IFSJ Exclusive: PPE to suit the modern firefighter with MSA Safety

by Featured NewsIFSJ ExclusivesPPE

Jason Traynor, General Manager of Global Fire Service Products at MSA Safety, explains how PPE has adapted to meet the changing role of today’s firefighters

The role of the firefighter has evolved in recent years, and the kinds of incidents attended by fire and rescue services (FRSs) across the globe are now more varied and complex.  Today, firefighters tend to spend a smaller percentage of their time fighting structural fires. This is partly thanks to considerable improvements in regulation and fire prevention initiatives over the last few decades, but can also be attributed to an increase in other incidents, including road and traffic collisions, and climate-related disasters, such as wildfires and flooding.

Instead, today’s fire responses tend to vary in type and complexity.  The types of events fire and rescue services are responding to range from road traffic accidents to chemical spills, medical incidents, storm damage and water rescues, and fire-related incidents ranging from structural or industrial fires to wildfires.

As a result, just as firefighters need a wide range of skills and training to operate effectively in these diverse situations, their PPE must also be adaptable and versatile so that it provides optimal protection. The challenge for PPE and fire safety equipment providers such as MSA, is to create ensembles that are lightweight, ergonomic, heat and flame resistant, and breathable, all while providing protection against pathogens, hazardous chemicals and the various elements firefighters face.

Structural Firefighting 

Full structural firefighting PPE, such as MSA’s XFlex and new Bristol X4 ranges, is a must when firefighters are called to tackle fires. These designs have a three-layer construction, with outer fabric to protect from heat and flame, while inner moisture barrier systems from WL Gore help to keep the body cool and dry. This type of PPE helps to protect firefighters from a dangerous rise in body temperature, known as heat stress.

Both ranges have been designed to be ergonomic and comfortable, providing both movement and flexibility.  Curved seams follow the shape of the body, while shoulder shaping, under arm gussets and back pleats make it easier for firefighters to move around.  Both XFlex and the Bristol X4 meet the requirements of CEN standard EN469:2020 Level 2 for firefighter protective clothing.

Urban Search & Rescue

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) PPE on the other hand, is ideal when firefighters have to work in confined spaces or attend road traffic accidents. These garments often have a two-layer construction incorporating a flame retardant outer layer with a waterproof membrane to provide flexibility and physical protection against injury when deployed in collapsed buildings or damaged vehicles, for example. MSA Bristol’s RescueFlex range consists of a rescue jacket and trouser based on our XFlex design. It is tear and puncture resistant, lightweight to minimize heat stress and provides protection against blood borne pathogens.  It also has reinforcements on the knee and elbow for protection when kneeling or crawling and offers a high level of flexibility for increased manoeuvrability.   RescueFlex meets the CEN standard EN:16689:2017 which specifies requirements for technical rescue clothing.

Increasingly, fire and rescue services are now moving towards a layered, mix-and-match approach to PPE, choosing to combine lightweight, high visibility rescue jackets with structural trousers when attending incidents like road traffic collisions.  In the UK, for example, 21 fire and rescue services across the country have procured MSA Bristol’s RescueFlex jackets in addition to full structural jackets and trousers through the Collaborative PPE Framework. 

Wildland firefighting

Specialist wildland firefighters require PPE that reflects the unique conditions faced in fighting fires on open ground, which are often highly unpredictable in nature and particularly susceptible to prevailing weather conditions and changes in wind direction.  In many areas of the world, wildland firefighting teams are largely made up of part-time volunteers, only called upon in the event of an emergency. As such, low cost, one-size-fits-all PPE designs have proven to be popular in the past, frequently featuring heavy fabrics coated with flame protection which would be washed out over time.

However, today’s fire services have a much greater understanding and acknowledgement of the dangers of wildfires, and are aware that to operate in the most safe and effective manner, firefighters require garments that are particularly light in weight and ergonomic, but also with high performance protection against flame. 

MSA Bristol’s Wildland Firefighting range has been specifically designed to offer maximum protection against fire while increasing comfort and ergonomics, therefore reducing the risk of heat-stress. The outer fabric of the garments is inherently flame retardant, meaning that its protective properties won’t be compromised when washed. The range meets the standard EN ISO: 15384:2020 for wildland firefighting clothing.

