What is the primary purpose of flame resistant clothing?

The primary purpose of flame-resistant clothing is to minimize injuries caused by electric arcs. This type of clothing is specifically designed to withstand and self-extinguish in the presence of flame or high heat, which is crucial for workers in environments where they might be exposed to electrical hazards. When an arc flash occurs, the heat generated can ignite regular clothing, leading to severe burns or injury. Flame-resistant clothing creates a protective barrier that significantly reduces the risk of such injuries by delaying the ignition and supporting the rapid dissipation of heat.

In addition to its protective properties, flame-resistant clothing is often made with fabrics that do not melt or drip, which would exacerbate burn injuries. Understanding this is vital for linemen and other electrical workers, as their jobs may entail working near live electrical systems where arc flash incidents can occur.