If you are considering an FR uniform program for your workplace, you should know that your business could benefit from it in ways you don’t realize.
Our guide breaks down everything you need to know about FR uniform programs, from the basics of FR clothing to what an FR uniform program is and its benefits.
What Is FR Clothing?
Flame-resistant or flame-retardant (FR) clothing is designed to protect the wearer from flames and burns better than regular clothes. There is a difference between flame-resistant and flame-retardant, but both garments resist ignition better, can self-extinguish blazes when removed from the source, and protect the wearer’s skin from heat and burns.
There are many different levels of FR clothing, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) creates standards and codes for which FR garments are required in specific hazardous environments. FR garments come in all shapes and sizes, from FR hoodies to coveralls, shirts, pants, and hats.
Why Do Employees Need FR Uniforms?
It depends on the workplace environment and the present hazards, but any work site with fire or electrical risks requires FR clothing or uniforms for workers. Regular clothing is less protective and can exacerbate fire or electrical risks at a worksite—potentially injuring workers.
An FR uniform can be the difference between a worker going home at the end of the day or to the hospital with severe burns and injuries. FR uniforms or garments are necessary for any worksite with potential fire or electrical damage.
How Much FR Protection Do My Workers Need?
The amount of FR personal protective equipment (PPE) workers need in a workplace depends on numerous factors. The NFPA has hundreds of codes and standards for fire protection, but the most followed is the 70E code for electrical hazards and protective gear in the workplace.
The 70E code categorizes electrical and fire risks in a work environment into four categories, with one being the least risky and four being the most. In category one, workers must wear a simple base layer of FR PPE, while the fourth category requires three to four layers of protection.
What Is an FR Uniform Program?
Now we understand the basics of FR clothing and safety, but what is an FR uniform program? It is a company that supplies businesses and workplaces with the necessary FR PPE and uniforms.
The business pays the program directly for uniforms for employees or gives employees an allowance to purchase their FR PPE from the uniform program. The program ensures every employee has the proper protection and clothing for their job. It will also take care of other tasks and issues like laundry, uniform repairs, and replacements.
What Are the Benefits of an FR Uniform Program?
Why would a company purchase from an FR uniform program? We’ll go into the benefits below.
Employee Safety
The primary benefit of an FR uniform program is the assurance of employee safety at the worksite. While there are other ways to outfit workers with FR clothing, an FR uniform program ensures all employees are adequately supplied with the FR PPE they need to work safely.
An FR uniform program supplies clothing directly to the worker, so there’s no confusion about what FR garments they need for their role in the workplace. It’s clear, simple, and easy for everyone.
Attractive Brand Image
One side of every enterprise is the business and marketing aspect. Every business, big or small, wants a cohesive brand image that distinguishes them from the competition and makes them recognizable to customers and clients.
A standard FR uniform can help create a cohesive brand and personality for a business. Instead of everyone wearing their clothes, all workers have a standard uniform that gives the workplace an attractive and consistent image.
More Efficient
Outfitting every single employee with the proper FR PPE can be time-consuming and a headache, especially for companies with dozens or hundreds of workers. Instead of wasting time and resources supplying uniforms and FR garments, an FR uniform program makes the process efficient and painless.
FR uniform programs can take care of orders and issues more efficiently because it’s their only concern—whereas employers have many other things to worry about besides the uniform. An FR uniform program presents the options to employees—they choose their uniform and receive their garments in little to no time. The whole process is quick and hassle-free for everyone involved.
Correct Cleaning & Uniform Maintenance
Laundering is another aspect of uniforms that employers have to deal with. FR clothing is unlike any other garments that you throw in the washer and dryer at the end of the day and is good as new in a few hours.
Improper cleaning of FR garments can ruin other clothing in the wash and reduce the effectiveness of the FR garments. Instead of relying on employees to wash the uniforms, a uniform program can take care of all the laundry and ensure all garments are correctly cleaned without damaging the clothing. It’s easier for employees and better peace of mind for employers.
Cost Savings
Workplaces with fire or electrical hazards are required to provide workers with adequate FR PPE, but there are multiple ways to do it. One option is to give workers an allowance to buy their FR PPE.
In many cases, it’s more cost-effective for employers to hire a uniform program directly to supply FR clothing. Since they’re buying uniforms in bulk, it typically means saving money for the business over giving an allowance for workers to find their own FR garments.
Increased Productivity
Purchasing from a uniform program isn’t a guarantee that a business will run better, but there is often a productivity increase when workplaces have standard FR uniforms. For one, it means less confusion about FR clothing, and it gives workers peace of mind knowing they’ve got the protection they need.
Workers who feel safer while working are more likely to work better and harder, and they don’t have to deal with the issues of supplying their own FR clothing—they can focus on getting the job done.
Enhanced Security
Another benefit for businesses using an FR uniform program is that it makes security a little easier. Think about it—if every worker has the same uniform, it’s easy to spot someone who doesn’t belong in the workplace!
A standard FR uniform can simplify things if you’ve got a large business with security concerns.
Those are the critical things you need to know about FR uniform programs! If you think your business could benefit from a uniform program or additional FR clothing, talk to the experts at FR Outlet, and we’ll get you set up with the FR PPE you need!
