Archive for the ‘Protective Apparel’ Category
Protective Apparel
July 18th, 2009 | 
Author: Safety Supplies Michigan
Hazardous & Non-Hazardous Protective Apparel
There are a number of types of outer clothing including non-hazardous apparel (for use in oil, dirt and grime where the wearer does not want to get clothes soiled), and hazardous apparel, including toxic waste, fire retardant and chemical apparel.
The non-hazardous apparel is usually called “Limited Use and/or Disposable.” This type of clothing comes in a variety of styles. The wearer can have items by the piece; pants, jacket, sleeves, boots, apron, hood and full face hood and shield or he can wear One-Piece Coveralls that can come with elastic wrist/ankle bands for a tighter fit. The coveralls can come with boots, hoods and complete hood w/face shield.
Lakeland makes their disposable garments from two types of material, MicroMAX, which is general purpose protective material that can be used in any non-hazardous environment. MicroMAX is comprised of a microporous film with a nylon scrim between the film and the sub-strate, this gives the material added strength. The other material is “Tyvek”.
There are different types of MicroMAX clothing signified by the type of use, seam joints and composition. They are HBF, NS and NS Cool Suit.
HBF utilizes the fabric structure to limit challenge material penetration through the fabric. The same fabric structure, when combined with the physical properties of the melt-blown layer, promotes the exchange of air and moisture between the inside of the fabric and the exterior. The result is outstanding barrier and comfort. NS features high MVTR’s and is breathable for worker comfort. MicroMAX® NS is strong, wet or dry. NS Cool Suit is made with the same material with an added spunbond polypropylene back panel. This give the suit added breathability.
The different types of stitching used in the clothing are Serged Seams, Sewn and Bound Seams and Heat Sealed Seams. A serged seam joins two pieces of material with a thread that interlocks. This is an economical stitching method for general applications. It is more commonly found on limited use clothing where dry particles are of a concern.
A sewn and bound seam joins two pieces of material with an overlay of similar material and is chain stitched through all of the layers for a clean finished edge. This provides increased holdout of liquids and dry particulates.
A heat sealed seam is sewn and then sealed with a heat activated tape. This method provides liquid proof seams, and is especially useful for Level A and B chemical protective clothing.
The basic OSHA Standard calls for 4 levels of protection, A – D and it also specifies in detail the equipment and clothing required to protect the wearer. Lakeland makes Level A and Level B apparel.
Level A represents the greatest danger to respiratory, eye and/or skin damage from hazardous vapors, gases, particulates, sudden splash, immersion or contact with haz-mat. It calls for total Encapsulation in a vapor tight chemical suit with self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or supplied air.
Level B situations calls for the highest degree of respiratory protection but a lesser degree of skin protection. It calls for SCBA or positive pressure supplied air with escape SCBA. Level B suits can be fully encapsulated or pieced together in various garments.
Lakeland Industries is a licensed manufacturer of quality Tyvek® Protective Wear™ products. Lakeland is a registered company manufacturing to ISO 9001 specifications. Additionally, our Tyvek® Protective Wear™ meets or exceeds ANSI 101-1996 sizing requirements, and are required to pass dynamic fit tests to minimize rips and tears. All Tyvek® Protective Wear™ garments are clearly marked with a blue label to distinguish them from others which may have not been manufactured from Tyvek® or under the entire quality system. It’s your assurance of quality manufacturing that strengthens your safety combination.
Posted in 
