size and cut, take into consideration a gar-
ment that is suitable for temperature to ensure comfort. In
fact, a recent study
1
found FR garment wearers consider light
weight and breathability two of the most impor-
tant aspects of comfort in FR garments.
Examine the fabric quality and
traits of the FR garment to ensure
it is engineered for moisture-
wicking and breathability. Tis
is important for all seasons.
Consider a garment in which
the FR technology is inher-
ent (woven into the fab-
ric). Tis eliminates any
heavy FR coatings that
could make the garment
uncomfortable or stif.
Provide specifc instructions
on what is acceptable onsite for
extreme temperatures. Hot condi-
tions should not permit rolled-up
sleeves. Cold temperatures should
not introduce non-FR hoodies or
other fammable street wear.

3. Uniformity: Source the same FR
garments for both men and women.
Todays FR garment programs must
include options for women. Tese
options should align with the garments
selected for men. When sourcing FR gar-
ments, ensure the manufacturer ofers the
same fabric and features in garments for both
women and men.
Womens garments may difer from mens in the sizing,
cut and details such as smaller buttons, but to ensure work-
force consistency, ensure logo, color and style remain con-
sistent with other garments in the workplace.
A womens FR program is not about getting more pink in
the workplace. It is about equipping women with the right
tool to help improve performance, comfort and safety. Women
should feel comfortable, functional and safe from head to toe.
1
FR Market Research Study Bainbridge Strategy Consulting.
June 2014.
Workplace Solutions
Experts from safety equipment manufacturers and service providers answer from the eld questions
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Reprinted from Safety+Health, Vol. 190, No. 3 2014 National Safety Council

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