Proper Care of FR Garments

   Laundry Wash Key                 Water Temperature

  Industrial Wash                                       165°F maximum

  Light Soil Wash                                       140°F maximum

  Home Wash                                             120°F maximum

 Home Wash

• Wash separately inside out, normal or cotton cycle, at water temperature of 140°F or less.
• Use any typical home laundry detergent. Do not use soap (tallow soap containing animal fats).
  • Hot water can increase the effectiveness of detergents.
• Do not use chlorine bleach, liquid nonchlorine bleach, starch or fabric softeners.
• Use of conditioned or soft water improves removal of contaminants from garments.
  • Hard water precipitates soaps, resulting in calcium and magnesium salt build-up which can
    serve as fuel if exposed to ignition source.
• All soils and other contaminants must be completely removed from garments during washing. (May require presoaking garments or the use of stain removal products.)
  • If removal is difficult, try laundering garments at a local industrial laundry or dry cleaner.
• Do not over dry garments. To remove wrinkles, press with iron on Permanent Press/Low Setting.

Stain Removal

• Remove any garments that come into contact with flammable substances immediately and replace with clean FR apparel.
• Home or industrial laundering removes most types of both flammable and non-flammable soils.
  • Garments with soils that cannot be removed may be compromised.
• It may be difficult to determine that flammable soils have been completely removed.
  • Best indicator they are still present: stain and/or odor is still existent after laundering.
  • If still present, garments can be dry cleaned.

Industrial Laundry

• Wash FR apparel separately to avoid damaging the luminescent effect.
• Use soft water (less than 4.0 grains). Hard water can cause buildup of mineral salts, negating the flame-resistant characterisitics and serving as fuel if exposed to an ignition source.
• Use non-ionic formulas. Avoid the use of natural soaps (anionic or tallow soap).
• Use a combination of an adequate wash temperature (up to 140°F) and detergent formulated to thoroughly clean all contaminants from garments.
• Do not use chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) to preserve the luminescent effect.
• Garments heavily soiled with particulate or abrasive soils should be flushed at 105°F in the beginning of the cycle to reduce abrasion in the wash.
  • Wash formulas and load sizes should be set up to minimize redeposition and fabric abrasion.
• Do not use starch, fabric softener, or other laundry additives.
  • Garments should be sourced to a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
• Do not over dry.
• Condition at a stack setting of 165°F to prevent fabric temperature measured in the basket from exceeding 280°F.
  • Proper cool down to 100°F or less in conditioning will result in the best appearance.
• Remove immediately after washing and drying to prevent setting wrinkles.
• Tunnel finishing will improve appearance.

Dry Clean

• Perchloroethylene or petroleum solvent may be used.

Always check the care tag on the garment and/or consult the garment manufacturer for detailed instructions and precautions.

   NEVER USE:   

Do You Know Your Emergency Action Plan?

Emergencies can happen at any time when on the job. Should a fire break out, a chemical spill occur, or another emergency prevail, it is critical that you know and follow your company’s pre-arranged emergency action plan.

Components of an Emergency Action Plan 

No matter what industry you are in, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that there are several components that must be included in an Emergency Action Plan.

• Prepare separate responses for different types of emergencies. Responding to a hurricane is very different from responding to a gas release. 
• Include an evacuation plan specific to each section of your facility. 
• Keep a list both inside and outside your building that includes names, numbers, addresses, and emergency contacts for every employee and worker who may be on-site. Also include a method for accounting for all employees after an evacuation. 
• Post the contact information and responsibilities for outside responders such as fire, police, utility providers, who will assist in an emergency. 
• List employee roles and procedures, including the reporting of the emergency and the procedures for those who may stay behind to perform critical operations post-evacuation.
• Include the responsibilities and contact information of the leaders who will assist the physically challenged or perform other medical or rescue duties. 
• Conduct routine check-ins to ensure that everyone knows their specific role and responsibilities during an emergency.

Note: It is important that employees with specific roles and responsibilities during an emergency undergo the necessary training, so that they are prepared. It is also critical that refresher training and practice drills are regularly conducted for all employees. 

During an Emergency

• If you discover an emergency, stop what you are doing, sound the alarm, and evacuate.
• If you hear an alarm signal, stop your work immediately and evacuate. 
• When evacuating, always report to the designated meeting area.
• During an evacuation due to a gas release, observe the wind direction and evacuate crosswind.
• Avoid temptations to stick around and help or see what is going on. 
  • This delays you from reporting to your designated meeting area.
• If you do not report to your assigned area, your supervisor cannot assume that you have escaped and are safe.
  • This will often lead emergency responders to go back into the area to look for you, risking their lives.
• For the sake of emergency responders and yourself, always report to your designated meeting area immediately when an evacuation alarm is sounded.

Note: It is crucial to be aware of the different types of alarms present at your workplace, so you can react accordingly when an alarm is sounded. 

Properly Wearing Your N95 Mask

N95s are one of the most effective masks that you can wear. They are tight-fitting masks that filter out 95% of particles in the air. However, these masks are only effective in protecting you if they are worn and fitted properly. The key is achieving an adequate seal. That is why taking the time to educate yourself on the proper way to put on an N95 is important. Below are some tips and steps that you can follow to properly put on your mask.

Tips Before Putting on Your N95:

Remember, your N95 mask cannot be decontaminated or reused.

