The Canada Labor Code is aimed at addressing the health and safety concerns of employers and employees alike. Both parties are required to abide by the provisions of the Code and nurture a safe workplace. Safety concerns are likely to assume greater significance at certain workplaces with dangerous conditions including sectors such as oil, petroleum, natural gas, coal, and minerals industries. Food processing plants and utilities are also prone to different hazards. Here, there is a need for different types of protective gear including clothing with flame-resistant (FR) properties. Such protective equipment can safeguard workers from the dangers of hydrocarbon flash fires, electric arc flashes, and other similar hazards.

Evaluating Risk

FR apparel if of different types and the industry sector as well as the job role will determine what is required. A detailed risk hazard assessment of the workplace can help you make this decision. Failure to do so can leave workers unprotected or at the least under protected, making them vulnerable to fire hazards.

Features of FR Gear

One good way of ensuring that the workwear you are considering for purchase is worthy, is by checking for the Canadian General Standards Board label stating that the item is flame-resistant. This attests to the garment’s level of flame-resistance, its insulation, top notch fabric integrity, and anti-static properties. FR workwear will be made of fibers that are inherently flame-resistant or those with flame retardant finishes. 

Selecting and Buying Appropriate Apparel  

According to the Canadian General Standards Board, FR workwear offering protection against flash fires is subject to CGSB-155.20 or NFPA 2112 Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire. For protection from electrical fires, garments should meet the American standards NFPA 70E, while for rainwear it is ASTM F2733. Additionally, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) specifies that FR apparel should meet the following criteria:

• • Cover the upper and lower body as well as any flammable layers beneath
  • There must be a layer of air between skin and the fabric, it should not be tight-fitting 
  • Logos or reflective stripes must be made of FR material or be eliminated all together
  • The manufacturer bids must include substantiation of certification for the protective apparel
  • Every bid must be compared against the purchase specifications
  • If there are any additional specifications as regards design and performance, those must also be included
  • The purchased garments must be inspected to determine if they meet purchase specifications
  • Garments that do not meet the purchase specifications must be returned to the manufacturer
  • Instructions, warranties, and other documentation accompanying the apparel must be checked

Also, it is important to keep in mind that it is always good to source your FR garments in North America. With foreign made garments you do not know if you are getting the same garment that has been tested. 

In the unfortunate case of an explosion or fire it is difficult to hold foreign entities liable for injuries or poor garment performance. Therefore it is best to deal with North American based materials and have the same company supply, maintain, and repair your FR garments.

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Appropriate Use of FR Garments

For FR workwear to be effective, it is essential that the garments be used the right way. Instructing employees and training them in the right way of handling FR apparel is essential. Firstly, you must earmark the locations and conditions where FR garments are to be used. Follow it up with:

• All relevant information on the correct way of wearing and removing protective apparel
• Tips on care and maintenance of the garments as suggested by manufacturer along with any manuals, instructions provided
• Guidance on limitations about the use of the garment
• Any information on what over garments or under garments are to be worn along with the FR apparel 
• When FR garments require repairs, they need to be done in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines
• Also, any protective clothing that is no longer serviceable must be replaced 

Cleaning of FR Apparel

Appropriate care and maintenance of FR garments can help extend their life and ensure that the fabric retains its unique properties. New FR apparel must be washed before being worn for the first time. Afterwards, it should be cleaned regularly to avoid build-up of contaminants that can decrease its flame resistance. Garments that are heavily contaminated are likely to require special cleaning. The CAPP recommends that such contaminated workwear be cleaned in facilities that are qualified and equipped to do so. Professional laundering is one good way of ensuring that the quality of the fabric is not compromised in any way. Organizations such as Goodfish that offer specialized cleaning services for FR apparel make use of the latest technology to remove dirt and contaminants effectively.  

It is important to remember that FR workwear is intended for unplanned or accidental exposure to intense heat for a mere seconds – three second or less. Thus, for workplaces that involve exposure to higher levels of heat for a much longer duration, you will require FR garments of wholly different composition.

It is a well-known fact that Indigenous businesses play an important role in the Canadian economy as providers of good, jobs, and services. The country is home to over 600 Indigenous communities. Following a recent APEC study in the wake of the COVID pandemic, the spotlight is on Indigenous businesses more than ever. The study speaks about how many communities facing economic challenges such as lack of funding and relief packages to bounce back. The Canadian Prime Minister had in April 2020 announced nearly $300 million in funding to bail out medium to small-sized Indigenous businesses. The relief package was also intended as support to Indigenous financial institutions that provide financing to these businesses. 

At the time, Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, said, “Some Indigenous businesses who are already facing unique challenges, including being in rural or remote locations and having less access to capital, are disproportionately affected by this unprecedented situation.” He added that the support provided will facilitate maximum flexibility in supporting local businesses – entrepreneurships, cooperative businesses, or any of the many industries across Canada to continue contributing to their communities. 

Statistics indicate that in 2017, there were nearly 19,000 businesses located in Indigenous communities (approximately 17,000 in First Nations communities and 2,000 in Inuit communities). Combined, these businesses generated just over $10 billion in total revenue and $0.4 billion in profits in the reference year of this study. Nearly 9,000 of these businesses, slightly more than half of them, are located in British Columbia. Given the magnitude of the contribution made by Indigenously-owned businesses to the country’s economy, it becomes essential to provide them all necessary support.

Goodfish Lake Business Corporation (GFLBC) is one of many organizations working towards a better future for the many Indigenous communities in Canada. Catering to the oil and gas industry, we have various divisions providing services such as dry cleaning, laundry, sewing and garment. In the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, Goodfish has also entered the non-medical mask manufacturing segment. Having been in business for over four decades, it’s the community-centric approach that has helped our corporation reach new heights over the years. GFLBC has always believed in giving back to the community that we are a part of. Being a First Nations enterprise, supporting Goodfish means helping Alberta’s Indigenous communities. 