Helmets

In addition to selecting the right protective garments for the job, sourcing the right helmet to suit a variety of incidents is also crucial.  MSA’s iconic GALLET F1XF jet-style firefighting helmet continues to be a popular choice among fire services across the UK and beyond, and is suitable for structural firefighting. It offers superior, unimpeded vision in all directions, 360-degree head protection against heat and impact, and has lighting and communications integrated into the design for excellent quality radio communication.  Functional and versatile, the GALLET F1XF fits particularly well with MSA Bristol’s protective hoods and structural firefighting jackets.  

However, in response to the need for a more versatile helmet suitable for rescue operations, MSA has created the new GALLET F2XR – the first and only firefighters’ helmet on the market that can be used in a wide range of applications, including wildland firefighting and technical rescue operations, rescue at height and water rescue operations. 

Owing to its modular and versatile design, the GALLET F2XR suits a wide variety of working environments and meets the latest standards for Helmets for Wildland Firefighting (EN16471), Helmets for Technical Rescue (EN16473), Helmets for Mountaineers (EN12492), and Helmets for Water Rescue, and is compliant on both non-motorised and motorised rescue crafts (EN1385 +PAS028).

The new design features substantial upgrades in technology integration, comfort, weight and balance – all without compromising the quality, durability and safety performance expected from the MSA Gallet brand.  Innovative features include a retractable ocular visor which can be adjusted to fit the face, and fully integrated LED lamps including both a dual-beam headlamp providing spot lighting and a tail-light to help quickly identify teams on an incident scene. 

To ensure optimal airflow and keep wearers cool in hot weather, the helmet also incorporates dual ventilation on the side and at the top of the helmet.  Additional click-in accessories such as a face shield to guard against arc flash injuries and earmuffs for hearing protection with integrated communications, makes the F2XR helmet suitable for a wider range of operations. 

At MSA Safety, we are constantly adapting and updating our range of products so that they best serve the needs of the modern firefighter.   The success of the GALLET F2XR rescue helmet, along with the RescueFlex and Wildland Firefighting PPE ranges, demonstrates that it is possible to design and engineer integrated, adaptable and versatile PPE, suitable for a variety of applications, allowing fire and rescue services to better adapt to new scenarios and situations. 

While the role of a firefighter has diversified in recent years, I am proud that the PPE industry has risen to the challenge, creating new designs and styles that offer the very best protection for the job in hand.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue receives suite of mechanical cleaning equipment

by Featured NewsPPE

Dräger has provided a suite of mechanical cleaning equipment for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s new purpose-built breathing apparatus training centre to deliver a consistent standard of equipment disinfection and hygiene.

The mechanical cleaning equipment is designed to clean, disinfect, and dry self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and face masks, to ensure that equipment is ready and safe for both training and incident use. The mechanical cleaning machines can mitigate issues relating to inconsistencies in manual cleaning, such as the amount of detergent used, water temperature, etc. and optimise the removal of carcinogens and other harmful germs and contagions. They also help to further the life span of SCBA, by protecting materials used.

Dräger’s Cleaning Solution package includes Harstra’s Wash 9DR and Wash 6DR mechanical cleaning machines and M45 drying cabinet.

The compact Wash 9DR stainless steel cleaning machine is an automatic solution for cleaning breathing masks that has low water and energy consumption. The Wash 6DR is designed for higher volumes of complete breathing apparatus, including full face masks, compressed air breathing apparatus, helmets and back plates (without the cylinder).

In-built dosing pumps can ensure consistency of cleaning, and the high-pressure 4-sided bayonet nozzles maintain water pressure during the professional cleaning process, preventing moisture from getting into equipment. Two compartments prevent cross-contamination and during washing the doors are electrically locked.

Lancashire’s £6 million training centre, based in Chorley, will provide the latest facilities and training to firefighters in the county. The school includes a network of classrooms and workshop areas where delegates will learn how to prepare, operate and service SCBA. Facilities include a purpose-built dirty-to-clean layout designed to minimise the spread of, and exposure to, contaminants during the removal of equipment and changing out of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Modular in design and simple to use, the mechanical cleaning machines can be configured to suit specific workshop areas and capacity requirements, with washing and rinsing cycle options available in as low as 5, 10 and 22 minutes and featuring in-built water softening.

