Critical Fabric and Clothing Properties

Critical Fabric and Clothing Properties

Employers should consider some of the critical fabric and clothing properties (e.g., strength properties of the fabric and seams [e.g., tensile strength and seam strength], barrier properties of seams/closures, size of the garment, etc.) when selecting the appropriate protective clothing. If the fabric or seams and barrier layer on the fabric is not durable enough to withstand typical stresses applied during wear or use (e.g., if wrong size garment is used), garments may tear during kneeling, reaching, or bending. In addition, garments too large for the wearer may catch or snag on objects.

Seams/closures are critical components of the overall barrier protection provided by fluid-resistant or impermeable garments. It is vital to select the appropriate seam configuration to be able to protect from the penetration of blood and body fluids. Several seaming techniques are used in the construction of protective clothing, including serged or sewn, bound, taped, double taped, and ultrasonic welded. Employers should consider the barrier resistance of seams/closures when selecting the appropriate protective clothing in addition to the strength properties.

Once a facility selects a specific garment and each healthcare worker knows his or her proper garment size, switching to another supplier requires each wearer to determine the proper size needed for the specific product model selected. “ANSI/ISEA 101-2014 American National Standard for Limited-Use and Disposable Coveralls—Size and Labeling Requirements,” includes a sizing chart and a set of exercises in which a user can validate that a garment is the proper size, thereby assisting facilities in selecting the appropriate size for each wearer.