Not Everything Is As It Seems

[blkbear]

Neede to do some heavy duty grinding last Sunday - first non rain day here in Ottawa in quite a while. Got myself set up all of the safety gear on, ear plugs, gloves, face sheild, work overalls and cotton sweatshirt.
About half way through the grinding I felt my right hip getting a bit warm. In the nano second of my brain's processing it said "oh not to worry, it's just the sprks from the grinder" then it said "wait a minute - the sparks from grinding shouldn't be hot - you better have a look at your hip." So brain turns head to look at right hip then says - "xxxx xxxx - I'm on fire".
Fire quickly patted out with no damage to me but a six inch diameter hole in my "new" work sweatshirt.
Cotton may be best for working near hot stuff but I really need to pay more attention to peripherals. It is certainly not fireproof.

Brian

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[6013]

It would seem you forget your leather apron.

[KjZitur]

The smell of smoldering cotton always gets my attention!! LOL........ken

[the_sandy_creek_forge]

Hm... reminds me of "gee my leg feels warm....AAAHHHH *sound of leg splashing in slack tub*" don't wear frayed clothing!!
Just remember: it's better to have cotton singe and smolder than to have nylon/rayon/whatever melt and stick.
-Aaron @ the SCF

[bipolarandy]

yeah, you know its bad when you set your leather apron on fire... i'v done that before

[blkbear]

I now have a leather apron AND jacket.

Brian

[Tubal-cain]

A number of years ago while working at an iron foundry I was asked to give a plant tour to a Plant Safety class from the local university (Stout in Menomonie, WI). During the tour some of the students noticed that one of my workmates who was pouring iron (at 2400 deg F) had flames climbing up his legs from the cuff of his pants. I yelled "Hey Jeff, you're on fire". Jeff patted out the flames and replied "Thanks, man". Just another day at the foundry. The students got a real life lesson.

[ThomasPowers]

IIRC you can presoak your clothing in a borax solution to decrease it's flamability---also helps it wash clean afterwards. It will have to be re-applied after every washing though.

Thomas

[Ralph G Gilmore]

On oil rigs we must wear fire retardent clothing. I use either PROBAN, or NORMEX III, extremely expensive, but what price is your life.

[ApprenticeMan]

Hey Ralph, got any links to sites that sell those suits?