Episode
Utility Safety Podcast - Lifesaving Layers - Clearing up the Confusion in The Utility Industry with Derek Sang
- Published
- Aug 1, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2494
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://utilitysafety.podbean.com/e/lifesaving-layers/
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Summary
Join host Kate Wade as she sits down with Derek Sang, Senior Technical Training Manager at Bulwark Protection, to answer the utility industry’s most burning questions about protective clothing. With 25 years of experience, Derrick breaks down the critical differences between flame-resistant (FR) and arc-rated (AR) garments, exposes common field errors in wearing and maintaining PPE, and highlights dangerous everyday products like fabric softeners and Deet. Listeners will also learn how modern fabric innovations help combat heat stress, the importance of worker acclimation, and why continuous education is the key to bridging the gap between compliance and real-world safety. Visit Bulwark Protection - https://www.bulwark.com/ Key Takeaways All arc-rated (AR) garments must be flame-resistant (FR), but not all FR garments have an arc rating. Wearing gear correctly—keeping sleeves rolled down, shirts buttoned to the neck, and shirts tucked in—is essential to prevent severe burn injuries. Wearing an arc-rated base layer removes the safety hazard of an untucked shirt because it eliminates access to lightweight, flammable cotton t-shirts. Common maintenance errors include using bleach, peroxide (like OxiClean), and fabric softeners or dryer sheets, which can leave a flammable petrochemical buildup over time. Deet-based bug sprays are highly flammable accelerants that can cause FR gear to catch fire; workers should use permethrin-based products instead. Single-layer work clothing does not contribute to heat stress, and modern 5.5-ounce performance fabrics help keep workers cooler by wicking moisture away from the body. Managing heat stress effectively requires a combination of electrolyte hydration, rest, shade, and structured worker acclimation programs. Continuous worker educ…