Rod Steele, Station Manager at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, commented: “Our SCBA equipment is manufactured by Dräger, and because the company is leading its field in cleaning and disinfectant, it was obvious that we also procured cleaning equipment from Dräger. We’re extremely happy with the new facility and proud that it helps to enhance the safety of our firefighters.”

Liz Millward, Marketing Manager Emergency and Rescue Services at Draeger Safety UK, said: “Lancashire’s breathing apparatus school is unique for the fact that it is purpose built, enabling them to design ideal workflows that limit spread and exposure to carcinogens and other harmful and contagious germs from used kit. Mechanical cleaning equipment helps further this goal, and it is excellent to see it being promoted in such a prominent new firefighting facility.”

Fire-Dex launches NFPA 1951 Certified Technical Rescue Glove

by Featured NewsPPE

Fire-Dex, a fast-growing manufacturer of PPE for first responders, has introduces the Dex-Rescue Glove, the the industry’s first non-structural glove certified to NFPA 1951 (“Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents”).

The new glove is designed to bring wearers the very best in puncture resistance and flash fire protection. The glove is also durable and comfortable meaning it will not melt or ignite due to a flash fire or restricting manual dexterity in critical moments.

Todd Herring, Vice President, Product Innovation and Strategy for Fire-Dex, commented: “There are vast numbers of extrication gloves on the market, but are not certified to NFPA 1951. Our close work with extrication specialists has highlighted protection priorities that are much different for technical rescue than for structural firefighting. We saw this as an opportunity to give emergency responders the specialized protection they deserve.”

Dex-Rescue Gloves meet the industry’s highest standards for cut, abrasion and comfortability while helping wearers maintain a better grip on potentially dangerous situations with enhanced features.

The gloves feature:

  • Pigskin construction for abrasion resistance and breathability in wet and dry conditions
  • Goatskin finger sidewalls to help improve manual dexterity by remaining soft and pliable over time
  • Smart-touch materials making it easy to use mobile devices in the field without removing one’s gloves
  • Rollover fingertips for increased dexterity and gripping power
  • Keystone thumb design permitting a 360° range of motion for added flexibility
  • Dex-Flex fingers that are naturally bent to reduce restriction and hand fatigue.
  • Impact guards providing sturdy knuckle and finger protection from impacts, cuts and punctures

The Dex-Rescue Gloves has been crafted with all types of technical rescue missions in mind for anything from chemical spills to electrical incidents to wildland emergencies.

Visit Firedex.com to see new Dex-Rescue Gloves and more options for top-quality PPE from head to toe.

IFSJ Exclusive: Pacific Helmets talks safety without compromise

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Pacific Helmets’ Sales and Development Manager, Lee-Anne Glanville-Rothman, talks about Haloflex technology, helmet maintenance and the company’s international ambition

Pacific Helmets was established back in 1982 by David and Marion Bennett with the ambition of getting New Zealand Governments to mandate a safety standard for riding bicycles. David’s passion for safety drove the business forward moving from non-emergency services’ head protection into the realm of emergency services and technical rescue.

The first large scale tender which Pacific Helmets won for structure firefighting helmets was for the London Fire Brigade. This tender was the pivotal point in the company’s manufacturing evolution and the reason it continues to deliver quality products without compromising the end users’ safety.

We spoke to Lee-Anne Glanville-Rothman, Sales Development Manager, at Pacific Helmets to find out about the company’s new products and why “Safety without compromise” is the manufacturer’s mantra that it lives and breathes.

Tell me about your role at Pacific Helmets?

I was born and raised in South Africa and moved to New Zealand in 2017. I’ve always had a knack for technical applications and had developed a good understanding of the technical world when I moved. I joined Pacific Helmets in October 2021 which has served as my introduction into the fire and safety world. It’s been a great challenge and one that I’ve really enjoyed.

My role at the company is Head of Sales, Marketing and R&D. I work with a group that I’m lucky to have in my charge because we go head-to-head with some of the biggest competitors around the globe.

What is Pacific Helmets’ current focus?

We have a new product launching in the first quarter of 2023: the F20, with Haloflex™ technology. Everything in this helmet moves away from your traditional approach of the internal padding and soft components and suspension points. Our focus was full decontamination, ease of use and weight reduction. We’ve spent countless hours reading and listening to the studies which are available and ensured that our pursuit and design addressed as many of the concerns and requirements as possible.

