NFPA 70E Apparel Programs & FR Shirt Embroidery Guide

This article is educational. It does not perform an electrical hazard assessment, select PPE, or certify a finished garment.

Know Who Decides What

• The employer and safety lead assess the hazard and select the required protective system.
• The garment manufacturer supplies the product label, arc rating, care instructions, and modification guidance.
• The decorator documents the proposed materials, equipment, method, proof, and production controls.
• Bighorn can coordinate a quote and request available documents from selected partners.

Use Current Standards and Product Documents

NFPA 70E addresses electrical safety in the workplace. The employer should use the current edition and applicable OSHA requirements for its program.

A product label and manufacturer documents identify the exact garment. Do not infer an arc rating from fabric name, brand, color, or a general FR description.

Document Every Decoration Input

1. Garment. Manufacturer, model, size range, color, label, rating, and care instructions.
2. Thread. Brand, product, fiber, colors, and available technical data.
3. Backing and topping. Exact materials and whether they remain in the garment.
4. Method. Needle process, stitch file, density, finished dimensions, and placement.
5. Proof. Scaled artwork tied to the exact garment and size range.
6. Approval. Written acceptance from the employer and garment manufacturer.

Thread Alone Does Not Approve the Garment

Aramid and other specialty threads may be available. That does not establish that the complete embroidery is suitable for a specific garment or hazard.

Ask the manufacturer to review thread, backing, stitch density, logo size, and placement together. Keep the response with the order record.

Placement Is Product Specific

Do not use a universal chest, sleeve, or back rule. A manufacturer may limit decoration by area, layer, seam, pocket, label, or garment design.

Review every size in the program. A placement that fits one size may cross a seam, pocket, or label on another.

Screen Printing Needs the Same Review

Printing adds ink, covered area, and a curing process. Supply the exact ink system, curing conditions, size, and placement to the garment manufacturer.

Do not describe a finished item as compliant based only on the ink or thread supplier's claim. The employer evaluates the complete protective system.

Build a Reviewable Quote

A proposal should identify the exact garment, decoration materials, proof, quantities, sizes, pricing, expected timing, and approval dependencies. Availability and documentation depend on the selected manufacturer and production partner.