02 Apr 04/02/2020
You should always dress for the conditions you’ll be working in, but what if those conditions deal with cold temperatures, flames, and cut hazards? For workers across many industries, certain seasons find them working in frigid temperatures while completing tasks that put them at risk for burns and other thermal hazards. How do you dress for these conditions? The answer is fire-resistant winter-weather PPE.
MCR Safety is dedicated to providing all workers with comfortable, safe protective gear that suits their jobs and working environments. For situations where exposure to both cold temperatures and burn hazards are likely, a versatile combination of FR hoodie, FR balaclava, and FR sleeves made with DuPont™ Kevlar® can mean the difference between a job done safely and a preventable accident.
First, what is a hoodie? Generally, a hoodie is a sweatshirt with a hood and a large pocket in front. Some may have zippers down the front with a front pocket on each side; others may be pull-over options. Hoodies are ideal for cooler weather and conditions because the hood offers warmth and protection for the head, and the pouch can be used to keep hands warm.
It is believed that the Champion company created the first hooded sweatshirt in the 1930s after developing better methods for sewing thicker materials. The hoods were meant to keep workers warm in cold conditions. Since their debut, hoodies have become a staple of many wardrobes and are worn by people of all ages, genders, and occupations for both work and leisure.
At MCR Safety, we provide high-quality hoodies that are designed to keep you warm and comfortable, with the added feature of being fire-resistant for those who work in environments where fire and burns are a hazard. Examples of these environments include occupations in oil and gas, welding, and utilities.
Our FR hoodies are made of 100% FR cotton interlock fleece that ensures all-day comfort.
Cotton is naturally soft.
The SS2’s 3-section hood protects the head, and a single front pouch pocket holds your essential items and can be used to keep your hands warm. For those who are looking for transitional weather gear, who want to stay warm but not too warm, this sweatshirt is worth its weight in gold. It provides an extra layer of warmth that can be easily removed if you get too hot or the weather changes. Plus, it is soft and trim for easy layering.
In short, a hoodie is a comfortable option for head warmth when temperatures start dropping. It is the perfect solution when you need additional layers.
While a hoodie covers the head in cold environments, it leaves the face exposed. In most frigid work conditions, this can be dangerous. An FR hoodie, paired with a high-performance FR balaclava, is a perfect addition to your winter PPE.
A balaclava is a piece of winter headgear that protects the head and face while leaving the mouth, eyes, and nose exposed. Some styles can also be pulled up over the nose and mouth to offer increased protection. Balaclavas are ideal for preventing cold exposure and frostbite to the face and ears. OSHA does not set requirements for winter workwear, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use common sense. You’ll be safer and work better with proper cold-weather gear, like a balaclava.
For workers who face the risk of burns from flash fires and electrical arcs, an FR balaclava makes the most sense. Burns can happen in a split second. PPE made of fire-resistant material is often the only thing between you and severe injury or death. That’s why MCR Safety sells flame-resistant balaclavas made with CarbonX® material. These protect you from some of the most dangerous thermal hazards, from direct flame and extreme heat to molten metals, caustic chemicals, flammable liquids, and arc flash.
Our top-selling BLCVCX Flame-Resistant CAT3 Balaclava, shown in the image above, is made of 7.0 ounce CarbonX® flame-resistant rib-knit material that is soft, breathable, and stretchable, It is the perfect solution for protecting your face and neck from both thermal hazards and the cold.
No other FR brand matches the protection provided by CarbonX® FR fabrics. CarbonX® products are made of a high-performance fiber blend that doesn't ignite, burn, melt, drip, shrink, or char when exposed to direct flame, extreme heat, or molten materials. They even protect you from the intense temperatures of arc flash. Best of all, this material continues to withstand high temperatures with its original strength and integrity even after exposure to heat sources.
Additionally, CarbonX products are comfortable. The material is lightweight and wears like cotton. It is breathable and wicks away moisture, reducing the risk of heat stress.
Check out the demonstration of CarbonX’s durability and protection tested on a live person. Any question why we call this the supreme balaclava?
