Infranord and Tranemo - When safety meets comfort
Infranord is one of Sweden's leading players in railway infrastructure. Their employees work daily in environments that are both challenging and risky. They ensure that the railways are maintained and developed so that Sweden can continue to move forward. Working close to operational tracks, heavy equipment and electrical systems place high demands on expertise, procedures and protective equipment to keep staff safe. It was precisely these requirements that formed the basis for the collaboration with Tranemo and the development of a new protective solution.
In this collaboration, Tranemo and Infranord have developed a new solution that combines safety and comfort. The result is a thin, orange Flame Retardant t-shirt with high-visibility and arc flash protection in a single layer. This garment demonstrates how innovation and close collaboration can solve challenges that have previously lacked solutions.
The challenge
Eva Nordqvist, Health and Safety Co-ordinator at Infranord, clearly describes the challenge. "Our employees often work in environments with a risk of electric arcs and high-visibility requirements. At the same time, the clothing must be cool and comfortable, especially on hot days. The new long-sleeved t-shirt combines safety and comfort in a way that was not previously possible."
Before the new t-shirt was developed, Infranord faced a challenge: there was not a comfortable workwear solution that met both arc flash protection and high-visibility requirements. Creating a garment that combined bright orange hi-vis with arc flash protection and all-day comfort had proven difficult. While existing clothing offered some protection, it was often thick, heavy and uncomfortably warm, especially in the summer. As a result, comfort and safety rarely went hand in hand.
The techincal challenge with orange High-Visibility
Developing a Flame Retardant fabric with an intense orange colour that meets the requirements of EN ISO 20471 is complicated. Fluorescent orange fabrics usually require a high proportion of polyester. Since polyester is not a Flame Retardant fibre, it is difficult to combine high-visibility and flame retardancy in the same garment.
Louise Svensson, Technical Development Manager at Tranemo, explains that the solution lies in a new fibre combination. “By reducing the amount of polyester to 29%, compared to the 50% that is common in orange high-visibility clothing, the risk of ignition is reduced. At the same time, resistance to electric arcs is improved.” The inside consists of Flame Retardant fibres for enhanced safety and comfort closest to the skin, while the outside meets visibility requirements. With a fabric weight of 220 g/m², protection, comfort and durability are optimally balanced. The result is an orange Flame Retardant hi-visibility t-shirt that meets safety requirements and user needs.
Collaboration and results
To meet the challenge, Infranord's Clothing Group worked closely with Tranemo. The process was characterised by open and close collaboration, with ongoing discussions about needs, risks and user experiences. It was a long and demanding process to develop prototypes and test samples in real working environments. Feedback from users was crucial in ensuring that the garment met both safety requirements and comfort. The process resulted in a solution that meets practical requirements and safety needs in everyday life.
Infranord employees now have a lightweight and comfortable orange Flame Retardant t-shirt. It combines comfort with visibility and protection against electric arcs. The orange colour ensures visibility in busy track environments and the design provides the protection required for the job. Users feel safer, more comfortable and more relaxed during long shifts, even in hot working conditions.
A model for the future
The t-shirt has been extremly well received, already enhancing both comfort and safety in everyday work. For Infranord, it demonstrates the value of developing solutions through close collaboration between suppliers and users. By combining Tranemo's innovation and expertise with Infranord's practical insights, a unique garment has been created, one that sets a new standard for Flame Retardant workwear.
