Workwear Solutions for Working in the Electric Vehicle Industry

As the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles is increasing, the electric vehicle industry needs to come up with solutions to clothe their staff.

The automotive industry is changing rapidly and traditional mechanics are being replaced with ‘technicians’. Most technicians have been re-trained to maintain electric powered vehicles. However, electric vehicles contain high- level of electric charge and so the automotive industry have to protect their technicians by reclothing them with special staff uniforms so they can work safely.

To meet the rising demand to protect technicians exposed to the high voltages, workwear manufacturers have developed new ranges of head-to-toe protection.

We at PCL Corporate Wear, recommend protective clothing that is certified to EN ISO 11612 and EN 61482-2 to minimize the impact of the associated risks. We offer Tranemo Advanced Workwear that is tested and certified to withstand energy of possible Electric Arc and protects your staff against that risk.

Additionally, we offer Tranemo Skinsafe system that comes with an outer layer providing PPE 2 protection and an Arc Rating above 8 cal/cm²   (ATPV or EBT value as per NFPA 70E).    

Electric Arc risks;

• Molten Metal splashes
• Convective heat
• Radiant heat
• Shock waves
• Electric shock
• High noise
• Optical radiation
• Toxic gas
• Flame & Heat

That said, when working with car batteries and defect batteries there is always a risk of an Electric Arc. So, having the right uniform clothing solution marked IEC 61482-2 / EN 61482-2 is needed to protect your staff.

We also recommend that insulated rubber gloves be part of the protective staff uniform when working near all high-voltage components and not just vehicle batteries. Remember, standard latex gloves are not thick enough and do not provide sufficient protection from the shock hazard. That said, ensure that you wear cotton under-gloves beneath electrical safety for complete protection.

For protection against live voltages up to 1 kilovolt, we recommend that technicians wear insulating rubber aprons. Also, dielectric over-boots must be worn over existing footwear for extra protection of insulation. That said, manufacturers have also designed non-metallic work boots and shoes to protect technicians from electrical discharges up 18 kilo volts.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that there will be a surge in electric vehicles in the future and so the electric vehicle industry will have to upgrade their team’s uniforms.

So, if you’re looking to upgrade your staff work uniform, PCL Corporatewear is your trusted partner! For further assistance, please get in touch with us.