For optimum protection from both heat hazards and frigid temperatures, combine two of MCR Safety’s favorite FR PPE products: an FR hoodie and FR CarbonX balaclava.
This combination protects your head and torso. An MCR Safety FR hoodie keeps your body warm without inhibiting movement from being too bulky. It also offers excellent protection from the dangers of arc flash, flames, and splashing liquids.
Pull the hood up over your FR CarbonX balaclava for exceptional warmth and protection for your head and face. The two layers block freezing winds and temperatures and hold in body heat all winter long. Meanwhile, the exceptional qualities of CarbonX material prevent burns in the event of an accident.
What if you face cut hazards, too? No problem. That’s when flame-resistant DuPont™ Kevlar® enters the picture, providing additional layering and cut-resistance up the arms. For those who need hand protection, too, we’ve got you covered.
Before Test
After Test
The above images are of the 9370BK, made of DuPont™ Kevlar®, showing before and after test images.
MCR Safety makes one of the largest selections of cut-resistant FR sleeves and FR gloves made with DuPont™ Kevlar® in the industrial market, over 125 different variations, in fact. DuPont™ Kevlar® is inherently flame-resistant and can withstand heat up to 900°F (400°C) without degrading, making it an ideal material for FR sleeves. Our lineup of FR products made with Kevlar® protects against heat, cuts, and burns.
You can learn more about DuPont™ Kevlar® protection on the following pages:
Separately, each of our FR products delivers supreme protection. However, when you can combine protection from the hand, up the arms, over the face, and achieve protection from the cold, you’ve got ultimate protection at that point.
At MCR Safety, we believe in meeting everyone’s needs with a wide variety of products. Not everyone needs a top-performing CarbonX® balaclava; sometimes, the standard Cat 2 ARC performance is a more appropriate choice. If heat and flame hazards are relatively rare in your job, or the dangers you face are of relatively low heat, you might prefer our BLCVTCN Flame-Resistant CAT2 Balaclava made of Westex® TrueComfort Material.
While not on the same performance level as our CarbonX® products, Westex® TrueComfort still offers industry-standard flame-resistance combined with warmth and a soft, lightweight feel. It is an excellent choice for workers who may not face extreme heat and flame hazards on the job.
For those whose jobs take them out into the dark or inclement weather, where poor visibility is a more significant threat than heat and flame exposure, MCR Safety also offers high-visibility hoodies and balaclavas.
Our line of Hi-Vis products come in neon colors paired with reflective stripes, so you are visible in even the most adverse conditions. We also carry both hi-vis and black balaclavas. Click on either image below for additional product specifications.
Our high-visibility hoodies and balaclavas are warm and comfortable, perfect for layering in the coldest temperatures. But remember, as mentioned in this section’s header, these products are for warmth and visibility only; they do not offer FR protection.
We are always listening to our customers. Here are a couple of commonly asked questions about our hoodies:
While MCR Safety’s hoodies are suitable for workers in a variety of jobs and industries, every individual has unique needs and preferences, starting with size. You want your hoodie to fit comfortably and correctly, not be too bulky so that you cannot layer it or so oversized that it causes a hazard at work.
Follow these steps to find the right fit for your hoodie:
Have you found the perfect FR hoodie but aren’t sure how to store it? Here’s the best way to fold a hoodie when you aren’t using it on the job: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spga09MsB7M.
When your job puts you at risk for both burns and frostbite, you need the right combination of PPE to allow you to do your job safely and comfortably. MCR Safety understands this unique challenge and has the ultimate solution. With our FR hoodies, FR balaclavas, and glove and sleeve products made with DuPont™ Kevlar®; you can protect your body, head, and face from all extreme temperatures at once.
We welcome any comments, feedback, or suggestions for how we can best protect people at work.
For over 45 years, MCR Safety has proven to be a world leader in gloves, glasses, and garments. Whether it’s on the shop floor, an oil rig, or a construction site, we are there providing solutions to workplace hazards. It’s all part of our commitment to protect people.
No matter your industry, we have the personal protective equipment you need.
Learn more about MCR Safety by checking out our most recent video. For more information, browse our website, request a catalog, find a distributor, or give us a call at 800-955-6887.
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