Have you ever found yourself looking for quality ARC protection and then questioned the price? Have you ever found the product you are looking for and then wondered if you really need to spend that much?
Arc flash protection is not cheap.
Having worked closely with clients at LION for over 8 years, I've often seen the initial shock associated with the price tag.
Companies know they need it; after they understand what is an arc flash and clarify the question does my team need arc flash protection? Companies want to buy it, and they do a great product trial with great reviews. All along the question remains: do we have to pay that much? Are there cheaper products available?
Why does protecting people from an arc flash cost so much money, and are there cheaper options out there? How do you know if you are getting the best value for your money?
In this article, we’re going to unpack all the questions we get asked about the price of arc flash protection so that when you finish reading, you’ll know where to start when it comes to making informed choices as a buyer.
If you are looking to jump to a specific question, this is what we will cover:
People are often shocked when they see the cost of arc flash protection, particularly when compared to flame retardant, anti-static (FRAS) garments or other items of PPE that are not arc-rated. Arc Flash protection is expensive, there are no two ways about it. But, there are good reasons why there is a price jump between standard/FRAS workwear and arc-rated protection.
Due to the technical nature of Arc Flash protection, there isn’t really such a thing as ‘cheap’ protection. The manufacturing process that goes into making a garment compliant with arc standards IEC 61482-2, BS EN ISO 11611 and 11612 make it more expensive than other categories of clothing.
Here are some of the other factors that contribute to the higher price of arc flash clothing:
PPE is the last line of defence and could be what stands between your workers and a life-changing or fatal injury.
This graph shows the Minimum, Average and Maximum investment values you would make, based on LION’s 3 typical quality ranges (Good, Better, Best).
Please note: This graph doesn’t factor into account any volume discounts a supplier might attribute/offer based on the volumes of an initial order and is based on our own data.
When working with a smaller workforce, the variation in cost is lower compared to a larger workforce due to a lower employee count. This suggests that if you had the investment, it would be easier to make the investment in better quality workwear if you were working with a smaller workforce.
The bigger the workforce, the more you need to consider the quality vs cost ratio on a product-by-product basis; the cost differential between quality levels has a significant impact on the final investment value the more employees you have.
Consider trials and sampling and seek to understand how the garments perform in the environment to ensure what you choose is going to maximise the lifetime of the garment (if this is what you are looking for).
The Basket offering (Minimum, Typical, Maximum) is determined by the following chart, based on industry ordering patterns:
Typical Basket Offering - What is included?
|
Item |
Minimum |
Typical |
Maximum |
|
Cargo Trousers |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
L/S Poloshirt |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Sweatshirt |
1 |
3 |
3 |
|
W/P Jacket |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
W/P Trousers |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Coverall |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Gloves |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Helmet |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Base Layers |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Footwear |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Getting the best value for your money on arc flash protection can seem like an impossible task due to the hefty price tag. But, it isn’t impossible. We look at ‘value’ as ‘Cost in Use’.
Cost in use is a great way to make sure that the products you are buying are a good fit for your requirements and company (this is true of all workwear and PPE, not just arc flash protection). Cost-in-use exercises can help you identify what your level of investment should be.
Do you recognise yourself in any of the below scenarios?
Sound familiar? You are taking the first steps towards identifying which products and subsequent levels of protection are the best fit for you.
1, 2 and 7 all share an implied long-term use for arc flash PPE and a need for quality and longevity. If you identified with these scenarios, you will get the best value for money from a higher-quality brand, such as ProGARM, Mascot or Tranemo. These products are made well, manufactured to achieve high standards and maintain compliance through technical features which enable the garment to:
If the premise of having short-term staff is what resonated with you about scenario 3, it is safe to assume that you don’t want to invest too much in gear for employees who are contracted or short-term. If you have high staff turnover or only work through contracts, it can be better value for money to go for middle-lower quality kit.
With scenario 5, you could really go for any category. Here, we would recommend conducting wearer trials to ensure that whatever investment you choose, your staff are happy and comfortable to continue wearing it for as long as possible. Durability is where you will get your best value.
Scenario 4 is a call to check your risk assessments: do your team need arc-rated workwear or not? If you are unsure, consider conducting an arc study. This will let you know:
From here, on a smaller budget for short-term staff, you would want to look at middle-lower quality brands.
Finally, scenario 6. This scenario is best-suited to middle-grade quality arc flash PPE. With a smaller budget, you won’t be able to afford to replace it frequently, which is more common with lower-quality products, but you can’t justify the price tag on the higher-quality kits. You will get the best value from middle-quality garments that will last your team longer and be comfortable without paying a premium for higher quality.
Cost in use is a very valuable exercise to do before you speak to a supplier. The top considerations you need to take into account when conducting any cost-in-use exercise are:
When looking at the price of ARC workwear and PPE some companies prefer to buy a garment at a time and order hand to mouth. This generally keeps the price up as its order by order and you can’t get any scale on getting a better price on volume purchases.
Other companies take a more strategic approach and order a full ARC protection kit for the employees and order this via a personnel pack process. A personnel pack is when you place the order for an employee and they get a full kit delivered in a parcel directly to them with their name on the outside and everything they need is in one box.
Below are some indicative price ranges based on each employee receiving the below ARC workwear and PPE products in a personnel pack
> Good Kit - £400 - £700 per personnel pack
> Better Kit - £700 - £1100 per personnel pack
> Best Kit - £1500 - £2000 per personnel pack
Arc flash protection costs a lot of money, and initially as guidance in certain areas is currently only advisory (HSG47 guidance), it can be easy for companies to overlook it, viewing it as something you can opt-out of providing.
The truth is that everybody has a duty of care, and there are options here for you if you really can’t afford it. These options are:
There is always an entry point into the market; there are cheaper options out there, and as long as they are compliant with the correct standards, it will protect your workers from arc flash.
It’s human nature to wonder, right? Particularly when it comes to an item associated with such a hefty price tag. So, what happens if your workers do need arc protection but don’t have it?
If an employee under your care who you have failed to protect with adequate risk-mitigating PPE should become injured or die (either on-site or from their injuries), you could face large fines. (Examples of large fines handed to employers due to arc flash incidents.) Of course, no amount of monetary fines can make up for a lost or permanently changed life, and this is why it is important to ensure you have the correct protection in place for your employees.
Well, you’re in the right place. Book a call with our Director of Business Development today for an initial call and an accurate pricing matrix tailored to your specific demands.
Alternatively have a read of the article:
What is the difference between FR & ARC PPE?