The Beatrice Board of Public Works discussed implementing new fire resistant clothing for the electric department at its Wednesday meeting.
Electric superintendent Pat Feist said new safety standards were the driving force behind the new clothes.
“This is just to bring us into compliance with the national electric safety code and OSHA requirements,” Feist said. “It states that if you have an employee working around energized equipment, they need to have proper clothing on in case of an accident.”
“This clothing is made out of treated fabric that will not keep burning after a flame has been put out,” he added.
BPW manager Neal Niedfeldt said 10 city employees qualify for the clothing program and will each be provided a $1,000 allowance for clothes.
Feist said the clothing can cost as much as $40 for a shirt and $70 for jeans.
“Cost for this equipment is fairly expensive,” Feist said. “The basis for these regulations is so the clothing they’re wearing doesn’t increase the severity of any burns.”
Feist said non-flame retardant fabrics, such as polyester, can burn into the skin in a hot situation.
Workers qualifying for the allowance will wear the specialized clothing at all times on the job. In the winter, workers can wear non-fireproof clothing if it is under the fireproof clothes they have purchased.
Feist said the only other fabric workers are allowed to wear is cotton because while it will burn, it doesn’t burn into the skin.
The allowance will also cover appropriate winter clothing.
Should an article of clothing be lost or damaged because of worker error, the worker would be responsible for funding a replacement.
BPW board chairman Don Vetrovsky said safety is always a top concern for the city.
“Safety is always a top priority and it’s a good idea to stay ahead of that,” Vetrovsky said.
The cost of the clothing was already in this year’s budget.
In other business:
n The BPW heard a water system assessment from Barney Whatley of the Nebraska Rural Water Association. Whatley had no major concerns for the department