Arc flash is one of the most dangerous hazards in the workplace causing serious injury and even death. Most fatalities and serious injuries in electrical work occur when there is an electrical contact.
Protection from shock should be the first consideration in injury prevention, but another serious hazard is electric arc. One study presented to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) indicated that 80% of all electrical injuries occur from arc flash and the possible ignition of flammable clothing in electrical arc events. Whether the arc is initiated by dust or corrosion, the dropping of a non-insulated tool, human error or the failure of equipment, all workers exposed to arc flash that cannot completely eliminate the threat or implement engineering controls to avoid an injury should be sure to use the proper arc‑rated safety equipment/apparel for the task being performed.
Furthermore, OSHA workplace rules make the use of rubber insulating equipment mandatory, even when the smallest probability of contact with low or high voltage exists. These rubber goods must be periodically tested to ensure the products maintain their integrity when exposed to a full range of voltages. Saf-T-Gard is uniquely qualified to provide these specialized goods and services with its Voltgard® Test Lab, one of the largest, independent NAIL4PET-accredited test labs for rubber insulating products in the United States. Outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment, the Voltgard facility offers complete testing and recertification of rubber gloves, sleeves, blankets, line hoses, covers, dielectric footwear, jumper cables, grounding sets, plastic guards, hot sticks, matting, hoods and hand tools – all to applicable ASTM standards – and includes washing, visual inspection and electrical testing within its practice. All rubber protective equipment tested by the Voltgard Test Lab undergoes this rigorous sequence to ensure that its customers and their employees are always using safe equipment.
Richard Rivkin, President and CEO of Saf-T-Gard International, Inc., started the Voltgard project as a small test lab in 1983 with the mission to develop the electrical testing and utility industry business by supplying the testing of gloves and blankets for Wisconsin Bell. Since then, the Voltgard Test Lab has expanded to include the Original Rubber Goods Change-Out ProgramSM - the industry’s first automated rubber goods change out program designed to minimize out-of-service time and save money by offering customers complete solutions from start to finish. This process includes cleaning, visual inspection, electrical testing, markings according to customer safety protocols and shipment to the customer warehouse or job site. No other test lab offers this level of service!
Today, the Voltgard Test Lab tests thousands of products for hundreds of customers from its 80,000 square-foot facility, and it has earned a reputation for providing superior safety products and services with the electrical utilities, telecommunications, electrical contractor markets, cable television operators and industrial facilities.
From arc clothing and rubber gloves and sleeves to blankets, line hose and tools, Voltgard conveniently offers a complete line of electrical safety products, as well as one of the largest new rubber goods inventories in the world, available to immediate replace any goods not meeting applicable ASTM, OSHA or company-set standards. As a leading manufacturer and distributor of rubber insulating products, arc flash safety clothing and kits, grounding equipment and testing services, Voltgard is truly dedicated to serving industries where worker safety, protection from electrical current and compliance are critically important. Voltgard remains committed to preventing worker injuries as proven by the hundreds of thousands of workers around the world utilizing Voltgard tested products on the job and safely returning home to their loves ones each day.
About Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. Located in Northbrook, IL, Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. is a privately-held, family-owned and operated global supplier of industrial safety products. Founded in 1936 as Latex Glove Company, Saf-T-Gard quickly evolved into a major manufacturer, distributor, importer and exporter of personal protective equipment, environmental safety, facility safety, first aid, public safety and electrical safety. Today, Saf-T-Gard carries on the tradition that was started more than 78 years ago: bringing customers the products, training and service they need to keep employees safe in the workplace. Saf-T-Gard is a member of the National Safety Council (NSC), International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) and the Safety Marketing Group (SMG) and provides thousands of solutions from recognized brand names in addition to its renowned line of proprietary brands. Saf-T-Gard actively operates the Voltgard Test Lab, one of the largest, independent, NAIL4PET-accredited test labs for rubber insulating products in the United States. To learn more, please visit www.saftgard.com or call 1‑800-548-4273.