The use of aramids and para-aramids in the manufacture of individual protective equipment

The paper presents the possibility of using aramids and para-aramids in order to increase the mechanical and thermal quality of individual protective equipment and the possibility of being used in harsh environments. The work will highlight the physico-chemical characteristics of aramids and para-aramids in comparison with the classic materials from which individual protective equipment is made in the present. The utility of the equipment will also be taken into account for their use underground in mining operations, a condition that is fulfilled by their chemical treatment.


Introduction
Occupational safety is represented as a set of actions and measures for the prevention of occupational risks, the protection of the health and safety of workers, for the elimination of risk factors and accidents through information, consultation, training, the protection of workers and their representatives.
In Romania, occupational safety measures are regulated by the Law on occupational health and safety and its application rules, occupational safety regulations and specific occupational health and safety instructions.
Occupational health and safety (OSH) are a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health and well-being of people at work.The purpose of this occupational health and safety program is to promote a safe and healthy occupational environment, thus OSH protects the entire public wide that can be affected by the occupational environment.[5] According to the official estimates of the United Nations, almost 2 million people die every year due to exposure to occupational risk factors, and 374 million non-fatal work accidents are recorded annually.Thus, thanks to these programs, the creation of individual protective equipment was considered, which have the role of preventing or reducing the risk of accidents.[7] Personal protective equipment consists of protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other clothing or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection.
The hazards addressed by protective equipment are physical, electrical, thermal, chemical, biological hazards, and particulate matter.Protective equipment can be worn both at work, as well as for sports and other recreational activities.
The purpose of protective equipment is to reduce employee exposure to hazards when controls are not effective in reducing risks to acceptable levels.
The first protective equipment has been known to people since ancient times, being present in the form of armours whose purpose was to protect the bodies against physical injuries.Another example of protective equipment can be considered the protective uniform worn by plague doctors in 16th century Europe.[7] Personal protective equipment can be classified according to the area of the body protected, the types of hazards and the type of clothing or accessory.Thus, we can exemplify equipment for respiratory protection, skin protection, eye protection, hearing protection, etc.
Most of the time, protective gear is not very comfortable, but the benefits it brings cannot be ignored.When it comes to work clothes, it offers workers several advantages that any employer must consider when it comes to their employees.Some of these are: High safety in all possible working conditions; Thermal comfort, depending on certain very important environmental factors; Resistance to external weather conditions such as cold or rain; Practical and in line with the needs of employees; Easy, offering greater mobility.For example, the clothing for the protection of different categories of employees should be selected individually, the welder's clothing must primarily protect the worker from sparks during metal cutting and welding.To do this, it is made of the coarsest tarpaulin materials with a special fire-resistant impregnation -the fabric of such a coverall must withstand up to 50 seconds of ignition.
Electricians need reliable protection that is provided by a work suit with a special antistatic layer.The worker must protect himself not only from industrial pollution, but also from the action of humidity.Thus, the choice of material for making work clothes is very important and most of the time three types of fabrics are used, namely: natural fibers (cotton, linen or wool) synthetic fibers (fleece, nylon and oxford) mixed fibers are 30-40% synthetic fibers and 60-70% natural Natural fibers are available today and in high demand.Among other natural fibers, wool fiber is also chosen by producers as one of the significant natural fibers.

The use of protective equipment in the firedamp environment
Explosion hazards can occur in all activities involving flammable substances.These can include many of the raw materials, intermediate products, final products and waste from the normal production process.Since explosions can cause human losses and property damage immeasurable, the evaluation of the risk of explosions and the establishment of appropriate measures to reduce it to acceptable levels according to the norms and standards in force acquire special importance for the security and health of people and goods.
The equipment in the field of the ATEX Directive is classified by groups and categories, and the new regulations introduced the term equipment protection level -EPL (Equipment Protection Level): Ga, Gb, Gc for equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres generated by gases and Da, Db, Dc for equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres generated by combustible dust in the air, as follows:

Table 1 .
Classification of equipment in the field of the ATEX Directive.