The F20 has a ‘quick clip-in clip-out’ comfort padding system. You can disassemble and reassemble the soft components within 60 seconds. The design focused on ‘tool-free maintenance’ with the components that need to be changed out often. This approach aimed at reducing the necessity of a repair agent servicing the helmet, and the user being without their helmet for a period.

The repair works can be brought inhouse with training provided to guarantee the helmet’s integrity is not compromised. We’ve also reduced the weight of the helmet by 100-150 grams (depending on the standard) and we look forward to hopefully reducing that more in future developments. Haloflex marks the new innovative way forward for our company. We’re wanting to make waves in the industry and we’re going to be incorporating it into more of our product range.

What other new products have you been working on?

In our structural fire range, we have the one touch eye protector (OTEP™). You don’t have to pull it down manually. You push it up and it deploys. There is a small grub screw which allows for height adjustment to suit the individual wearer. The new rescue eye protector (Rescue EP) designed for our R6 rescue range will be available in the first quarter of 2023. The methodology of modular connection provides flexibility to end users to add and replace accessories if and when required. The Rescue EP moves away from the current attachment method towards a ‘retrofit’ which end users can complete themselves or our distributors before shipping the products out. A key focus of the design was adjustability – it’s not just a stationary eye protector. You can shift it forward and back to the wearer’s face, easily accommodating many face shapes and spectacles.

What advice do you have for firefighters with regards to longevity?

It is important to make sure that the chemicals or materials you’re using to clean the helmets comply with the manufacturer’s suggestions. This is normally within a specific pH range and we have that in our user information guides (UIG). We also, depending on the material you have internally for lining, suggest you clean and disinfect your internal soft components in accordance with the UIG or manufacturers guidelines.

You recently appointed Venari Group as your UK distributor – how did that come about?

Venari’s Oliver North and John Purdy approached us to open a conversation around the potential to supply Pacific Helmets products into the UK market. John, an ex-fireman, knew of the Pacific Helmets brand and thought the partnership would be a great match. I am excited to see what we will achieve together in the Fire and technical rescue market. The aim is to be accessible and visible while rebuilding our brand recognition with Venari.

What are Pacific Helmets’ plans for the future?

Our goal is to improve our market share and presence within the US. Our brand is well recognised and asked for by name, which is a great position to be in, specifically when your aim is to gain a larger share of the market.

The digital strategy project will provide an improved presence, not only through the US but globally to our current and future end users. The aim is to improve product data availability, easy access to technical documents, increase our distributors presence and locations, and build a space that improves the positive word of mouth advertising from impressions.

Our business has grown to this point from word of mouth. We have an opportunity to reach across multiple platforms, globally, to showcase what we offer and who we are. That’s what I am aiming at: building and becoming a ‘First responders’ brand of choice’.

Finally, what sets Pacific Helmets apart from other manufacturers?

We are head protection experts. Our focus and drive are bringing the best products and innovative designs to life. This platform provides ample room to think outside the box and in a few instances, we have been first to market with our products designs.

What we deliver to the end user brings them home safely. We do not skimp on quality or cut corners when it comes to making sure that out helmets pass and exceed standards. That’s been the driving heartbeat at Pacific Helmets, and it will forever beat strongly.

This article was originally published in the November edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Machine vs manual BA mask cleaning with MEIKO

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TopClean M from MEIKO is designed to make the BA mask cleaning process fast, cheap and hygienic

Working by hand is not to be underestimated – but it is not the best option for cleaning BA masks or regulators. In response to the length of time it takes to effectively clean this vital piece of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE), MEIKO has developed TopClean M: a cleaning solution that is designed to be fast, hygienic and cost effective.

The problem

When on duty, firefighters must rely completely on their colleagues and their equipment. In Germany they refer to this as the “safety chain”. The safety chain combines all actions, methods, tactics, equipment and appliances associated with the safe use of respiratory protection and, in extreme cases, makes it possible to safely rescue the wearer of respiratory protection equipment by means of respiratory protection emergency rescue.

The safety chain includes all safety philosophy associated with respiratory protection during preparation for deployment, deployment itself and post-processing. Breaking the safety chain can put the life of the person wearing respiratory protection equipment at risk.

The post-processing referred to includes the cleaning of respiratory protective equipment. In the same way that certain hazardous situations can only be combatted by following certain processes. These valid processes are a great help when cleaning PPE.

