Thursday 28 April 2011

Flexothane Agro Spray

These days a lot of farmers still protect themselves with polyester cotton or cotton overalls when spraying. For some low risk chemicals such as highly water diluted applications, this is believed to be sufficient. Unbelievably, there are no specific European EN standards for protective clothing for operators applying pesticides or insecticides. Some member states have developed their own approach to this issue and there is a draft ISO standard (ISO/DIS 27065 which is under discussion with the CEN).
Materials Safety Data Sheets for crop protection chemicals rarely go any further than stating that ‘Appropriate PPE must be selected’.

Think about this..........
During operations such as pouring , loading and mixing, you will come into contact with the concentrated formulations of sometimes very aggressive and / or toxic pesticides. Do you want your offspring to be limited to playing the banjo in the Everglades?

The Sioen Agro Spray protection range has been specifically designed for the agricultural and horticultural industries. It is also suitable for local and regional authorities for verge spraying and parks departments etc. Sioen are the European specialists when it comes to protective workwear clothing. The efforts that they have made since the introduction of the 89/686/EC directive has proven that the protective workwear clothing that they have developed for the agricultural market is ‘fit for purpose’ and amply fulfills the requirements of the ISO/DIS document.

The Agro Spray range is based on Flexothane Classic which is certified to EN 14065.
In addition to this it has been tested as specified in the normative part of DIN 32781;2007 against the aqueous reference formulations for the following parameters and no penetration was detected:-

(SC) Suspension Concentrate.
(WG) Water dispersable granules.
(EC) Emulsifiable Concentrates.
(SC) Soluble Concentrate.
(EW) Emulsions – Oil in water.

This may all sound a little too European Parliament speak. The gist of this is that it is a belt and braces approach which is essential where protection from herbicides and pesticides are concerned.

The Agro Spray range has also been thoughtfully designed to include bib and brace overalls which have the new Flexothane 3D (for 3 dimensional) fabric making up additional protection on the legs below the knees. This significantly improves the mechanical and breaking strength as well as the abrasion resistance. At the same time it also offers additional shock absorbtion or ballistic protection. Ideal when you are spraying over rough ground knee high in thistles.
The range also includes an Agro Spray jacket with hood and extended back and a Agro Spray bib brace overall without the 3D protection on the lower legs. All-in-all, an excellent solution to a problem that, unfortunately, a lot of people do not realise exists.

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Flexothane Waterproof Workwear

It’s always been complicated to find water-proof garments which can be appropriate for outdoor work. This may possibly seem to be an unusual point to make, however the great majority of waterproof clothing utilised by those that work outside for a job, were only actually developed in order to keep out water, they were certainly not developed to work in. Many outdoor employees discover that these types of clothes are too unpleasant, heavy or rigid and not actually strong enough with regard to the actual job many people have to perform. Modern day production methods and high-tech materials provide solutions for this particular age-old dilemma.

Flexothane
is a polyurethane membrane layer, transfer coated on top of a knitted polyamide support (the exact same fibres which stop a chainsaw). This is actually a material that ended up being initially created for use in armed forces applications. The high manufacturing standards of Flexothane along with its exceptional properties is today providing huge advantages in the outdoor work place. Flexothane, which isn't a woven fabric, is completely waterproof. It's appropriateness for work is actually improved by the exceptional flexibility of the material. As much as 150% extension enables wonderful freedom of movement, without placing unnecessary tension on the seams. The fabric is actually permeable, and even though it doesn't breathe at the very same standard as a number of the more costly mountain climbing waterproofs, it's completely satisfactory for the work place. Undesirable weather conditions especially extreme cold leads to many waterproof garments to crack. Uv light, that degrades a number of waterproof garments, does not have any effect on Flexothane and even though the actual material is extremely light-weight, it is very durable. Flexothane maintains its soft flexible qualities even at sub zero temperatures, and has no negative effects right down to - 40 degrees centigrade. It's not possible to get those lengthy "L" shaped tears associated with woven fabrics and should you end up being unfortunate enough to pierce the fabric on anything like barbed wire. It is actually really easy to repair. Flexothane is resistant to oils as well as hydrocarbons, is machine washable and may also be dry cleaned. An additional feature is the application of a bio-proof anti-fungicidal agent. This will help to counteract the nasty smells usually associated with waterproofs, that have been put away without airing. This promotes mildew and mould to develop and in a comparatively small amount of time the smells become obvious. The Bio-proof treatment method typically lasts about fifty washes, which usually should be about the same period as the life of the garment.

