Canadian Occupational Safety

I n industries that face thermal hazards like arc flash and flash fire, flame-resistant (FR) clothing plays an important role in protecting workers. However, not all FR clothing is created equal, and it is important to purchase high-quality workwear that meets the unique needs of your workplace while offering the appropriate level of protection against hazards. Workrite Uniform Company, a business-to-busi- ness (B2B) affiliate of Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company, has been a pioneer in FR clothing since its founding in 1973. These 40-plus years in the industry have afforded Workrite Uniform significant expertise in manufacturing FR clothing that goes beyond the basics to offer workers superior quality, comfort and style as well as protection that meets or exceeds safety standards. The difference in quality that has made Workrite Uniform a trusted, global leader in FR workwear begins with innovative product ideas designed to meet diverse workwear needs, includes strategic manufacturing pro- cesses that ensure consistent quality, and extends to a steadfast commitment to providing customers with the educational resources they need to make informed FR clothing purchasing decisions. Meeting Diverse Workwear Needs FR clothing is a vital part of worker safety in a variety of industries, from electrical utilities to oil and gas, laboratories, fire service, and beyond. Each industry, and the many unique workplaces within it, also faces different challenges and has different priorities. That's why Workrite Uniform offers four FR clothing brands, each providing a variety of styles to ensure the perfect protection level, fit, appearance and functionality for every workforce. Workrite® FR is Workrite Uniform's market-leading brand of FR clothing, featuring precision-manufactured styles that combine top-quality branded fabrics with the company's renowned FR expertise to ensure each garment holds up to the highest standards and meets customers' needs for protection, durability, comfort and long-term value. Dickies® FR is inspired by the decades-long heri- tage of the Dickies brand. The line includes a variety of Dickies' most popular workwear styles, from coveralls and jeans to jackets and shirts, offering the popular Dickies fit and functionality without sacrificing safety. Walls® FR is designed specifically for functionality and protection. The brand offers a variety of classic workwear styles to meet FR performance standards as well as the budgetary needs of fast-paced work envi- ronments, like those of the oil and gas industry. Walls FR provides practical FR clothing with both safety and value in mind. Workrite ® FR Fire Service is the company's station wear line designed for a crisp, professional look, easy care, and FR protection. Diligent Quality Control As an ISO 9001:2008-cer tified company, Workrite Uniform is committed to providing a consistent level of quality that workers can trust to deliver the promised level of protection. Workrite Uniform's closely moni- tored manufacturing process ensures each garment is inspected at all levels of production to minimize defects. Adhering to stringent quality control procedures, Workrite Uniform only works with the most reputable suppliers and also collaborates with fabric mills to test and inspect raw materials. The company's quality alliance team — consisting of executives and managers at each manufactur- ing touch point, from third-party fabric mills to Workrite Uniform-owned distribution centers — also regularly evaluates the entire manufactur- ing process to foster continuous improvement. Going The Extra Mile In addition to its four brands and stringent qual- ity control process, Workrite Uniform works to meet the varied needs of its global customers through customized styles and international dis- tribution centers. Recently, the company opened a new warehouse in Edmonton, Canada. Plus, Workrite Uniform has also been developing new styles tailored specifically to the Canadian market. Workrite Uniform also acknowledges that identifying the right FR clothing options can be challenging, especially with so many options available in the market, but informed FR apparel decisions can make the difference in workers' safety. As such, Workrite Uniform offers a website, frinformation.com, and an FR clothing app, to provide a wide variety of educational resources to assist companies in making better FR decisions. This ensures that both employers and employees stay up to date on all things related to FR. Safety is too important to settle for less than the best. Mark Saner, Workrite Uniform Technical Manager Mark Saner is the technical manager for Workrite Uniform Company, a position he has held since he joined the company in 2006. He brings more than 35 years of experience in the fire and safety industries to his work, including 29 years in technical support, safety standards and product development for Akron Brass Manufacturing Company. Mark participates as a voting member within a number of national and international safety organizations to help develop, revise, influence and further improve regulations for worker safety. Mark believes that Workrite Uniform's quality and consistency separates their FR apparel from that of their competitors. For questions related to safety standards, product performance and industry standards, contact Mark at 1-800-521-1888 or visit www.workrite.com. F L A M E - R E S I S T A N T W O R K W E A R Workrite Uniform brings more than 40 years of trusted FR experience to each of our four top-quality FR brands, offering unparalleled variety and uncompromised safety. INSPIRED BY THE GRIT THE GRIT OF THOSE WHO WEAR IT. LEARN MORE AT WORKRITEFR.CA | (800) 521-1888 Workrite is an affiliate of Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company © Workrite Uniform Company, Inc. Sponsored by FR Clothing: Beyond the Basics Better Safety Begins with Better Workwear By Mark Saner

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