The origin of Gore-Tex®

The origin of waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® outerwear, footwear, and gloves starts with five little letters: ePTFE. ePTFE, or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, was created by Bob Gore in 1969 when he rapidly stretched PTFE under certain conditions. The result was an incredibly strong, micro-porous material with an amazing list of characteristics including low water adsorption and good weathering properties. By 1978, GORE-TEX® fabric was introduced and the world met the first truly waterproof, breathable outerwear. Thanks to their commitment to unending innovation and creativity, waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® products have continued to improve and evolve to keep in step with the changing needs of their customers.

The GORE-TEX® membrane is the secret of GORE-TEX® outerwear -- which is both completely waterproof and completely breathable at the same time -- lies within its revolutionary bi-component membrane. The membrane contains over 9 billion microscopic pores which are approximately 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, but 700 times bigger than a molecule of moisture vapor. So while water in its liquid form cannot penetrate the GORE-TEX® membrane, as moisture vapor it can easily escape.

The patented GORE-TEX® membrane makes garments 100% waterproof, windproof and breathable so that you stay dry and comfortable under any conditions.

Waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® outerwear is made of the very toughest fabrics and is thoroughly tested to guarantee performance even after serious wear and tear. Easy care: Just because it’s high tech doesn’t mean it has to be high maintenance. GORE-TEX® fabric is extremely easy to take care of and won’t lose its effectiveness even after repeated washing.

Perhaps the most important aspect of breathable, waterproof GORE-TEX® outerwear is they firmly believe in their outerwear and back it up with a promise: No liquid from the outside will get to you on the inside. This includes moisture from the wet grass you’re kneeling in to the sudden squall you get caught in. They take this guarantee seriously. If you are not completely satisfied with the waterproofness, windproofness, or breathability of your GORE-TEX® product, then they will repair it, replace it, or refund your purchase price.

That’s where Gore comes in. They partnered with Merrell to provide the best in climate control and comfort thanks to their patented technology. Men’s Merrell shoes with GORE-TEX® technology are durably waterproof and breathable to provide long lasting comfort under a variety of conditions. The Jungle Moc is perfect for the rainy season and is fully waterproof GORE-TEX® gasket construction and the uncanny ability of the GORE-TEX® lining to wick moisture away from your feet. Certain styles are also available with GORE-TEX® XCR® Technology which provides enhanced breathability perfect for higher activity levels and warmer conditions.

Merrell believes so strongly in the performance of Gore’s technologies that they provide a full one-year guarantee, along with Gore’s own Guaranteed to Keep You Dry® promise. With such comfort and guaranteed performance, Merrell shoes are a perfect choice for your next “outventure”.

Written By: Mike Girolami, President of Michigan Industrial Shoe http://www.michiganshoe.com/ , Local Distributor of Work Boots, Safety Shoes and Work clothing, Redford MI

Protecting Personnel From Arc Flash Hazards

An arc flash is a voltage breakdown of the resistance of air resulting in an arc which can occur where there is sufficient voltage in an electrical system and a path to ground or lower voltage. An arc flash with 1000 amps or more can cause substantial damage, fire or injury. The massive energy released in the fault instantly vaporizes the metal conductors involved, blasting molten metal and expanding plasma outward with extreme force. A typical arc flash incident can be inconsequential but could conceivably easily produce a more severe explosion. The result of the violent event can cause destruction of equipment involved, fire, and injury not only to the worker but also to nearby people.

In addition to the explosive blast of such a fault, destruction also arises from the intense radiant heat produced by the arc. The metal plasma arc produces tremendous amounts of light energy from far infrared to ultraviolet. Surfaces of nearby people and objects absorb this energy and are instantly heated to vaporizing temperatures. The effects of this can be seen on adjacent walls and equipment - they are often ablated and eroded from the radiant effects.

There are many methods of protecting personnel from Arc Flash hazards. This can include personnel wearing Arc Flash Personal protective equipment (PPE) or modifying the design and configuration of electrical equipment. The most effective way to protect personnel who are working on exposed conductors is to de-energize circuits if this is possible.