Garments made from Flexothane have all been crafted specifically with the outdoor worker in mind. It complies with the European standard EN 343, is an exceptionally high standard for waterproof clothing. The clothes are cut generously in order to allow optimum freedom of movement and yet still maintain shape and style. All Flexothane garments have high frequency welded seams in order to provide the perfect defence against leaking. A variety of jackets as well as trousers and bib and brace overalls and thermal overalls are available and may be found in a number of designs, sizes from small to XXXL, and colours that include Olive, Navy Blue, Yellow and Orange, all at prices that are remarkably affordable. In general, Flexothane is really a waterproof you should think about. Don’t wait until the next time you are getting wet.

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Safety eyewear:

Eyesight safety provision as well as wearing is a requirement under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations.

Eyesight Protection
needs to be employed around dangerous environments wherever there is actually a danger regarding projectiles harming the eyes.

Our own selection of Bolle and Peltor Safety Glasses fulfils the requirements associated with EN166, the European Norm with regard to Industrial Eye Protection. This not simply incorporates requirements with regard to liquids, airborne dirt and dust and molten metal protection but additionally impact performance with all of our Bolle and Peltor Safety Glasses ideal for withstanding low energy impact.

Bolle and Peltor Safety Glasses are only able to be offered as low energy impact eye protection. This is primarily because Safety Glasses sit on the wearer’s nose where almost all impact energy needs to be absorbed.

If greater impacts are anticipated then Safety Goggles as well as Safety Face shields will have to be considered.

Bolle Safety Glasses marked EN166 1F satisfy this particular requirement and are also optically correct consequently they might be worn for many hours with no danger associated with headaches.

Prior to you buying the kind of Safety Eyewear you need you'll want to initially think about the kind of hazard being encountered and the ideal type of eye protection suitable for that hazard.

Types of hazard:

Mechanical - Flying particles, airborne dirt and dust or even molten metal.

Chemical - Gases, fumes or perhaps liquid splash.

Radiation - Temperature (Infra-red), uv light or even glare.

Laserlight - Over a broad spectrum of wavelengths from Uv to Infra-red.

Category of eye protection:

Safety Glasses - Comfortable and offered in a number of designs are not going to keep out airborne debris, gas or even molten metal. Bolle designs are obtainable with prescription lenses.

Safety Goggles - Can offer protection for all those forms of hazards. May possibly be put on over spectacles.


Safety Face Shield - Protects the face area along with the eyes nonetheless will not keep out airborne dirt and dust or even gas. Comfortable to make use of for lengthy periods.

In cases where high-impact is anticipated then Safety Goggles or even Safety Face shields will be much more suitable as they distribute the actual force associated with the impact across the face instead of the nose which happens to be exactly what our Bolle and Peltor Safety Glasses accomplish.

Different shades of lenses are available for specialist sectors including Foundries, Glass working as well as with Welding. Bolle also have a comprehensive and high quality range of welding masks for this purpose.

Various lens shades may also improve eyesight with regard to jobs such as examination or low light conditions.

Monday 11 April 2011

Flexothane: A fabric which is as useful now as it was 25 years ago.

Flexothane is the consequence of many years of research and development in textile technology. It is a polyurethane coating on top of a knitted base fabric.

This is a technical fabric that promises you excellent protection. The polyurethane coating on a stretchable (approximately 150%) knitted base helps make it waterproof and windproof, noiseless and highly tear resistant.

The garment seams are welded and stitched. The material, produced by SIOEN in Belgium, is high frequency (HF) welded to guarantee the water proofing of all seams.
The knitted fabric is breathable and absorbs perspiration avoiding that clammy feeling. Your whole body stays dry plus the temperature is regulated.

Strong, supple, light and noiseless. Flexothane is resilient to rough handling and foul weather. Garments produced from Flexothane are durable and easy care.

Machine washable, it is extremely resistant against various types of oil derivates, fuel, diesel, grease etc. plus the smooth outside PU coated surface can be quite easily wiped clean.

Flexothane Kleen is washable at 95°C, without losing its original shape. You don’t need to bother about getting dirty!

When laundering there should be no treatment with chlorine, and no dry cleaning, ironing or tumble drying.

Before the introduction of Flexothane, waterproof garments were often heavy, cumbersome, uncomfortable, as well as hard to maintain.

For more than two-and-a-half decades now, Flexothane continues to offer high degrees of protection and comfort. It is actually specially engineered to form a durable, impenetrable barrier against water and wind, while retaining an advanced level of wearer comfort.

A Flexothane garment is usually recognised on account of durable Flexothane press studs along with a recognisable heat-transfer label. A Flexothane stamp on the inside of the garment including a colourful hangtag and a Flexothane label will also confirm its provenance.

The main two types of Flexothane for the mass market are ‘Essential’ which is good for domestic and occasional work use, and ‘Classic’ which is a heavier weight and significantly more durable. Used extensively in the agricultural industry from lambing to chemical spraying it is largely the fabric / brand of first choice.