Bool PT brand ambassador, Mark Inglis, sits down with our category manager, Dean Smith, in a tell all story about his arc flash incident and the impact this had on his family and close community.
An arc flash incident is a sudden electrical explosion that can cause severe injury and potentially death as electricity flows through two conductors. These incidents result in extreme heat exceeding 5,000°C, a bright flash of light and pressure waves which can cause both deafness and propel the individual back across the area. These incidents occur in the construction, mining, oil & gas and electrical industries.
Whilst being horrific occurrences there are steps companies and industries can take to mitigate risks including safe work practices and the consideration of PPE. Whilst being at the bottom of the hierarchy of controls PPE can pay a crucial role in helping reduce the severity of arc flash incidence at a minimal cost. For example, NFPA 70E is divided into sections covering risk assessments, incident energy analysis, boundaries and personal protective equipment levels (0-4). These guidelines can be used to assess the PPE required onsite when performing works that indicate the risk of an arc flash occurrence.
Mark explores the errors that were made whilst completing his day-to-day tasks and if done differently how he could have mitigated injuries sustained. He discusses what happened on the day of the incident and the impacts that flowed through to his family and close friends, from recovery to getting back to work. His transition into a workplace health and safety role more recently has seen Mark transition into a strong advocate for arc flash safety. With a background as an electrician, Mark can relate to those he ensures remain safe day-to-day.
Bool PT has developed a range of products designed for the Australian environment to protect workers against these injuries. Engineered using the Parvotex yarn Bool products boast uncompromised protection against unforeseen open electrical arc incidents and flash fire events. With a 32% cotton content no other FR fabric can boast high levels of fire resistance alongside superior comfort and breathability.
TRu Brands
At the core, TRu Brands pride themselves on being Australian Owned Certified wholesale ppe supply business. Founded by Tony Urquhart and Damian Smith and forged on the back of a strong partnership in 2018 as they aligned goals and put the customer first in business operations. They have continued to aim high with where we position our brands and optimise our sustainable impact made in the communities in which they operate.
Their sustainability vision has always been “Design products which have a positive influence on the community”.
This encompasses the ethical, environmental, and social impact of the range, along with workplace health and safety benefits. Striving to find opportunities where they can make the most significant and most positive impact in these areas is a challenge, but the headway made is a testament to the character of the team and their commitment to this ethos. The people in their business are the cornerstone of their success.
For nearly a decade, the company has been growing with a keen focus on transparency and technical ability, providing customers with task-specific solutions across their range offering. Their brands, TRu Workwear, Bool PT, Graphex Cut Resistant Gloves, and the Force360 PPE Range, have made significant strides in reducing their environmental impact. The company acknowledged that this is an ongoing commitment, and is dedicated to striving for brilliance on the sustainability journey.
