Use & Care of Fire Rated Clothing
Fire rated (FR) clothing, often referred to as fire resistant clothing or flame resistant clothing, protects workers from burns by resisting ignition. Proper wear and cleaning of the clothing is essential for effective protection.
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Wearing FR
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Never wear non-FR clothing, such as a nylon jacket, over FR clothing, since this reduces your flame resistance. Wear non-melting fabrics such as cotton underneath FR clothing. Never roll up sleeves or unbutton shirts when near an ignition hazard, since exposed skin is not protected from fire.
Cleaning FR
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If you wash your own FR clothing, use soft water and detergent. Do not use detergents containing chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. In addition, do not use starch or fabric softeners. FR clothing can also be dry-cleaned (except FR denim) or washed by a professional industrial laundry service.
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Significance
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Most severe or fatal burn injuries at work occur when a person's clothing catches on fire and continues to burn, according to Aramark. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also legally requires employers to provide FR clothing to workers exposed to fire hazards.
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