:Gear from Unipart Rail Innovation in Clothing for Safe Working with Electrification SERVING THE WORLD S RAILWAYS
Our Service Unipart Rail has partnered with PHS Besafe in creating a service to the UK rail industry to protect electrification workers from arc flash injury. Whether working on OLE or in third rail areas, this special range of PPE offers dramatic protection and significantly reduces the impact of arc flash, should it occur. With a service that covers supply, logo application and a unique washing process and repair service, this approach is the complete package to support rail companies in their work trackside and other areas where there is arc flash potential. Both companies are backed with years of experience in their fields, and are working together to create a seamless and comprehensive service for this new range of equipment. Other protective clothing can be inferior, but with the GORE-TEX quality materials, these items are made to last and to offer maximum comfort and durability.
What is an Electric Arc flash? It is a continuous electric discharge of high current between conductors, generating a very bright light and intensive heat. An arc flash can create one or two explosions within milliseconds. It generates some of the highest temperatures known to occur on earth, between 3,000 C and 20,000 C (the temperature on the surface of the sun is about 5,000 C). The intense heat from an arc flash explosion can cause a sudden expansion of air creating up to 2000/ft2 of pressure with the force of blast. A typical arc flash incident can produce more explosive energy than a pound of TNT or 8 sticks of dynamite. What type of work is conducted when an arc flash can occur? Some of the working activities when arc flash occurs include: - Removing panels and opening electrical equipment doors - Racking breakers - Opening and closing breakers - Taking voltage measurements - While live cable jointing - During phasing in operations - Racking in and out of switchgear - Reclosing of electrical switchgear onto a fault - Malfunctioning or failing switchgear - Excavating near live cables - Accidental contact with live conductors during maintenance What can cause an arc flash explosion? Arc flashes can be caused in several ways: - Poor electrical contact - Wiring errors - Tracking across insulation surfaces - Contamination such as dust on insulation surfaces - Corrosion of equipment parts and contacts - Insulation failure - Inadvertent contact with energised equipment - Inadequate maintenance Most arc accidents occur while equipment is being operated on or shortly after, hence the serious risk to workers
What are the consequences of arc flash? - Anything over 1.2 Cal/cm2 IEV (Incident Energy Value) will cause second degree burns - Burn injury through arc radiation energy or molten metal splashes - On average 25-35% of the body is injured in the event of an arc flash - Noise & pressure injury through shock wave - Inhalation injury by super heated air - Blindness, hearing loss, nerve damage and cardiac arrest - Barotrauma the effect of pressure waves on brain, nervous system and lungs - Death Current UK working regulations Currently there is no specific legislation in the UK that stipulates arc flash protective clothing must be worn. The current Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) requires an employer to: - Ensure the health and safety of all employees - Provide and maintain safe plant and systems of work - Ensure employees are competent Electricity at Work Regulations (EAWR) 1989 state in Regulation 14: No person shall be engaged in any work activity on or so near any live conductor that danger may arise unless: - It is unreasonable in all the circumstances for it to be dead, AND - It is reasonable in all the circumstances for him to be at work on or near it while it is live, AND - Suitable precautions (including where necessary the provision of suitable protective equipment) are taken to prevent injury. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 state: Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work.
