How to Layer Safely: What’s Under Your FR?

When it comes to how to wear your flame resistant protective workwear properly, one point that can be difficult to adhere to and manage is what workers are wearing underneath their FR. The standard line of advice is to wear only all-natural fibers. But how, as a safety manager, do you regulate that? And what are the dangers of noncompliance?

Why All-Natural Fibers Are Safer in a Fire

The way that natural fibers like cotton or wool behave in a fire are very different than how synthetics respond to burning. Wool has some natural flame resistance due to its high nitrogen content and tendency to hold moisture, making it slower to combust and slower to burn. Cotton burns more quickly, which can mean less time your skin is exposed to flame. Both cotton and wool leave behind ash when they burn rather than sticking to your skin.

You’re Better Off Bare Than in Synthetics

While cotton or wool will burn, they won’t melt to your skin and continue to burn the way synthetics will. Synthetic fibers are so dangerous in a fire that you would be better off wearing nothing rather than a synthetic undergarment under your FR. The way they melt and continue to burn causes devastating injuries and gruesome consequences. To remove that melted material, skin often must be removed along with it. Talk about defeating the purpose of wearing FR. Exposing your bare skin to a fire would cause less serious burns.

What counts as a synthetic material? All those athletic undershirts we love that boast “quick dry” technology or enhanced comfort are almost certainly made with a synthetic blend. Any non-FR polyester blends are also a no-go. Unfortunately for folks who wear FR, in recent years, it has gotten increasingly difficult to find 100% natural fiber undergarments. So how can safety managers be sure their employees aren’t putting themselves at greater risk of injury by wearing Under Armour under their workwear?

Layering FR for Peace of Mind

The easiest way to manage what your workers are wearing underneath their FR is to provide those garments to them by including FR undershirts in your protective workwear program. Layering FR in this way not only doubles your workers’ FR protection, it removes the possibility of them wearing something else that not only won’t protect them but will cause grievous bodily harm. 

While this of course can increase the cost of a workwear program, it’s important to remember that safety is the priority at the end of the day. If you choose not to or can’t provide FR undergarments, then it’s important to consider how you are going to ensure that workers are in fact wearing 100% natural fibers. With the consequences of being caught in a fire in synthetic material being especially dire, your employees’ safety is worth spending either the money or the time to ensure their protection is not compromised by an errant polyester-based undershirt.

Need to talk out your strategy with someone who knows all the ins and outs of FR fabrics and safety? Our team is always available to be a resource to you as you plan your safety program. Get in touch here:

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