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Like all good things, summer must come to an end. Fall is quickly approaching and with it comes foul weather and cold temperatures. Thankfully, staying warm, dry, and compliant doesn’t have to be hard. 

Finding the proper work wear and foul weather gear will depend on the environment, work conditions/practices, and potential hazards you face. Rain, low visibility, and cold temperatures are just a few of the factors that need to be considered when selecting the proper FR workwear and outerwear. Equally important to staying warm and dry is remaining compliant to industry standards for safety. Layering FR garments is a great way to stay warm and dry, but, if not done properly, it can interfere with the necessary requirements for compliance to the industry and employer standards. Whether you comply with OSHA 1910, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 2112 outer most layers must be FR. 

To prepare you for the change of seasons, here are 5 ways to stay warm and remain compliant this fall. 

There are many common problems and complaints associated with arc flash head protection. Poor visibility, lack of airflow, heavy and bulky products, and poor two-way communication are just a few of the most cited complaints. All of these can lead to decrease compliance, which could result in worker injury or, at the very least, a decrease in overall effectiveness and productivity.

To combat these problems and avoid potential injury, National Safety Apparel offers the ArcGuard 20 cal lift front arc flash hood. 

Lightweight & breathable, optimal airflow, and increased visibility is not what you expect to find in your typical arc flash head protection – but this is exactly what you get with this arc flash hood. This lift front hood combines the latest innovations in arc flash protection, including PureView™ faceshield technology, into one superior product.

National Safety Apparel has been selected as an honoree for the 2018 Smart Business Business Longevity Awards. The Business Longevity Awards, presented by Smart Business Network Inc., recognize local organizations with at least 50 years in business that demonstrate an ability to adapt and evolve with the changing times. These awards celebrate the rich history of Northeast Ohio’s business community and acknowledge the specific companies that have made it all possible.  

Cleveland, Ohio - May 1^st, 2018: National Safety Apparel continues to expand their USA-based safety clothing manufacturing capabilities with the acquisition of Chicago based Rubin Brothers and their Union Line™ brand. 

When evaluating high visibility safety apparel, how does one choose between yellow and orange safety vests or work wear? Which color provides the best protection? Our sensitivity to color, the work environment and subconscious responses contribute to our opinion as to which color provides the best protection. When comparing the two colors, many people will say that yellow appears “brighter.” This is true when considering the color of the garment alone, but there are other variables. To answer the question of whether orange or yellow is safer, we will explore a few additional factors and their impact on overall conspicuity, or visibility.

Mechanical protection includes garments that provide cut, puncture and abrasion protection. A cut protective garment may not include protection from puncture and abrasion. The main safety standard that measures protection for these multiple hazards is ANSI/ISEA 105. Originally developed for gloves only, this standard is commonly used for cut resistant protection. Changing the name of our garments from Cut Protection to Mechanical provides you with the confidence that garments from National Safety Apparel provide protection against cut, puncture and abrasion.

New to arc flash, or has it been a while since you’ve dealt with arc flash PPE? The industry and standards have evolved to include new terminology with the old. Use our quick primer to get up to speed on these top 6 arc flash terms.

Did you know that electrical workers are now required to wear arc rated head and neck protection while on the job? The most recent update to OSHA 1910.269 mandates that when working on or around electrical hazards, 360 degree FR protection is required. This includes the head and neck. Whether workers are looking to comply with OSHA 1910.269 (Electrical Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Standard) or NFPA 70E (The Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace) choosing the best FR head protection for their application provides protection to one of their greatest assets. 

Did you know that electrical shock is the leading cause of electrical injury?¹ To protect against electrical shock hazards anyone working on energized equipment is required to wear voltage rated gloves (VRG’s).


At National Safety Apparel®, our goal is always to provide a reliable and convenient solution to meet our customers’ PPE needs, and our voltage rated gloves are no exception. We recognize the sense of urgency that comes with providing protection for a growing workforce or a team responding to an emergency event. Our ArcGuard® Rubber Voltage Gloves are stocked in high volumes and available for quick delivery so our products can get to work as soon as you need them.