Valid processes are not guaranteed in manual cleaning. Like many processes that are carried out by hand, manual cleaning is prone to error: incorrect dosing of the chemicals used, insufficient wetting of products, not enough application time – or too much application time, if you get distracted by another task in the middle of manual cleaning.

This is exactly what happened at one fire service. The results: the BA masks were left in the cleaning bath much longer than they should have been. The softener in the rubber parts of the mask dissolved, causing black marks on the firefighters’ faces the next time they used them.

The solution

To ensure that firefighter masks remain robust and are not damaged during the cleaning process, MEIKO developed the TopClean M: a modular system for cleaning of respirators, full-face masks, regulators and SCBA frames.

Unlike with manual cleaning, damage to BA masks like this will not happen with the TopClean M as all the parameters associated with the cleaning process (time, chemicals, mechanics, temperature) are predefined and run reliably.

The integrated door locking ensures that the processes cannot be interrupted once the start button has been pressed.

And a built-in empty indicator ensures that cleaning cannot commence without sufficient chemicals. According to the expert opinion of Professor Walter Popp, Head of Hospital Hygiene at Essen University Hospital, following intensive testing, he said that: “TopClean M delivers good cleaning and disinfection performance. (…) As a general rule it is preferable to use a machine rather than manual methods to clean BA masks.”

User safety

If manual cleaning is not carried out under the correct conditions, users can be put at an even greater disadvantage: cleaning vapours can be inhaled, chemicals can damage the skin and contaminated PPE can even harm those it is designed to protect. By contrast, machine cleaning is completed in a closed system, i.e. inside the TopClean M. What this means above all, is more safety and security for users, as they do not come into direct contact with the cleaning chemicals.

Saving time

Another disadvantage of manual disinfection is that it takes up the valuable capacities of respiratory protective equipment technicians – in particular when they are charged with removing all traces of chemicals from the equipment they are tasked with cleaning.

If it takes an average of 4.5 hours to complete the cleaning and disinfection process manually for 4 BA masks, using TopClean can reduce this time by 60%. All the technician has to do, is to take the BA masks apart, place them into the baskets and subsequently put them back together and carry out standard checks. TopClean M does the rest, with programme cycle times of between 6 and 10 minutes.

Using the TopClean M, up to four BA masks can be cleaned and disinfected simultaneously in next to no time, or eight regulators, or four BA masks and four regulators simultaneously.

Thomas Happersberger, Commander of Lahr City Fire Service, said that the MEIKO solution was an improvement on their previous methods: “Our previous manual process was reliable, of course. But the TopClean M and machine cleaning takes things to a whole new level, by giving us a much more consistent and reliable process.”

Olaf Fernys, who together with a colleague, is responsible for cleaning 892 BA masks and 661 regulators at Leipzig’s fire rescue headquarters, summarises all of these arguments quite simply: “It is not just about saving time; the improvement in safety and hygiene delivered by the TopClean M from MEIKO is more important.”

Machine cleaning in the TopClean M also means more safety and security for respiratory protective equipment technicians, because the cleaning and disinfection process delivered by the machine is approved by leading BA mask manufacturers.

Find out more about Meiko’s TopClean M at www.meiko-uk.co.uk

This article was originally published in the November edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Put your best boot forward with HAIX

by Breaking NewsIFSJ ExclusivesPPE
Simon Ash, UK & Ireland Sales Manager at global footwear specialist HAIX, talks innovation, the Fire Eagle 2.0, and firefighting boot maintenance and longevity

What is HAIX working on just now?

For fire specifically, we’ve recently launched the Fire Eagle 2.0. The original Fire Eagle has been our hero product for the last five to six years. During research and development, we looked at the changing role of the firefighter, considering that as fewer house fires break out, more firefighters are supporting with wildfires and road traffic accidents and need footwear that can handle the evolving demands of the job. We also wanted to respond to customers who were looking for a structural fire boot and a moorland fire boot and asked if we have anything that does both.

We launched the original Fire Eagle in 2015 at INTERSCHUTZ, the world’s leading trade fair for the fire and rescue services, civil protection, safety and security solutions. We wanted the entire typical safety features one would expect in a HAIX boot combined with less weight, more flexibility and greater comfort. The boot has seen recognition worldwide, with the Bavarian fire service among the first to test the boot and compare it to “a comfortable sports shoe”.

