There are no shortcuts when it comes to safety. The following is a small sampling of the best available equipment, training, clothing and accessories that enable operators to protect their most valuable asset— their employees.

Editor’s note: The copy herein is contributed from service companies and does not reflect the opinions of Hart Energy.

Chemical protective clothing offers comfort, breathability

Discomfort causes workers to remove or improperly wear personal protective equipment, and that’s a real danger. Ansell, known globally for chemical protective clothing and innovations in worker comfort, performance and protection, provides technologies and products specifically designed to enhance workers’ comfort. Ansell’s AlphaTec 66-600 suit series is designed for optimum breathability, incorporating Gore Chemical Splash fabric to manage heat stress while offering splash protection. Ansell’s AlphaTec 58-128 is the first ergonomically certified chemical glove, aiding hand movement and minimizing muscle fatigue to provide comfort through a full day of work. ansell.com

Flame-resistant fabric blocks 98% of wind

Fight Earth’s elements with DragonWear’s Elements dual-hazard flame-resistant sweatshirt, which features wind-resistant outer fabric with a durable water-repellent finish to shed light rain and snow. This inherently flame-resistant sweatshirt uses Polartec Wind Pro, an extremely breathable flame-resistant fabric that blocks 98% of wind, spans a range of conditions and performs as outerwear and insulation. “This is the missing link in FR [flame-resistant] outerwear,” said Alyx Fier, owner of DragonWear. The garment has a zippered chest pocket, which includes four pen holders, an YKK zip front with stand-up collar for increased protection and excellent stretch for comfort and range of motion. It comes in three colors: navy, black and gray. The sweatshirts are made in the U.S. dragonwear.com

Gloves offer protection, dexterity and reflectivity

Ergodyne, a division of Tenacious Holdings Inc., has released its ProFlex dorsal impact-reducing series gloves, which solve an all-too-familiar crisis for workers: having to choose between better protection or more dexterity. Each of the four models features molded rubber armor and a technical segmented foam protection scheme to minimize the effects of pinches, impacts, and crushing or bruising blows but still maintains dexterity. Reflectivity, a high-visibility color scheme for signaling and hand safety awareness, and a reinforced thumb and index finger wear area also come standard on most models. A convenient color-coding system makes it easier for wearers to distinguish these work gloves by their enhanced feature and for safety managers to instantly identify which pair is being worn. Orange indicates standard protection with a gripping dot palm, red signals enhanced cut protection featuring Armortex-backed gripping dots and blue designates thermal cold-weather protection with dual-zone 3M Thinsulate insulation and a waterproof membrane. ergodyne.com

Monitors detect up to five gases

Exploration, transportation, refining and plant turnarounds all put oil and gas workers at risk of exposure to toxic and combustible gases. The new Ventis Pro Series Multi- Gas Monitors from Industrial Scientific detect up to five gases and raise the bar on worker safety, flexibility and ease of use. Optional LENS Wireless allows Ventis Pro instruments to share gas readings and alarms with one another, helping a team to respond appropriately when hazards occur. Customizable alarm action messages instruct workers to take actions such as “evacuate” or “ventilate” depending on the gas level. A panic button and man-down alarm alert workers of emergencies beyond gas exposure. iAssign technology tracks users and sites, allowing safety managers to address recurring alarms, identify hazards and improve asset management. Ventis Pro instruments also have the highest protection rating against dust and water ingress (IP68) and are backed by a lifetime warranty. indsci.com/ventispro

Gas detectors respond twice as fast as industry average

Next to head protection, the hardest working piece of protective equipment on the job site is a personal gas detector. The new ALTAIR 4XR multigas detector from MSA uses MSA-developed XCell sensors that respond twice as fast as the industry average, which is important when seconds count. The detector also exceeds military drop test standards, surviving 25-plus drops from 1.2 m (4 ft), and goes the extra distance, surviving a 7.6-m (25-ft) drop onto concrete. Its IP68 rating (waterproof even in 1.8 m [6 ft] of water) and operating temperature range (-40 C to 60 C [-40 F to 140 F]) means it will perform in the toughest environments. Working smarter is part of the mix, too. When paired via Bluetooth wireless technology to the ALTAIR Connect app, remotely located safety personnel can be alerted to changing, potentially hazardous conditions in real time. MSAsafety.com

Safety training courses developed for oil and gas

With more than 20 years of experience, PEC Safety is a safety company that offers numerous standardized safety training courses developed specifically for the oil and gas industry. PEC’s main goal is to provide the industry with valuable resourses so all workers can return home safely. Some of these resources include the follow training programs: Basic Orientation/ Refresher, Basic Pipeline, Core Compliance/Refresher, H2S Clear, and Safe Construction. All PEC courses are automatically entered into the company’s viewable and verifiable database. PEC provides a free mobile app available for download via smart phones. This new app allows workers who have taken PEC training to easily access their digital ID card, training information, downloadable course material and training course quick reference cards, applying PEC’s training programs from the classroom to the work site. App users also have the ability to download Occupational Safety and Health Administration alliance hazard alerts and safety infographics on various topics. pecsafety.com

