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Posted By Craigo Mills
My area of responsibility is under the CDM regs 2007, and all staff are expected to wear high visibility clothing along with the usual head, eye protection etc.
Can anyone give me any guidance regarding wearing high vis waistcoats whilst welding, specifically the risk of the waistcoat catching fire.
I have read a few standards such as EN471 and EN 470-1 but cannot find what I'm after.
One of my welders is disputing the requirement of wearing his high vis jacket whilst welding due to it potentially catching fire.
thanks in advance!
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Posted By Ron Hunter
You won't ask him to wear the same eye protection, why the insistence on the hi-viz?
Given the concentration required during welding, that person should be afforded every protection from possible conflict with vehicle/ site movements etc.by enclosure, barrier, segregation etc.
Depending on the nature of the work, a leather apron may be appropriate.
I understand the drive to improve standards on construction sites, but I am always wary of 'blanket' PPE 'rules' without looking at the task specific risks.
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Posted By Craigo Mills
Thanks for the informative reply.
I understand the need for flexibility, particulary when dealing with tasks such as welding, but what I am trying to discover is whether there is a genuine risk from wearing a standard high viz vest whilst welding. The welder, in order to get to the welding area must comply with our minimum PPE requirements, so he must wear it whilst on site.
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Posted By Carl Currie
have you tried talking to people such as ARCO or other major PPE suppliers. If you can find out if the Hi vis is flame retardant or not then that should hopefully if the answer is yes, solve your problem
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Posted By Jon Vitta
We had exactly the same issue as couple of months back
I told them not to wear the hi vis during welding operations, but if they we likely to be in an area near our transportation route then other controls such as barriers and timing of the work should be introduced.
We also made sure they kept their hi vis in the vicinity, so it could be donned when they left the area to have their cup of tea etc.
our site is also hi vis at all times, But flexibility would be the most sensible option in this case.
fire retardant hi vis will of course cost you more money, if in face it exists.
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Posted By Chris Jerman
Fire fighters seem to wear gear with hi viz material, so there must be an appropriate product. Possibly less about sustaining combustion and more about not melting and causing secondary problems?
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Posted By John Murgatroyd
Yes. How about the welders passing-out due to excess heat ?
Most hi-vis gear is polyester, and it melts quite well when welding sparks fall onto it. When held onto a recently welded article, it melts and then burns. Oh, ands if it is the cheap "waistcoat" type, the plastic sticks to the skin when melted. So proban [or sim] coveralls are needed under the hi-vis. The knitted type are slightly better....
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Posted By Bob Youel
Secondary glare can also be a problem, which can come from wearing hgh vis, as welders must also work to certain quality standards [especially re 'coded'areas] that can be affected by the slightest loss of concentration [you have to fully understand welding & to appreciate the situation] which reflected light can bring
its a case of balancing quality with other areas
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Posted By gerry james campbell
Work on a Pipelay barge where we have around 200 welders working on board. Try the company called `wennass` they provide coveralls with high viz flashes on the sleeves and legs that save wearing an additonal vest, and are proban/flame retardant.
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