Arc Flash clothing explained Arc Flash Protective Clothing Arc flash rated clothing has to be labelled as compliant with certain standards and provide a calorie rating. If it does not have at least a calorie rating, then it is better to assume that it is not arc flash clothing. What Does ATPV Mean in an Arc Rating? ATPV stands for Arc Thermal Performance Value, and it s measured in calories per square centimeter (cal/cm2) of fabric. Let s say that a certain fabric has an ATPV rating of 8 cal/cm2. That means that this fabric can protect the wearer against 8 calories of energy (flame, heat) per square centimetre. Maintaining arc flash protective workwear: Specialist laundering PHS Besafe has provided technical workwear and laundering services for over 15 years, and is one of the UK s forerunners in its field, with laundries strategically located across the UK. Conventional laundering, dry cleaning and home washing can be ineffective on heavy soiling, can dull bright colours and reflective tapes as well as damage specialist fabric finishes, reducing the workers levels of protection. PHS Besafe uses specialist laundering techniques to ensure that arc protective workwear, when washed and processed through its commercial laundries systems, is maintained thoroughly, professionally and continues to perform time and time again for the worker. The PHS Besafe laundry process for arc workwear encompasses a 12 point procedure, each part designed to ensure garments are cleaned, repaired and replaced with the maximum of care and the minimum disruption. Once the garment has gone through the wash cycle, a visual inspection is carried out to ensure contaminant removal has taken place on the garment. If required, the garments will be laundered again to ensure optimum removal of soiling has occurred. An integrity inspection is then undertaken to check zips, press studs and sealing tapes are still intact. We are able to tailor our laundry service to suit the needs and requirements of the customer and ensure: - On time deliveries on either a local or national scale - Personal, hands-on service throughout - True garments traceability - Access to a unique web portal for true account visibility - A single point of contact - Excellent wash quality
:Gear A multi layer clothing system
Standards Explained Flame Retardant - The standard is divided in different categories, where the code letters say which heat and flame requirements the garments fulfil. Each category is subdivided into different levels depending on how good the protection is. Electrostatic Resistant - This the harmonised European standard for protective clothing- protection against the danger caused by static electricity. Arc Protection - The standard tells if the garment protects against electric arc and is divided in to ATPV levels. GO/RT 3279 Railway Group Standard sets out the minimum specification for high visibility warning clothing in the Rail Industry. GO/RT Mandates the minimum requirements for high visibility clothing to ensure people are conspicuous when on the line side/trackside or on or near the line. CLASS2 EN471:200 - Class2 defines an intermediary visibility level. CLASS3 EN471:2003 - Class3 defines the highest visibility. EN343 AGAINST RAIN EN343 Protection against rain - The harmonised European standard that applies to garments worn in adverse weather conditions. PHS Besafe Laundry Suitable. All garments are suitable for PHS Besafe commercial laundry processing. GORE-TEX fabrics engineered to keep workers dry and comfortable in the most challenging weather conditions.
2 layer suit: Minimum 12cal Short Sleeved T-Shirt ATPV: 3.2 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559604 Boxer Shorts ATPV: 3.2 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559606 Hi-Vis Coverall ATPV: 8.6 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559612 CLASS3 Undergarments should not be worn in isolation, but as part of an approved multi-layered arc protective system. In order to determine the correct level of protection required, a risk assessment must be undertaken prior to clothing selection.
Short Sleeved T-Shirt ATPV: 3.2 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559604 3 layer suit: Minimum 37cal Boxer Shorts ATPV: 3.2 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559606 Hi-Vis Coverall ATPV: 8.6 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559612 CLASS3 Mid layer: Sweatshirt ATPV: 11 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559603
4 layer suit: Minimum 40cal Short Sleeved T-Shirt ATPV: 3.2 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559604 Boxer Shorts ATPV: 3.2 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559606 GORE-TEX Foul Weather Jacket ATPV: 38.6 Cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559616 Hi-Vis Coverall ATPV: 8.6 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559612 CLASS3 GORE-TEX Mid layer: Sweatshirt ATPV: 11 cal/cm2 Catalogue No: 0050/559603 Foul Weather Salopette ATPV: 38.6 Cal/cm2 Product Catalogue No: 0050/559603
EN343 AGAINST RAIN CLASS2 EN343 AGAINST RAIN CLASS2 Undergarments should not be worn in isolation, but as part of an approved multi-layered arc protective system. In order to determine the correct level of protection required, a risk assessment must be undertaken prior to clothing selection.
About Unipart The Unipart Group is a leading UK manufacturer, full service logistics provider and consultant in operational excellence. Operating across a range of market sectors, including automotive, manufacturing, mobile telecoms, rail, retail and technology, Unipart offers a breadth of services to a wide range of blue chip clients internationally. Copyright Unipart Rail. September 2014 Unipart Rail (Infrastructure) Gresty Road, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 6EH Tel: +44 (0)1270 847 600 Fax: +44 (0)1270 847 601 email: enquiries@unipartrail.com Visit www.unipartrail.com for details of our Worldwide Regional Offices