Early generations of flame-resistant clothing (FRC) have been characterized as stiff, hot, boxy and uncomfortable. Beyond discomfort, these characteristics pose challenges for end-user compliance and proper use; workers who are uncomfortable in their FRC are more likely to compromise their protection by rolling up sleeves, opening shirt fronts, shedding protective layers, or even violating company safety policy in favor of clothing that provides increased comfort.
Luckily, one of the most pervasive trends in the FRC industry today is the growth of FR clothing style options. This trend, driven by the realization that fabric styles at comparable weights provide comparable protection, poses one of the largest opportunities to drive end user satisfaction in 2014 and beyond.