Investing in the Community

GFLBC is a firm believer in nurturing relationships with those who have stood by us through the good and the bad. The corporation’s business model believes in keeping the money within the First Nations communities. As a result, half of all the profits earned by our corporation go towards building community infrastructure. Similarly, ten percent of profits is earmarked for educational endowments while forty percent is dedicated to business growth. Initiatives such as these foster a sense of involvement and employees feel like they’re part of an extended family that stays together and works together.

Job Security

GFLBC provides employment for community members and lets them stay close to their families. We also offer job stability, a claim underlined by the fact that the majority of our employees have been with us for decades! Of the nearly 120 employees, 90% identify as Indigenous with roughly 80% being community members of Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation #128. In some instances, generations of the same family have been employees of the organization. This just underscores the job satisfaction that community members derive from working at an enterprise that places their interests first.

Stepping Stone

For many others, GFLBC has acted as a stepping stone to success. The organization supports the career aspirations of its community members and helps them expand their horizon. This is achieved through hands-on training at the Goodfish facility as well as encouraging continued education and training of employees. Some of the community members choose to return to the area after gaining experience in various sectors. Quite a few of the returnees even go on to set up new business ventures to further benefit the community members.

By continuously seeking employee and community feedback, GFBLC ensures that we are always on the right track. This is because we have realized that by acting upon the feedback in a timely manner, we can improve ourselves and keep on helping Alberta Indigenous communities for many more years to come. By winning the ‘Best of Business’ award at the recent Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, our resolve towards the cause has been further strengthened.

Safety is of the utmost importance at the workplace. More so, when it is in a hazardous sector such as construction, oil and gas industry, electricity, and utilities. Organizations in these industries are expected to provide their employees with fire-resistant personal protective equipment and other safety gear. Also known as flame-resistant (FR) personal protective equipment (PPE), these must adhere to the standards prescribed by the relevant regulatory agencies. FR apparel acts as a protective layer over skin and can provide a certain degree of protection to the wearer. It does not, however, fully safeguard from fire hazards. 

Fire-Resistant Vs Fire-Retardant

Quite often, fire-resistant PPE is confused with fire-retardant PPE. Fire-resistant PPE is made of fibers that are slow to ignite on exposure to fire. They can also withstand repeated cleaning or washes and never lose their fire-resistant properties. Meanwhile, fire-retardant garments are made of non fire retardant fibers that are then treated with chemicals that gives it it’s FR properties. Fire-retardant garments tend to lose their unique properties much more quickly. Thus, they tend to be more affordable than fire-resistant protective gear.

The Right Type of Fire-Resistant PPE

There is no one solution when it comes to FR gear. The type of safety apparel required will depend on the unique hazards of your sector of work. A comprehensive workplace risk assessment can help you determine the type of protection required. For instance, the requirements of workers in the oil and gas sector will vary significantly from those in the construction industry. Also, fire-resistant PPE apparel is available in a wide variety of materials including naturally fire-resistant fibers and those that have been chemically treated to be fire-resistant. Each of these fibers and the fabrics made from them come with a set of pros and cons. You will need to evaluate and decide on which one is best suited to your specific requirements. Apart from the scope of work, durability, your budget, and maintenance plan will all have an impact on the type of FR gear you opt for. 

Wearing Fire-Resistant Gear 

In order to derive optimal safety benefits of FR garments, it is important to give some thought to the clothes to be worn under the PPE. It is essential that garments worn under fire-resistant PPE have non-melting properties. The primary benefit of this is that this will act as yet another layer of FR protection. So, in the event the first or outer layer of PPE is damaged in a fire hazard, this second layer will offer some amount of protection. In addition, wearing layers of garments creates an air insulation pocket between two layers that adds to the wearer’s safety.  Comfort and fit will also play an important role in ensuring employee compliance with the organization’s safety policy. 

• Comfort – There is no reason why PPE should not be comfortable to the wearer. Reputed brands use high quality materials and these can keep the wearer comfortable even in adverse weather conditions. 

• Fit – No one likes a bad fit and it’s no different when it comes to fire-resistant PPE. Unless the garment is the right size, wearing it can prove cumbersome. This can deter workers from donning protective gear regularly and thus, put them at risk for hazards. Garments that facilitate ease of movement should be preferred here.

• Topnotch Accessories – When buying fire-resistant PPE, it becomes essential to check the quality of accessories used. For instance, durable zippers, reinforced snaps and pockets, are just some of the items to lookout for.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Caring for Fire-Resistant PPE

Fire-resistant garments can be quite expensive and purchasing new ones often can cause quite a dent in your annual budget. Choosing quality garments is one way of ensuring that you do not have to keep purchasing new FR apparel. Caring for fire-resistant PPE in the recommended manner and adequate maintenance is another way of increasing its longevity. 

Protective clothing must be laundered the right way to preserve its unique characteristics. For instance, apparel used in the oil and gas industry likely have a layer of hydrocarbons over it. Reputed commercial laundry programs such as those offered by Goodfish can help eliminate these hydrocarbons without compromising the fabric. Failure to remove such flammable components from the garment’s surface can put employees at risk of being injured. 

Being armed with all the information pertaining to fire-resistant PPE can help you make an informed decision about the safety plan of your organization. Picking the right type of protective work gear and adhering to the government regulations on workplace hazard prevention will help you ensure a safe and welcoming atmosphere for every employee. Take it to the next level and select a vendor who not only manufactures the workwear but cleans it as well.