Welding PPE innovations: Cementex ventilation system and lift-front face shield
Two innovations in arc flash PPE technology, specifically for hoods and face shields, can help to improve comfort and ease of use in hazardous arc flash environments. These improvements are a ventilation system throughout the PPE suit, and a lift-front face shield integrated into the hood.
The Cementex ventilation system features a durable Kydex shell and runs on AA batteries for 6 hours, reaching thirty five CFM. The system improves comfort by increasing the amount of overall oxygen flowing suit; what’s more, on the extremely hot days the airflow assists in cooling workers’ skin and thus extending time between water breaks and reducing the risk of overheating.
The other major innovation is in the introduction of lift-front face shields integrated into arc flash PPE hoods. Take, for example, the lift-front face shields for the hoods in the Cementex Ultralight Series of Arch Flash PPE. The lift-front hoods provide a larger viewing area and provides personnel (who move out of the Arc Flash Boundary) with the ability to lift the face shield.
By enhancing the area of view to see potential hazards and users’ peripheral vision, the new lift-front hood design helps to minimize accidental contact with energized, hazardous conductors. Outside the arc flash boundary with the face shield safely lifted, the personnel can consult with supervisors or coworkers, drink water, or allow greater airflow while taking a break without needing to remove the entire hood. Afterwards, it is simple to pull the face shield back down, return to the work zone, and continue working while adequately protected from arc flash hazards in a timely manner.
Cementex’s lift front hoods remain compatible with its innovative hood ventilation system, thus ensuring the greatest possible safety of personnel in environment around energized equipment.
Any worker who is not diligent in their safety practices could fail to replace the hood to its protective configuration. As a result, retraining personnel to build up habits of securely latching the face shield before entering the arc flash boundary is important to ensuring the greatest possible safety.
Cementex PPE hoods are unique within the Arc Flash Protective Equipment landscape, as the hood completely covers users and is worn over a hard hat, with a headlight available on the top. This hood design enables the use of the ventilation system and provides greater overall protection to users. The lift-front face shield design enhances these innovative hoods even further.
Arc flash PPE is critical to keeping personnel safe
Arc flash PPE is critical to keeping personnel working with energized equipment safe in the occurrence of an arc flash or arc blast hazard. Innovations in arc flash PPE help users to maintain safe practices near energized equipment, reducing the risk of injury, while also providing a more comfortable, easier to use PPE experience. What’s more, these updates to arc flash PPE offerings also help protect users from secondary hazards like dehydration and overheating. The greater field of vision offered by some new arc flash face shields also helps users to maintain better visibility while working with energized equipment, thus reducing the risk of accidents and improving safety as well.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The March/April issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Joyce Lansdale and Vallen. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dirk Beveridge, Frank Hurtte, and David Kahle, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
