One of the most important questions to consider when working near thermal hazards should be “Am I wearing the proper flame-resistant clothing”? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines flame resistant (FR) as “The property of a material whereby combustion is prevented, terminated, or inhibited following the application of a flaming or non-flaming source of ignition…”
Too often there are times when individuals experience thermal hazards while not wearing the proper flame-resistant clothing or no flame-resistant clothing at all. The result can be gruesome bodily injury that leads to disability or death. Initially, the fire or explosion may not cause tremendous injury, but improper clothing catches fire and continues to burn on the body until the source of ignition has been extinguished or burned out.