Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Hot liquid and steam hazards at industrial worksites are becoming much more commonplace with increased useof steam extraction methods in the oil and gas (O&G) industry and exposure to fluids greater than 60°C. Theprotective clothing systems that are currently in use in the O&G industry are woefully inadequate to protectworkers against hot liquid and steam hazards. In North America, the frequency of occurrence of injuries fromthe hazards of hot liquid and steam is nearly equivalent to the frequency of injuries from flash fire exposure. Inaddition to the thermal hazards, there are also potential chemical or carcinogenic hazards in the frequentworker exposure to drilling mud. If a protective system can limit this hazardous exposure, then health andsafety will dramatically improve. The objective is for Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) to assistAlberta Garment in the creation and testing of an innovative clothing system that will protect workers from thehazards of hot liquid & steam exposure. This will involve an analysis of the safety hazard, researching thelatest innovative protective textiles and conducting product development, applied research and testing using thetools and expertise within our new Apparel Innovation Centre (AIC). Outcomes will be: 1) the development ofnew innovative products that could be commercialized by Alberta Garment; 2) an increased knowledge basefor the students of Olds College; 3) a greater understanding within the apparel industry of what materials anddesigns work best for protection against this hazard; and 4) access to protective clothing that will offer a higherlevel of safety for industrial workers.