August 12, 2026
Bullish on PPE: Ride Out Danger with the Right Gear
July 21, 2025
Professional bull riding may be known as the most dangerous eight seconds in sports, but the lessons riders learn about safety, awareness, and protective gear closely mirror what industrial workers face in flash fire environments. At the 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft, Tyndale and Ariat teamed up with rodeo legends Cody Lambert, Daniel Keeping, and rising star John Crimber to explore how the right PPE can make the difference between walking away safely and suffering life-changing injuries.
Watch the full behind-the-scenes video from the 2024 PBR Draft featuring Tyndale, Ariat, Cody Lambert, Daniel Keeping, and John Crimber.
Two Dangerous Worlds. One Safety Mindset.
Whether you’re climbing onto a bucking bull or stepping into a hazardous industrial environment, the fundamentals of survival remain the same: training, awareness, and trusted protective equipment.
Training
As Ariat athlete John Crimber explained, “You can’t get on something that’s above your level.” Industrial workers face the same reality. Understanding hazards, following safety procedures, and respecting the limits of both skill and equipment are essential for reducing risk.
Situational Awareness
In bull riding, one moment of distraction can lead to devastating injuries. The same is true on industrial jobsites. Complacency increases the risk of exposure to flash fires, arc flashes, and other workplace hazards.
Workers who remain alert and properly equipped are better positioned to respond quickly in emergency situations.
Trusted PPE
From professionally tested helmets and vests used in bull riding to NFPA 2112 compliant flame resistant clothing used in industrial settings, properly selected PPE plays a critical role in injury prevention.
The right workplace safety gear cannot eliminate hazards, but it can significantly reduce injury severity and improve survival outcomes.
Meet the Riders Behind the Safety Message
John Crimber
John Crimber, the youngest rider ever to surpass $1 million in career earnings, understands firsthand how critical protective gear can be. After enduring dangerous impacts in the arena, properly fitted safety equipment helped protect him from potentially catastrophic injuries.
Daniel Keeping
Daniel Keeping, a key contributor to the Texas Rattlers’ championship success, has experienced the consequences of riding both with and without protective gear.
“I’ve lost teeth not wearing a helmet before. Broke my jaw. Been stepped on in the ribs, in the belly, been hit in the face a couple times. I’ve experienced both with gear and without gear, and with the gear is a lot better.”
Cody Lambert
Hall of Fame rider Cody Lambert helped revolutionize rodeo safety through the introduction of the protective vest.
“You don’t wear it for the ride you plan—you wear it for the one you don’t see coming.”
That same philosophy applies directly to industrial PPE programs and FR clothing compliance.
Why Everyday Workwear Can Increase Flash Fire Risk
One of the biggest misconceptions about flash fire injuries is that the fire itself causes the most damage. In many cases, the greater danger comes from everyday clothing igniting, continuing to burn, or melting onto the skin.
Unlike standard apparel, flame resistant (FR) clothing is engineered to self-extinguish once the ignition source is removed. FR garments are specifically designed to reduce burn injury severity and help provide workers with valuable escape time during a flash fire event.
FR clothing also helps reduce secondary injuries caused by melting synthetic fibers, which can worsen burns during thermal incidents.
The solution is simple: don’t wear fuel.
Over 40 Years of Trusted FR Protection
For more than four decades, Tyndale has helped protect workers in high-risk environments through managed FR clothing programs and trusted PPE solutions.
Combined with Ariat’s performance-driven FR apparel and safety footwear, Tyndale’s head-to-toe PPE solution prioritizes protection, comfort, compliance, and worker confidence.
No matter the environment, the safest professionals trust their training, stay aware of hazards, and wear PPE designed for the risks they face.
Frequently Asked Questions About FR Clothing and Flash Fire Protection
1What is FR clothing?
Flame resistant (FR) clothing is specialized protective apparel designed to resist ignition and self-extinguish when exposed to flames or thermal energy. Unlike everyday clothing, FR garments help reduce burn injuries by limiting flame spread and minimizing heat transfer to the skin. FR clothing is commonly worn by workers in industries where flash fire, arc flash, or combustible hazards are present.
2Why is flame resistant (FR) clothing important?
FR clothing plays a critical role in protecting workers from serious burn injuries during flash fire incidents. Standard clothing can ignite, continue burning, or melt onto the skin, increasing injury severity. FR clothing is engineered to reduce these risks by self-extinguishing after exposure to flame, giving workers valuable time to escape hazardous environments and potentially reducing the extent of injuries.
3What happens when everyday clothing is exposed to flash fire?
Everyday clothing made from untreated fabrics or synthetic materials can ignite quickly during a flash fire event. Some materials continue burning even after the ignition source is removed, while others may melt and adhere to the skin, causing severe burns. This additional fuel source can significantly worsen injuries and increase recovery time.
4How does NFPA 2112 help protect workers?
NFPA 2112 is a safety standard developed by the National Fire Protection Association that establishes performance requirements for flame resistant garments used in flash fire environments. Clothing certified to NFPA 2112 has been tested to help minimize burn injuries during flash fire exposure. The standard evaluates factors such as flame resistance, heat transfer performance, durability, and garment design to ensure that workers are reliably protected on the job.
5What PPE is recommended for flash fire hazards?
Flash fire hazards require FR clothing and appropriate PPE that will not ignite, melt, or continue to burn when exposed to sudden flames. The goal is to
minimize burn injury by wearing properly rated, compliant gear from head to toe. Recommended PPE for flash fire hazards depends on the specific jobsite risks and hazard assessment, but commonly includes:
- NFPA 2112-compliant FR clothing
- FR or non-melting base layers
- Protective gloves
- Hard hats or helmets
- FR balaclava or hood
- Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields
- Protective footwear appropriate for jobsite hazards
Employers should conduct a proper hazard assessment and follow applicable safety standards to determine the appropriate PPE for their workers and work environments.
Is Your Workforce Properly Protected from Flash Fire Hazards?
- Contact Tyndale to build a customized FR clothing program tailored to your company’s hazards, budget, and branding requirements.
- Outfit individual workers, small crews, or enterprise-level operations with compliant FR solutions.
- Already enrolled in a Tyndale managed program? Order approved FR garments and PPE to help keep your team protected.
When dangerous conditions strike unexpectedly, the right PPE can make all the difference. Because when danger bucks, you better be wearing the right gear.