• Tie back your hair.
• Wash your hands.
• Do not wear makeup and remove any facial hair (beards, stubble, mustaches, or sideburns), as this compromises the mask.

How to Properly Put on Your Mask:

• Cup the outside of your mask with your hand and bring it to your face.
• The mask should sit center of the bridge of your nose - keep in mind that most masks seal best when they are high on the bridge of the nose.
• Continuing to cup the mask, use your free hand to bring the top strap over your head and place it just above your ears.
• Next take the bottom strap over your head and place it just below your ears.
• Without touching your face, use your first two fingers on each hand to gently mold the metal bar around the bridge of your nose.
• DO NOT pinch the metal bar, as this causes peaks and makes an improper seal.

 Performing a Seal Check:

• Place your hand above the mask without touching your face and blow out forcefully.
• Repeat with your hands below the mask as well.
• If you do not feel air escaping around the borders of the mask when you breathe out, your mask is sealed properly.
• Note - when you breathe out, your mask should bulge out and when you breathe in quickly, the mask should slightly collapse, indicating a seal. 

If Your Mask is Not Passing the Seal Check:

• If you felt air escaping during your seal check, try moving the mask up or down on your face and perform the seal check again.
• If adjusting your mask did not work, try criss-crossing the straps behind your head to make them tighter (wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before).
• To criss-cross - slightly lower the top strap and then raise the lower strap to cross it over the upper strap (the straps will be crossed right above your ears).
• Perform another seal check.
• If you are still having difficulty, ask a friend or family member to help.

Avoiding Counterfeit Respirators:

When looking to get your N95s, the CDC urges you to be on the lookout for counterfeit respirators. These products are being falsely marketed and sold as being NIOSH-approved and may not have the appropriate respiratory protection. The CDC actively updates a list of counterfeit respirators on their website. See here. In addition, they provide a list of signs to look for when determining if your respirator is counterfeit. 

Signs that a Respirator may be Counterfeit:

• No markings at all on the filtering facepiece respirator
• No approval (TC) number on filtering facepiece respirator or headband
• No NIOSH markings
• NIOSH spelled incorrectly 
• Presence of decorative fabric or other decorative add-ons (e.g. sequins)
• Claims of the approval for children (NIOSH does not approve any type of respiratory protection for children)
• Filtering facepiece respirator has ear loops instead of headbands 

Last updated: March, 2023

Whether working on the job or changing a lightbulb at home, ladder safety is important. Falls from ladders can be just as dangerous and painful as those from a roof. About a third of all reported falls are those from ladders. Many of these falls are caused by improper use of ladders or use of defective ladders.

On average, every two days in the United States, work-related falls from a ladder result in one death and more than 180 injuries. Ladders were also one of the Top 10 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Standards Violated in 2022. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2020, there were 161 fatal work injuries from which ladders were the primary source. These deaths are preventable. To minimize your risk when using a ladder, whether at home or at work, the following guidelines should be observed.

When Should You Use a Ladder?

When you are trying to reach a higher work area, your first thought may be to grab a ladder or stepladder. However, it may not always be the best option. Consider these questions from OSHA before deciding to use a ladder:

• Will I have to hold heavy items while on the ladder?
• Is the elevated area high enough that it would require a long ladder that can be unstable?
• Will I be working from this height for a long time?
• Do I have to stand on the ladder sideways in order to do this work?

If you answer yes to any of the questions above, consider using other equipment available. If you must use a ladder, use a platform stepladder, as it has a working platform and handrail barricades on both sides.

Inspect Your Ladder EVERY Time Before Use

Be sure to look for...

• Missing or loose cleats at the bottom
• Missing or loose screws, bolts or nails
• Cracked, broken or split, dented or badly worn rungs, cleats or side rails
• Splinters on wooden ladders
• Corrosion on metal ladders

General Ladder Safety Tips

• Always use the proper ladder that is designed for what you are doing
• Don't set your ladder in a walkway or door opening
• Keep the area at the top and bottom of the ladder clear of tool cords, tools and materials
• Always set the ladder on solid footing
• Use a 25% angle on the slope of the ladder
• When using extension ladders, the top three rungs must extend beyond the landing platform -- or the top of an extension ladder must be 36" above the landing
• Wear the proper footwear (ex. non-slip flat shoes)
• Ensure that the ladder is fully extended before starting work
• Don't lean to the side when you are on a ladder as you may tip over
• Don't carry tools or materials on a ladder as it limits your ability to hold onto the ladder. Use both hands when climbing up a ladder to grab onto the side rails -- if you must move materials or tools up a ladder, first climb up the ladder, then pull up the materials you need with a hand line. 
• Only one person on a ladder at time 
• Always secure the top of the ladder to prevent sliding
• Never lean a step ladder, always fully open it 
• Always face the ladder
• Tie off the ladder, if possible, to increase stability 
• Maintain at least three points of contact with the ladder at all times

Workers' Rights from OSHA

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm. 
• Receive information and training (in a language and vocabulary the worker understands) about workplace hazards, methods to prevent them, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace.
• Review records or work-related injuries and illnesses
• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not following OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all identities confidential. 
• Exercise their rights under the law without retaliation, including reporting an injury or raising health and safety concerns with their employer or OSHA. If a worker had been retaliated against for using their rights, they must file a complaint with OSHA as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days.

For OSHA's regulations and standards regarding ladders, visit www.osha.gov.