Revolutionizing Safety with GORE-TEX Pyrad® for Unmatched Arc-Rated PPE Comfort

Every second counts when working with electrical hazards; without the right gear, danger can strike in a flash. Despite national regulations designed to protect employees in these high-risk environments, occupational electrocution and electricity-based injuries still occur. In partnership with GORE-TEX Pyrad^®, we have produced a line of personal protective equipment (PPE) specially engineered to mitigate risks while maximizing comfort.

Caution Electrical Hazard - The Dangers of Electricity

There are four main categories of electrical injury that workers are liable to encounter, each capable of life-changing effects:

1. Electrocution (fatal)
2. Electric shock
3. Burns
4. Falls caused by contact with electrical energy

These injuries can be sustained through several processes, including direct contact with electricity, arc discharges to a victim at ground potential, arc-induced flash burns, or flame burns from ignited clothing or other materials.¹

Warning PPE Required: The Vital Importance of Adequate Protection

This year, OSHA has reported 14 occupational electrocutions, with PPE-related violations totaling over $40,000 in penalties.² Unfortunately, this pattern aligns with a 20-year review of electrical incidents, which identified inadequate or absent PPE as a contributing factor in many accidents.³ To draw further attention to the dangers of occupational electrocutions—which contribute to 8.5 % of all build site casualties, OSHA has placed electrical hazards second in their Fatal Four OSHA, just behind fall accidents.⁴

For survivors, recovery from electrical accidents is often prolonged and expensive, as such injuries can be complex to treat.⁴ In 2020 alone, electrical injuries led to 2380 workers requiring time off, highlighting the substantial financial and operational burden on both employees and employers.⁵

Without proper protective gear—such as insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing, face shields, and dielectric footwear—electrical workers are placed at significant risk of life-threatening injuries.

Joining Comfort and Protection with GORE-TEX Pyrad^® PPE

Our partnership with GORE-TEX has resulted in an ARC-rated clothing range, designed specifically for electrical workers facing hazardous conditions. From foreman conducting emergency repairs in high winds and electricians exposed to energized switchgear to utility workers experiencing heat stress caused by confined spaces, this advanced PPE addresses the most demanding scenarios.

Crafted with revolutionary Pyrad^® fabric by GORE-TEX Labs, the range incorporates 3-layer laminate technology within a single ply. During an arc flash, the fabric forms a protective carbonaceous char, mitigating heat transfer and shielding the wearer’s skin. Tested to meet NFPA 70E standards, these garments are flame-retardant, lightweight, waterproof, and ARC rated with a PPE Category 4 rating (ATPV ≥ 40 cal/cm²).

In each Pyrad^® Fabric by Gore-Tex Labs Arc Flash Kit, you’ll find:

• Pyrad^® Jacket
• Pyrad^® Bib Overall
• Pyrad^® Lift Front Hood
• Hard Hat
• Safety Glasses
• Apparel Bag

This Pyrad^® PPE is 20% lighter than comparable products, providing unmatched comfort and the least burdensome 40-cal arc protection under 10 ounces. Its breathable design, validated by the Hohenstein Institute’s RET value rating, ensures effortless wearability during extended use, while its lightweight construction reduces strain and muscular fatigue. 

With a fully launderable jacket, this PPE supports cost savings and minimizes environmental impact by reducing landfill waste. By wearing PIP^® Pyrad^® by GORE-TEX Labs, electrical workers gain a seamless blend of protection, comfort, and sustainability—setting a new standard in electrical personal protective equipment.^6,7

Contact a member of our team today to learn more about our comprehensive Pyrad^® product offerings.

References and Further Reading

1. (1998). Worker Deaths By Electrocution: A Summary of NIOSH Surveillance and Investigative Findings. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2. Accident Search Results. Available at: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/AccidentSearch.search?p_logger=1&acc_description=electrocution&acc_Abstract=&acc_keyword=&sic=&naics=&Office=All&officetype=All&endmonth=01&endday=01&endyear=2024&startmonth=11&startday=23&startyear=2024&InspNr= (Accessed on 23 November 2024).
3. The Fire Protection Research Foundation. (2015). Occupational Injuries From Electrical Shock and Arc Flash Event. Available at: https://efcog.org/wp-content/uploads/Wgs/Safety%20Working%20Group/_Worker%20Safety%20and%20Health%20Subgroup/Electrical%20Safety%20Task%20Group/Documents/REPORT%20-%20Arc%20Flash%20Occ%20Data%20FINAL.pdf
4. (2024). “FATAL FOUR OSHA” Leading Cause of Deaths in the Construction Industry. Available at: https://www.oshaoutreachcourses.com/blog/fatal-four-osha/ (Accessed on 23 November 2024).
5. Coache, C. (2023). A Better Understanding of NFPA 70E: Part I – Comparing Four Decades of Electrical Injuries and Fatalities. NFPA. Available at: https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2023/09/19/comparing-four-decades-of-electrical-injuries-and-fatalities (Accessed on 23 November 2024).
6. PIP^®. Available at: https://us.pipglobal.com/en/products/?scID=2565&ccID=11644&sID=28186&ssID=80054&pID=156741&utm_source=AZO+Network&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=Electrical+Safety (Accessed on 23 November 2024).
7. PIP. Sales Sheet: Single Layer 9.5oz Pyrad^® Fabric By Gore-Tex^® Labs – 40 cal/cm². Available at: https://us.pipglobal.com/archive/pim/Original/34/PIP-PPE-4-40-Cal-ArcSalesSheet-102024%20(1).pdf