OSHA’s update to standard 1910.269, which took effect in 2015,clarifies and expands the employer’s responsibility to provide and maintain appropriate arc-rated clothing to employees based on reliable estimates of workplace hazards. Tyndale can help employers understand key aspects of OSHA’s revised ruling to standard 1910.269 as it relates to FR clothing and how to properly protect your employees.

Did you know?

OSHA supports home laundering of arc-rated and FR clothing. While the final rule does not require employers to launder protective clothing for employees, OSHA makes clear that it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure proper care and maintenance of employees’ protective clothing.

Additionally, no longer can employers simply tell their workers to “follow washing instructions,” and trust that they will do so. “If employers rely on home laundering of the clothing, they must train their employees in proper laundering procedures and techniques, and employers must inspect the clothing on a regular basis to ensure that it is not in need of repair or replacement (p. 187).”

In fact, outsourcing care and maintenance to an industrial laundry service or other vendor does not absolve employers of the responsibility to inspect PPE.

Get the Facts!

Tyndale’s 1-page Laundering Resource Guide provides:

• Information on why industrial laundry services can lead to a false sense of security
• Facts from updated OSHA standard 1910.269 to consider
• A webinar link to help employers understand how to manage OSHA’s new care and maintenance requirements for FR/arc-rated clothing

A training video link offering employee training and employer guidance on proper care, maintenance and inspection of PPE

Request Your Copy

Next Steps

Now that the January 1st deadline for employers to make reasonable estimates of incident energy has passed, the next step for employers is to provide required protective clothing and other protective equipment meeting the arc-flash protection requirements of the final rule by April 1st. Note: OSHA has since announced an enforcement delay for the hazard assessment until February 17, 2015.

Still have questions? Visit www.tyndaleusa.com for additional information and training videos or email: 1910269@tyndaleusa.com to learn how you can fulfill your FR clothing requirements with Tyndale today!