The most critical difference between the original boot and its successor, the Fire Eagle 2.0, is an updated design and a new, innovative quick-fit fastener system which is a world first. The RAPIDfit system gives firefighters the quickest way to pull a boot on and fits to the individual foot in just one movement, critical when a call comes in and every second counts. 

We’ve also just launched a wildfire boot, the Missoula 2.0. With wildfire firefighting, firefighters are on their feet for a long time. Walking miles and miles across moorlands and challenging terrain requires footwear that feels like a hiking boot. While a lot of wildfire firefighters wear the Fire Eagle because it is comfy, our wildfire boot is best for all terrains and offers a classic lacing system.

HAIX footwear is a premium product, how do you overcome the cost barrier?

There may be cheaper boots out there, but HAIX boots will last longer HAIX footwear also offers advanced postural support, meaning less time off sick. And ultimately, a happier firefighter.

We understand that budgets are tight in all industries, and we will be as competitive as we can. But not all PPE is created equal, and we cannot fall into the false economy of buy cheap, buy twice. Firefighters deserve more than uncomfortable boots that could leak and need replacing after a year.  This is particularly an issue when departments only do a tender every five to seven years, and boots aren’t replaced unless they have become contaminated or need to be issued to new recruits.

Long-lasting quality has been the HAIX ethos since its founding in 1948 by Xaver Haimerl. Xaver’s son, Ewald, had risen to the rank of deputy chief of Mainburg fire service while working as a certified master shoemaker in his father’s factory. In 1992, when finding that he and his colleagues weren’t satisfied with the rubber boots they had to wear on duty at the time, Ewald decided to design a collection of functional leather firefighting boots for his colleagues that would set new standards of functionality, protection and comfort. The boots were so well regarded that HAIX began selling them, expanding into developing footwear for rescue workers and the police the following year.

Do you have any tips for boot maintenance?

Decontamination is key. Fires produce a cocktail of toxic, irritant and carcinogenic chemicals in the form of aerosols, dusts, fibres, smoke and fumes or gases and vapours, thereby increasing cancer risks and lung deterioration. Decontamination and cleaning procedures enroute to, during and after a fire can reduce, minimise or eliminate exposure hazards.

Wearers exposed to hazardous chemicals and pathogens need to follow the relevant cleaning and decontamination precautions in line with legal regulations to limit exposure and risk of harm to themselves and others. Anyone involved in the handling, sorting, bagging, transporting and laundering of contaminated footwear must wear utility gloves and appropriate PPE to prevent exposure.

We work with The Boot Repair Company to support our customers with proper decontamination or replace the boot in part or in whole. Regularly inspecting safety boots is particularly important for emergency service workers to avoid unnecessary injury. However, while a sole is vulnerable to wear and tear, a nicely broken-in upper can escape virtually unscathed and have tons of life left in it. We’ve found that HAIX boots can be re-soled around three times because the thick upper leather is so strong.

Our partner, The Boot Repair Company, can repair, stitch and welt each boot by hand using original HAIX components, which are 100% manufactured in Europe to meet socially responsible guidelines. A full resole offers renewed grip and posture and can double the life expectancy of HAIX footwear.

From a boot care perspective – wearers should use proper polish, wash them down, keep the leather nourished, and avoid over-drying them by exposing them to prolonged heat as the leather might crack.

Why should firefighters invest in their footwear?

Selecting safety footwear should be taken seriously, considering both the long-term benefits and potential impacts incorrect choices can have. From a financial perspective, buying quality items saves money – even if the initial expense is higher.  But you can’t put a price on health and safety. Ill-fitting or poor-quality footwear can leave firefighters vulnerable to developing or worsening musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Research has shown that at least 50% of workers are exposed to the risk of MSDs due to spending prolonged hours standing at work.

Firefighters can reduce the risk by choosing footwear designed with superior cushioning technology and constructed from smarter materials. Modern materials used in the interior lining of boots can help prevent blisters and soft-tissue injury by reducing friction and pressure. Discomfort, whether from ill-fitting footwear or from friction injuries such as blisters, can lead to changes in natural body posture while standing or walking.

When suffering such injuries, we may tend to ‘favour’ weight bearing on a non-injured foot (limping, for example), or standing in an unnatural position to avoid pain or discomfort. This can lead to strain or injury in turn, or if left uncorrected longer term can potentially lead to more serious musculoskeletal disorders. It is important to invest in boots with a climatic control system that regulates temperatures within the boot because damp feet are more likely to experience friction injuries. Quality is also vital to ensure longevity.

