Many industries require flame-resistant clothing to protect their employees from potential workplace hazards. People often refer to flame-resistant clothing as “FR” clothing. You might be wondering: is it safe to wear base layers underneath FR clothing? We explain the answer here—keep reading to find out.
Base Layers To Avoid
To simplify the answer, it isn’t safe to wear base layers underneath FR clothing. When people say “base layer,” they usually mean non-FR clothing. If the base layer isn’t flame resistant, then it isn’t safe to wear. Avoid wearing synthetic garments underneath FR clothing. This includes polyester, nylon, and spandex. Non-FR clothing will continue to burn, unlike FR clothing, and non-FR clothing can even burn onto the skin. Avoid non-FR base layers to protect yourself.
Base Layers for Cold Weather
Many industrial workers brave the cold to do their jobs. Although it’s common to wear a winter coat in cold weather, that isn’t an option for many employees. That’s because most winter coats are made with synthetic materials. Many people also wear base layers for cold weather. As we already covered, you cannot wear non-FR base layers underneath FR clothing. If you anticipate working in low temperatures, consider how to stay warm on a job site.
Common Mistakes
Even though FR clothing is considered protective clothing, you might wear it the wrong way. For example, you should not roll up your sleeves while working. This leaves your skin exposed, which means you aren’t fully protected. Another common mistake people make is failing to button up or tuck in their FR shirts. This creates a similar problem to rolling up your sleeves. You want to make sure your shirt is tucked in and buttoned up at all times. Lastly, never wash your FR clothing with bleach. This can degrade the fabric and decrease the garment’s ability to protect the body.