Collect, manage and trend safety information and data

The Insight Via safety management system software is a web-based platform that allows any organization to collect, manage and trend safety information and data. The Insight Via system comprises multiple integrated applications such as training, incident reporting, auditing, behavior-based safety, corrective actions and preventative maintenance. This system also allows any organization to efficiently store all of its information in one easy-to-use portal as well as effectively use the integrated real-time reporting functionality to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in its safety programs. Insight Via’s “drill down” capabilities allow organizations to analyze data from a corporate viewpoint across all locations as well as specific locations or regions for internal comparisons. Insight Via’s integrated applications and realtime reporting features allow organizations to spend less time collecting, entering and analyzing data and more time proactively creating a safer workplace. rcisafety.com

Training employees on how to use, wear safety products

SRP Environmental safety consultants provide active training as well as computer- based training so employees will be able to properly use the safety skills learned in a realworld setting while meeting Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety training mandates. The company offers HSE training to educate employers and employees. The certified safety training instructors use a combination of audiovisual presentations and equipment to produce real-life on-the-job scenarios to provide each individual with a better understanding of safety on and off the job. srpenvironmental.com

Antimicrobial and odor protection for clothes, equipment

Microbes such as bacteria and fungi thrive in moist conditions like boots, gloves or under work uniforms. Commonly found microbes on industrial sites or in industrial living quarters include athlete’s foot, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. SRP SilverClean uses its patented SilverClean technology to provide antimicrobial and odor protection to socks, T-shirts and towels. This is accomplished by harnessing the antimicrobial power of nano silver. SilverClean products continuously kill microbes at the source and are ideal when laundering services aren’t readily available or when working in unsanitary conditions. srpsilverclean.com

Boots capable of resisting a drop force of 200 joules

Safety footwear provider Steel Blue Boots’ products feature its patented Tri-Sole Comfort Technology, which provides an exceptional level of underfoot comfort. The company’s product line also bears the American Podiatric Medical Association’s seal of acceptance, is endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association and is independently certified to several safety standards, including ASTM F2413-11, EN ISO20345:2011 and AS/ NZS 2210.3:2009. The Argyle Zip boot uses an industrial- grade zipper for easy-on, easy-off access. Wearers can lace up boots to a secure, comfortable fit, leaving the laces tied, and use the side zippers to save time without sacrificing ankle support. The Ergo-Defender steel toe cap is capable of resisting a drop force of 200 joules and is ergonomically designed to give toes room to move. This style features the highest quality premium cowhide, water-resistant leather, a 6-in. upper with padded collar and tongue and a nitrile rubber outsole that is heatresistant to 300 C (572 F). steelblue.com

Anti-impact gloves protect against hand injuries

Superior Gloves’ Clutch Gear high-visibility mechanics glove was created with the oil and gas industry in mind, where back-of-hand injury is a big concern. The company partnered with D3O to create an anti-impact glove with impact protection. In its natural state D3O is a putty and acts like cornstarch in water. If lightly touched, the D3O will move viscously. But if pressure is added, the molecules lock together, absorbing and dissipating the impact. Hand and finger injuries made up 43% of recordable incidents on drilling rigs, according to the International Association of Drilling Contractors’ 2014 statistic. That number has been rising yearly. Even though safety standards are in place, oil and gas is a dangerous industry. Innovation with new technologies creates better products that can reduce injuries while increasing compliance. superiorglove.com

Fabrics increase moisture vapor transport, reduce thermal burden

Protecting workers in hazardous working conditions is a constant challenge for HSE managers in the industry. When it comes to flame-resistant personal protective equipment, and particularly in the case of foul weather outerwear, all too often workers are forced to choose between being safe and being comfortable. Safety becomes a huge concern as the potential for injury is increased whether through the risk of incidental flash flame exposure, reduced mental alertness due to fatigue and discomfort, and/or burn risk from retained moisture in a garment system. These issues are the result of current products in the flame-resistant outerwear/rainwear market that are incapable of delivering protection and comfort. GORE flame-resistant apparel with GORE-TEX PYRAD fabric delivers flame-resistant, waterproof, windproof and breathable garments that comply to ASTM F2733-09 (flame-resistant rainwear standard). The fabrics increase moisture vapor transport and reduce thermal burden, eliminating the need for outerwear choices that potentially compromise worker safety or HSE compliance. goreprotectivefabrics.com/oil-gas or www.wayne-ent.com

Flame-resistant denim for comfort, style

Workrite Uniform Co. has expanded its denim line to include four new flame-resistant jean styles. Built for a comfortable fit and modern look, these new styles are available under the company’s Workrite flame-resistant and Dickies flame-resistant brands. The Workrite flame-resistant line includes two new designs, one for men and one for women, made from Westex Indigo fabric. The Dickies flame-resistant line includes two additional men’s jean styles based on the popular Dickies X-Series. With the addition of these styles, Workrite Uniform’s collection, which also includes two Walls flame-resistant jean styles, provides a selection of 12 different flame-resistant denim options. workrite.com

Flame-resistant barrier for extreme weather conditions

Personal protective equipment (PPE) cannot be compromised for outdoor workers in harsh winter weather. Westex AllOut flame-resistant outerwear fabric provides a lightweight water- and wind-resistant outer shell engineered for inclement weather conditions. Westex AllOut eliminates the need for a noncompliant NFPA 2112 vapor barrier, providing comfortable and reliable flame-resistant protection. When paired with Westex InsulAir, a quilted insulation lining for flame-resistant apparel, the innovative combination protects oil and gas workers from harsh wind, wetness and cold without weighing the individual down. Westex AllOut is NFPA 2112 certified and provides PPE Category 2 arc flash multihazard protection. westex.com