Three key factors determine the intensity of an Arc Flash event on personnel. These factors are the quantity of fault current available in a system, the time fault until an arc flash is cleared, and the distance an individual is from an arc. Various design and equipment configuration choices can be made to affect these factors and in turn reduce the Arc Flash hazard.

After arc hazard levels have been assigned for job tasks, required protective clothing may be determined. The table above, adapted from NFPA 70E-2004 (Table 130.7(C)(11)) gives the five hazard risk categories, corresponding required minimum arc rating of PPE and the Carhartt HRC rating range. Layering flame-resistant clothing increases thermal protection and should be considered when evaluating required PPE. Fortunately, arc flash hazards can be reduced by following safety precautions and using the recommended personal protective equipment.


Carhartt Flame Resistance clothing helps shield workers from exposure to electric arcs and flash fires. In addition to this protection, Carhartt FR clothing features tough premium fabrics, garment washed softness and work fit styling to make your long work hours more comfortable. Carhartt FR clothing is designed for electricians and workers in the utility, oil, gas and petrochemical fields who are at risk of exposure to electric arc and flash fires, which could cause severe or fatal burn injuries.

Written By: Mike Girolami, President of WorkWear1, http://www.michiganshoe.com/, a Local Distributor of Safety Shoes and Safety Clothing, Redford MI

Flame Resistance Clothing for the Electrical Industry

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has served as an authority in the U.S. on fire, electricity and building safety since 1896. In 1979, the NFPA published NFPA 70E, a Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. NFPA 70E is a comprehensive national consensus standard for electrical safety issues covering work practices, installation, maintenance and special equipment.

Over the years several editions of NFPA 70E have been published. The 2000 edition was the first to include electric arc flash hazard and required flame resistant clothing to protect workers against it. The most recent edition approved on February 11, 2004, added sections on personal protective equipment (PPE). OSHA recognizes NFPA 70E as an industry practice and has referenced it in citations.

Flame resistant clothing is addressed in Chapter 1 of the standard, Safety-Related Work Practices. It states that all equipment must be de-energized before being worked on unless the employer can demonstrate that de-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards or is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations. If de-energizing the equipment is not feasible, the employer must establish a "flash protection boundary" which is the minimum distance from an arc source where a person could receive a "curable" or second degree burn if an arc flash occurred. An employer must determine the appropriate PPE including FRC required for all employees who cross the flash protection boundary. A hazard risk assessment to determine arc hazard level must be completed. NFPA 70E provides several options for determining arc hazard level and it is defined by "calories per square centimeter" or cal/cm2.

After arc hazard levels have been assigned for job tasks, required protective clothing may be determined. The table above, adapted from NFPA 70E-2004 (Table 130.7(C)(11)) gives the five hazard risk categories, corresponding required minimum arc rating of PPE and the Carhartt HRC rating range. Layering flame-resistant clothing increases thermal protection and should be considered when evaluating required PPE.

Carhartt Flame Resistance clothing helps shield workers from exposure to electric arcs and flash fires. In addition to this protection, Carhartt FR clothing features tough premium fabrics, garment washed softness and work fit styling to make your long work hours more comfortable. Carhartt FR clothing is designed for electricians and workers in the utility, oil, gas and petrochemical fields who are at risk of exposure to electric arc and flash fires, which could cause severe or fatal burn injuries.

Carhartt FR clothing has the HRC (Hazard Risk Category) rating range directly related to ATPV. There are 5 HRCs ranging from 0 to 4, with hazard risk of 0 presenting the least risk and a hazard risk of 4 being the greatest. Carhartt offers 3 items FRC066 – FR Duck Traditional Coat; FRJ184 – FR Duck Active Jac/Quilt lined and FRV036 – FR Duck Vest / Quilt lined. All these items have the highest HRC rating of 4 and ATPVcal/cm2 of 56.3.

Written By: Mike Girolami, President of MichiganShoe, http://www.michiganshoe.com/, a Local Distributor of Safety Shoes and Clothing, Redford MI