Every outside component of a HAIX firefighter boot must survive ten seconds of flame treatment without damage or burning and be able to withstand 250°C for 40 minutes without major damage to the sole. Although laboratory testing and development is a foundation of any high-quality product, HAIX’s commitment to wearer trials takes things a step further.

Testers are equipped with boots for months at a time to use during their day-to-day routine activities to ensure boots are built to last. Ultimately, investing in high-quality footwear provides a long-term investment that supports wearer health as well as safety.

This article was originally published in the November edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Bollé Safety Platinum technology sets the anti-fog standard

by Featured NewsPPE

At the ExpoProtection exhibition, Bollé Safety revealed the results of the tests carried out on its Platinum technology: an exclusive anti-fog and anti-scratch coating applied on both sides of the lenses of its premium range of products.

The safety glasses’ market is regulated in Europe by the EN166 standard. If lenses are marked with the letter K – resistance to abrasion – and the letter N – resistance to fogging – this means that the equipment guarantees the wearer resistant protection against fog and (micro) scratching. The Bollé Safety brand called upon the independent laboratory POURQUERY to evaluate the effectiveness of its Platinum technology.

The representative sample of Bollé Safety glasses tested resists the appearance of fog for 15 minutes above a source of steam. A figure 100 times higher than the requirements defined within the EN166 standard.

The representative sample of Bollé Safety glasses tested retains its properties (K & N) even after 100 cleanings. The coating also responds positively to the autoclave resistance test, a product disinfection often used in clean rooms. The coating starts to degrade but still remains effective after 30 autoclave cycles of 20 minutes at 121°C.

It was found that out of the 9 most used chemicals in industry, PLATINUM is resistant to 8 of them and retains its K and N properties after being in contact with these products.

Bollé Safety will be present at ExpoProtection, the exhibition of prevention and management of professional risks from November 15th to 17th on the stand P50. For 3 days, the brand will exhibit the Platinum models of each of its market segments (industry, health, cleanrooms, tactical, defense). As the international leader in PPE eye protection, Bollé Safety continues its technological innovations to offer workers more comfort and safety daily.

Image Credit: Copyrights Frédéric Bourcier pour Bollé Safety

Growth ahead for global protective clothing market

by Featured NewsPPE

The Global Protective Clothing Market size, which was valued at USD 9.1 billion in 2021, is expected to reach USD 15.2 billion by 2030 according to a new report.

The research report, published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, said that Global Protective Clothing Market Size will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% during the forecast period. 

As workers become more aware of how important keeping safe is as the industrial sector continues to grow, protective clothing will be in high demand in all industries because of the many complex dangers involved.

Due to strict safety rules in place in all industrial sectors, markets are growing in many end-use industries, such as construction and oil and gas. Asia- Pacific is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period, followed by North America and Europe.

Based on end use, the protective clothing market is categorized into Oil & Gas, Military and Defense, Construction and Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals/Medical, Firefighting, and others.

The construction and manufacturing segment is to hold a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The building and construction industry bought the most protective clothing because it was strong, durable, and resistant to abrasion, organic solvents, and high temperatures. In this end-use industry, the most important thing driving the market is that Europe and North America are putting strict health and safety rules in place. In a short amount of time, it is expected this market segment will grow.

Thermal garments are expected to hold higher CAGR during the forecast period as thermal protection apparel needs to be comfortable in addition to having properties such as resistance to fire and oil, simplicity of washing, and integration of seamless fabric.

Stricter fire safety rules and recommendations for lessening the likelihood of a fire breaking out in an industrial setting contribute to expanding the global market for protective apparel.

Exclusive: Staying ahead of the fire with VIKING

by Breaking NewsPPE
VIKING’s new IGNIS series of fire suits have been designed from scratch to achieve the highest standards in protection while meeting today’s demands for comfort, visibility and durability

While Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) captured wildfires burning the highest amount of land in Europe (659,541 hectares) in the year to mid-August 2022 since records began in 2006 from on high, it was once again left to firefighters on the ground to get to the heart of the matter.

During August’s heatwave, one blaze alone in southwestern France set light to 7,000 hectares, with French authorities requesting attendance from over 1,000 firefighters and requesting support from organisations in Austria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Romania.

