How much is your team’s safety worth -- can you put a price on it? Sir Jackie Stewart, a three-time Formula 1 racing champion, once said “It takes leadership to improve safety.” As a manager tasked with outfitting your team in FR compliant clothing, you have a monumental responsibility in your hands: ensuring the safety of your employees by understanding the importance of the FR workwear and PPE selections you make.
Complying with complex standards set by the CSA Group and others can be overwhelming for leaders. Knowing the factors to consider when purchasing workwear, how to pick the best FR clothing for your team, and using an FR clothing corporate program for bulk orders can help streamline and simplify the process.
FR Compliant Workwear: 5 Key ConsiderationsWhat are the factors to be considered when providing workwear? Quality is the first factor to consider when purchasing FR workwear. Low-quality garments may bear labels and claims of flame-resistant performance, but may make these claims based on a single test that doesn’t meet industry standards. High-quality garments are third-party tested to meet the high standards of associations like CSA Group, CGSB, ANSI, and NFPA.
Compliance is also important to consider. You should choose compliant options that meet or exceed industry standards in tests of vertical flammability, thermal protective performance, heat resistance, and/or arc flash protection. Your team needs FR compliant clothing that meets one or more standards:
- Flame resistance: CGSB 155.20/NFPA 2112
- Arc flash protection: CSA Z462/NFPA 70E
- Hi-visibility protection: CSA Z96/ANSI 107
Employee safety depends on the quality of the FR clothing you select. Serious injuries, like burns and shocks, and fatalities are unfortunately common. In 2022 alone, there were 993 workplace fatalities and nearly 348,750 lost-time claims made due to injuries in Canada. Many of these injuries and deaths are preventable, and FR, AR, and high-visibility clothing can save lives in the event of workplace hazards like flash fires, arc flashes, and low-visibility conditions.
Employee education on FR clothing is also essential. Make sure your employees know the importance of proper fit and usage (securely fastened openings, wearing FR base layers underneath, etc.), laundering, regular inspections for wear and damage, and chemicals to avoid (DEET, fabric softeners, etc.).
Pricing is always a consideration when providing workwear for your team, but don’t just consider the upfront purchase price. The cheapest options on the market don’t offer a warranty or guarantee and are made with materials that might degrade over time with use and laundering, requiring you to replace uniforms at a much faster rate -- costing you more over time. Instead, opt for a brand like MWG Apparel, known for quality, durable pieces, and an extended warranty for the lifespan of each garment. Buying high-quality workwear for your team the first time minimizes your expenses over time with replacements/repairs for garments under warranty and durable, long-lasting pieces that hold up to laundering, daily wear, and hazard exposure.
Choosing the Best Bulk FR WorkwearWondering how to pick the best FR workwear? It can get complicated quickly if your team needs clothing that meets multiple standards (arc-rated, flame-resistant, hi-vis, etc.). Look for an FR workwear brand with a full-service corporate program for a simple, streamlined purchasing process that ensures your team is outfitted safely with compliance in mind.
MWG Apparel develops proprietary FR fabrics and high-performance styles, designs quality FR clothing for multiple industries with a superior fit for men and women, and distributes workwear with optional branded customizations shipped to your facility for a cohesive team appearance and top-notch performance. Let our safety experts guide you toward the right styles and apparel for your industry and answer any questions you have about FR apparel for your hard-working team. Many of our team members sit on safety committees and standards boards, providing valuable insight to ensure every garment you purchase is compliant for your workplace.
You can’t put a price on your team’s safety. Ensuring everyone is outfitted in high-quality FR workwear is the best way to keep your team in compliance, minimize your cost investment over time, and prioritize the safety of your workforce.
When selecting compliant workwear for your employees, it's crucial to carefully assess various factors such as price, specific field of work, and overall quality. At MWG Apparel, we provide durable workwear that prioritizes the safety of your employees. Check out our selection of FR pants, outerwear, base layers, and more.