To ensure the best use of your budget and an appropriate level of protection, Delta Health and Safety suggests purchasing a suit designed specifically for your environment.

Refer to the below table to help you in your selection:

Type

Finish

 The acid resist finish W4 is a water-resistant finish that doesn’t allow the cloth to be wetted by chemicals. The flame retardant finish W7 is a chemical finish applied to 100% cotton fabrics. With the proper care this finish usually lasts up to 50 washes (unless it has been damaged by chemicals or heat). Both the W4 and W7 finishes are applied to the same garment to provide a broader range of protection.

It is important to note that when one chemical finish is applied over another, the finish’s levels of protection can be less effective than before. It can also result in reduced longevity and a more expensive garment.

When to Use

 Acid-resistant garments should be used when working with or around acids or other corrosive chemicals. Examples of situations where acid-resistant garments should be used include:

  • Handling acids and other corrosive chemicals in laboratories, manufacturing facilities, and other industrial settings.
  • In industries that involve battery manufacturing, plating, or pickling operations, where workers are exposed to strong acids.
  • Performing maintenance and repair work on machinery or equipment that involves the use of acids or other corrosive substances.
  • Working in environments where there is a risk of accidental exposure to acids, such as in emergency response situations.
 Flame retardant garments should be used whenever there is a risk of exposure to heat, flames, or sparks. These garments are designed to resist ignition, slow the spread of flames, and self-extinguish when the source of heat is removed. Examples of situations where flame retardant garments should be used include:

  • Working in industries that involve welding, cutting, or other activities that produce sparks or flames.
  • Working in environments with high temperatures, such as foundries, steel mills, or glass manufacturing plants.
  • Performing maintenance and repair work on equipment that involves exposure to heat or flames.
 We only recommend an all-purpose flame and acid-resistant suit for workers exposed to environments that have both heat and chemical hazards simultaneously. Examples of situations where an all-purpose flame and acid resistant garment may be needed include:

  • Working in industries that involve both welding and exposure to corrosive chemicals or acids, such as metal fabrication, shipbuilding, or oil and gas exploration.
  • Performing maintenance and repair work on equipment that involves exposure to both heat and corrosive substances, such as chemical processing or refineries.
  • Working in emergency response situations where there is a risk of exposure to both flames and hazardous chemicals.