But the rising wildfire menace is only one cue for what VIKING Life-Saving Equipment believes has been an overdue reappraisal of firefighter needs, and the development of two new fire suits that the Danish company says meet and exceed the imperatives of certification, function, comfort and asset management.

“We gave our designers a free hand to start from scratch and deliver high-performance fire suits that go beyond latest protection standards while bringing gains for comfort, visibility and greater freedom of movement,” says Gitte Schou Jensen, Product Manager Fire, VIKING.

Structural firefighting

The VIKING IGNIS EN469 is a testament to VIKING’s strong position as a supplier of PPE for structural firefighting. With an optimised overall fit, VIKING IGNIS EN469 also features reflective piping to emphasise contours for greater visibility and safety without compromising breathability, while extra para-aramid reinforcements at the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and bottom of the legs provide maximum durability in challenging conditions.

Jensen tells: “We’ve also ensured that the jacket is designed for optimised mobility at the shoulders and arms with pockets in all the right places. The trousers are also ergonomically designed for maximum comfort and unhindered movement.”

PartX Particle Protection

 As an added safety feature, the VIKING IGNIS EN469 is available with optional PartX Particle Protection, adds Jensen. The result of years of development, refinement and rigorous testing, VIKING’s PartX solution draws on technological progress in PPE materials, multi-layered designs and particle filtering capabilities.

“Facing danger is part of the job for firefighters, but exposure to potentially carcinogenic particles represents a continuous risk whose consequences can be just as serious: that also demands innovation,” says Jensen.

Firmly closed PartX cuffs feature a special filtering solution to defend against particle entry without uncomfortable tightening around the wrists, while the PartX closure at the bottom of the legs helps prevent particles from slipping under the hemline without reducing mobility.

Wildland firefighting and technical rescue

Though completely new to the European market, the VIKING IGNIS WTR builds on VIKING’s experience as a supplier of multi[1]certified ‘VIKING SHIELD’ suits in North America. The VIKING IGNIS WTR delivers protection to exceed technical rescue (EN ISO 11612EN) and wildland fire (EN ISO 15384) standards.

“As the frequency of wildfires continues to rise in Europe, the VIKING IGNIS WTR suits meet the specific challenges faced in technical rescue situations,” says Jensen. “Designed for constant wear in changing work environments, they have all the features you expect from VIKING for comfortable, durable protection, and are dual approved to technical rescue and wildland firefighting standards.”

Track and Trace

The attention to detail involved in the IGNIS series’ design extends to the VIKING Track and Trace that helps fire services manage their fire suit portfolio, including the washing and reimpregnation process.

Via a smartphone app or customer portal, the user simply scans the bar code or the NFC chip on the suit and then registers information about exposure to dangerous particles, washings, maintenance and repair.

Fire services can use the information to get an overview of the suit per individual and the overall status of suits for the entire department. This overview can help improve washing routines, for example by using information to ensure that reimpregnation can be scheduled to help reduce firefighter exposure to contamination.

The system is also a key component of VIKING’s PartX Particle Protection Technology concept, that includes features that help reduce particle entry. A new PartX washing bag for storage and washing also keeps exposure to potentially harmful particles to a minimum by reducing handling of soiled suit. The bag includes a specially designed zipper that releases the suit during the wash cycle.

“The investment in digital asset management techniques represents an additional dimension in VIKING’s approach to providing high-quality PPE that can be relied upon to save lives in any situation,” adds Jensen.

International Brand Group to distribute Totectors safety footwear

by Featured NewsPPEProducts

International Brands Group (IBG) has agreed nationwide distribution for Totectors brand of safety footwear brand through Travis Perkins the Nationwide Timber and Builders Merchants.

Totectors has been synonymous with safety footwear since 1944. The original safety toe boots worn by military, industrial and construction personnel across the world. The boots are made to be strong and dependable, just like the men and women and women that wear them.

75 years on Totectors has been designed to Challenge Status Quo, gone are the heavy, bulky, old-school styles, replaced with sleek, lightweight styles you’ll be happy to keep on your feet at the end of the working day.

Glen Richards, Commercial Director of IBG commented: “It was our plan to make Totectors available to Tradespeople up and down the country, we recognise Travis Perkins as the most reputable timber and building merchants, so we are therefore delighted to have secured Nationwide Distribution through their extensive branch network.”