The release of a new lab coat wouldn’t normally be groundbreaking enough to be spotlighted in our Tech News section, but Workrite Uniform Company’s new Workrite® FR/CP™ Lab Coat is one of a kind. This lab coat is the fi rst to include both fl ame-resistant (FR) properties and chemical-splash protection (CP). The company adds that the coat is also super-comfortable and convenient, which should help to improve wearer compliance in the lab.

“This new (lab) coat is the latest generation. I have seen experiments and have participated in experiments with this coat, and it is truly remarkable,” said Craig Merlic, associate professor of chemistry at UCLA and executive director at the UC Center for Laboratory Safety. “I look at this new material as being absolutely transformative and a real game changer in terms of laboratory safety.”

The coat combines the FR properties of Nomex® IIIA fabric with Westex® ShieldTEC™, a proprietary chemical-splash protective technology. That combination provides “protection against short-duration thermal incidents and emergency exposure to fl ame while resisting the penetration and wicking of inadvertent liquid chemical splashes,” the company stated in a release. Before, if lab professionals wanted to protect themselves from both fire and chemical hazards, they needed at least two separate safety garments, which were less comfortable and not as convenient, Workrite added.

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Workrite’s solution, in addition to protecting against multiple hazards, is also UL certifi ed to NFPA 2112 and is durable and lightweight. It’s available in cuts for both men and women and includes a number of other safety-enhancing features.

For more information, visit www.workritefrcp.com