EN 1149:2009 – Protective clothing
– Electrostatic properties
Part 5: Performance requirements for materials and design
Standard for workwear with protective properties against electrostatic discharge for use in areas where there is a risk of explosion, e.g. in refineries.
Design requirements
- The clothes must fully cover all fabric that does not provide anti-static protection.
- Accessories, such as labels and reflective tags, must be permanently attached to the garment, so that they cannot be removed from the garment. Floating parts are not allowed. Accessories that can carry electricity, for instance zips and metal buttons, are only allowed if they are fully covered by an anti-static outer textile.
Requirements for textiles
The outer textile must be tested and approved in accordance with the following standards: EN 1149-1 or EN 1149-3. The distance between the threads that can carry electricity must not exceed 10 mm.
User information
When using clothes with electrostatic properties, it is important to be properly grounded. Resistance between person and earth must be less than 108 Ω, this is achieved e.g. by using suitable protective footwear such as shoes with electrostatic properties that meet the requirements of EN ISO 20345:2011 or EN-20344. Protective clothing with electrostatic properties must not be opened or removed in flammable or explosive environments, or when handling flammable or explosive substances. The use of garments in areas with increased oxygen content should only take place after approval from the responsible safety engineer at the workplace. The antistatic properties of the garment can be affected by wear, washing and possible contamination. Materials that are not approved according to the standard must be covered by the protective clothing during normal use (incl. bending and movements).