Portwest Flame Retardant Anti-Static Hi-Vis Coverall - Orange

Who is this for

Flame retardant anti-static hi-vis coveralls of this type are primarily specified by safety officers, procurement managers, and site supervisors in industries where operatives face simultaneous exposure to heat, flame, molten metal splash, arc flash, and electrostatic discharge. Typical end users include welders, fabricators, utilities maintenance technicians, and petrochemical operatives working in environments where a single-hazard FR garment would fail to satisfy the full risk assessment. The multi-norm certification makes this coverall particularly relevant for procurement teams managing PPE compliance across complex industrial sites where multiple hazard categories must be addressed within a single clothing specification.

Typical applications

• Manual welding using Class 1 processes including TIG, MIG, gas welding, and spot welding where molten metal splash and radiant heat present the primary risks.

• Electrical maintenance and switchgear operations in utilities and power distribution environments where arc flash exposure requires a garment rated to EN 61482-2.

• Petrochemical and refinery site work in ATEX-classified zones where electrostatic discharge represents an ignition risk alongside heat and flame hazards.

• Rail and infrastructure maintenance tasks involving hot work, grinding, or proximity to electrical systems where combined flame and anti-static protection is required under site safety rules.

• Offshore and onshore industrial operations where operatives are exposed to hydrocarbon fire risk, radiant heat from process equipment, and molten metal from maintenance activities.

• Outdoor utilities and civils work in summer conditions where UV exposure adds to the existing thermal hazard profile and 40+ UPF fabric provides additional protection.

• Site environments requiring hi-vis compliance for low-light, dusk, or traffic-adjacent working where FR reflective tape maintains visibility without requiring a separate hi-vis garment over the coverall.

• Fabrication shop and heavy engineering environments where extended kneeling positions make two-tier adjustable knee pad pockets a functional requirement rather than an optional feature.

How to use

Step 1: Select the correct size using the garment size chart. Measure chest girth and waist girth and fit to the larger of the two measurements. The garment is cut with comfort allowance to be worn over medium-weight base layers.

Step 2: Fully undo all fastenings before putting the coverall on. The clothing must be worn firmly closed during use. Never wear it partially open or with the front unfastened.

Step 3: Ensure adequate overlap between the coverall and any other garments. Where knee pad pockets are used, fit knee pads compliant with EN14404:2004. The knee pad dimension must be 195 x 145 x 15mm.

Step 4: Adjust the stud cuffs to seat securely at the wrist. When wearing welding gloves to EN 407 or EN 12477, confirm there is no gap between the cuff and the glove cuff.

Step 5: Confirm the FR reflective tape is undamaged and securely attached before each use. Do not iron reflective tape.

Step 6: Inspect the garment for contamination before use. Do not wear if the garment has been contaminated with oil, grease, or flammable liquids. Replace immediately if contaminated beyond cleaning.

Common mistakes

• Wearing the coverall open or partially fastened: FR and anti-static protection requires the garment to be fully closed. An open front creates a direct flame path to the body and breaks the anti-static circuit continuity.

• Continuing to wear after the maximum wash limit: FR performance is verified to 50 industrial wash cycles. After this point the garment must be replaced regardless of visual condition. Fading, thinning, or heavy abrasion before this point are also grounds for immediate replacement.

• Wearing contaminated garments: oil, grease, and flammable liquids absorbed into the cotton fabric significantly reduce FR protection and can cause the garment to burn rather than self-extinguish. This is a critical safety failure and the most common cause of FR workwear incidents.

• Incorrect laundering: domestic washing machines and detergents are not validated for FR garment care. Industrial laundering to EN ISO 15797 maintains the FR performance throughout the garment's service life. Domestic washing may degrade the FR treatment and is not recommended.

• Fitting knee pads that do not meet EN14404:2004 dimensions: undersized knee pads reduce protection and do not sit correctly in the two-tier pockets, affecting both posture and protection.

Safety

This coverall is CE-CAT III and UKCA marked, the highest PPE risk category, indicating it is designed for protection against risks that may cause serious or irreversible injury. It must be used in conjunction with a suitable risk assessment. Full-body protection requires complementary PPE including a face shield or welding helmet compliant with EN 175, welding gloves to EN 407 or EN 12477, and safety footwear to EN ISO 20345. The anti-static properties of the garment will be reduced by contamination, laundering damage, and wear. In ATEX zones, confirm the operative is earthed: resistance between the operative and earth must be less than 10⁸Ω. Do not wear garments made from polyamide, polyester, or acrylic fibres underneath this coverall. Where there is an attached hood, peripheral vision and hearing may be impaired.

Maintenance

Machine wash at a maximum of 40°C using a normal process. Do not bleach, tumble dry, or dry clean. Do not iron reflective tape or labels. Industrial laundering to EN ISO 15797 is recommended for ongoing FR compliance. Replace the garment when the maximum of 50 wash cycles is reached, when the material shows visible fading, tearing, or heavy abrasion, when reflective tape performance has degraded, or when the garment is permanently soiled, cracked, or burnt. Store away from direct sunlight in clean, dry conditions. Do not repair damaged garments, replace with a new unit.