Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Service
How do I place an order?
At Tyndale, we specialize in allowance programs for employees. If you’ve never placed an order with us and want to learn more about our allowance program for your company, speak to one of our sales representatives. If you’re an existing customer and your company has an established account and online ordering with Tyndale, it’s quick and easy to logon to your customized online ordering system. However, not all companies take advantage of our online ordering capability: in that case, simply fax your order to us on 215.766.5661 or contact customer service at 800.356.3433.

I don’t remember my password to place an allowance order online. How do I find out what it is?
Just go to our account login page – you’ll be prompted for the information we need. Once we receive that information, we’ll send an email with your login and password.

How do I find status on an order? The clothing I ordered last time from Tyndale fit great, but I don’t remember my size. How can I be sure that I get the same great fit?
It’s easy – just go to your account login. From there, you have access to order status and your complete ordering history. You’ll see a complete listing of all of the products (with size) you’ve ordered in the past, allowance balance and products currently available for ordering through your allowance program.

Are there special laundering instructions for flame resistant apparel?
The flame resistant characteristics of your clothing can be maintained using common laundering and care. For best results:

• Wash inside out in warm or cold water using a brand name detergent.

• Do not to use any bleach, fabric softener or detergent with bleach or fabric softener on your FR clothing – that could impact the flame resistance of the apparel.

• All clothing is dry cleanable.

• Select items are dry clean only.

What’s your return and exchange policy?
Every company that we work with establishes their own policy on returns and exchanges. It’s best to contact us to determine the policy for your company – just call customer service on 800.356.3433 to learn the specifics for your apparel program. Tyndale warrants all products to be free from manufacturers’ defects for the useful life of the garment. In the rare situation that you encounter such a product, please return it to us immediately. We’ll either repair or replace the item, at no cost to you, the customer.

What’s your repair policy?
Tyndale offers a repair service for the apparel that we sell. Return the garment to us, and we’ll determine whether or not it’s repairable or it must be replaced. We process repairs promptly. The actual repair time is usually an hour or less, and is billed at an hourly rate.

Garment Information
What’s the correct way to measure to ensure a proper fit?
From our years of experience, we’ve found the best way to ensure a proper fit is through our on-site fittings. Be sure to participate when Tyndale comes to your work location. If you’re unable to do so, use the information below as a guide to determining your size:
Neck: Select a collared shirt that fits you well. Lay the collar flat and measure from the far end of the button hole to the button. Round up to the nearest _” for your neck measurement.
Sleeve Length: Bend your elbow 90 degrees and place your hand on your hip. Hold the tape at the center back of your neck. Measure across your shoulder to your elbow, and down to your wrist. The total length in inches is your sleeve length.
Chest: Measure just under arms and across shoulder blades at the widest part of the chest. Be sure the tape measure is parallel to the floor. If waist is greater than chest measurement, use waist measurement.
Waist: At your natural waistline, measure where your pants would normally ride. For an accurate measurement, do not measure over other clothing.
Inseam: Measure a pair of pants with a good fit in length. Lay the pants flat and measure along the inseam from the crotch to the bottom of the leg hem.

Sizing Chart

How is a boot EH rated?
A boot is filled with steel BBs, and placed on a steel plate. A positive electric wire is placed in the BBs, and a negative is connected to the steel plate. The test measures how much current can travel through the sole of the boot. EH rated boots have been tested and found to offer sufficient resistance to electric current.

Are Tyndale’s boots Electric Hazard (EH) Rated?
All of the boots Tyndale sells are EH Rated and meet the requirements of ASTM F2413 – 05, specification for performance requirements for protective footwear. Most utilities require their workers to wear EH Rated boots. And, NFPA 70E has a provision for foot protection for hazard risk category 2 and higher.

What about ANSI Z41 PT99 – isn’t that the standard for protective footwear?
The American National Standard’s Institute Z41 Committee on Personal Protection – Protective Footwear has merged into ASTM International’s Committee F13. With this merger, F13 oversees the redrafting of ANSI Z41 performance requirements and test method standards for protective footwear. The ANSI Z41 standard has been withdrawn and the ASTM standards – F2412-05 and F2413-05 now provide the industry standard for protective footwear.

What are the differences between the old ANSI standard and the new ASTM standard?
The major performance characteristics that have changed from the old standard to the new are the removal of those for Type II Static Dissipative and Class 30 for impact and compression requirements. As a result, the significant majority of protective footwear that met ANSI Z41 PT99 will now meet the new ASTM F2412-05 and F2413-05. All of the protective footwear that Tyndale sells meet the new ASTM standard.

Tyndale offers several steel toe boots. What protection does that provide to the wearer?
Steel toe boots provide a steel protective covering over the toe, which protects the wearer from injury - meeting ASTM standards for impact and compression. Steel toes are generally required by most industries, but are uncomfortable for people who walk long distances (like meter readers) and difficult for those who go through metal detectors in the course of their daily work (like nuclear workers). Tyndale offers many boots with steel toe and several without steel toe.

What type of work is a composite toe boot best suited for?
A composite toe boot is a non-metallic, non-magnetic protective covering over the toe, which resists corrosion and serves the same function as the steel toe. Tyndale’s composite toe boot meets ASTM standards for impact and compression - except it does not set off metal detectors. Tyndale offers a single composite toe boot.

What is a steel shank and when is it used?
This is a metal plate in the sole of the boot that makes it more comfortable for a worker to stand for a long time on a narrow peg. It provides extra support for the foot, and is used for climbing. Tyndale offers several steel shank boots.

What is a composite shank?
A composite shank is a non-metal plate in the sole of the boot, serving the same function as a steel shank. Tyndale offers one composite shank boot – it’s EH rated and provides protection against impact and compression.

What about boot height – are there specific requirements?
This is the height that the boot goes up the wearer's leg. Most utility work requires a minimum boot height of 6". All of the boots that Tyndale sells are at least 6” high – and we offer several climbing boots with an 8” height.

What’s the difference between insulated and waterproof boots?
Insulated boots are lightweight, quick-drying with moisture resistant insulation that helps to keep feet warm. Waterproof boots offer seam-sealed construction and waterproof leather and help to keep feet dry.

What’s the difference in size between mens and womens boots?
A rule of thumb to follow: there is approximately a 1 1/2 size difference between mens and womens boots. So, mens size 7 is equal to womens size 8 1/2; mens size 8 1/2 is equal to womens size 10 and so forth.

NFPA 70E
What is NFPA 70E?
NFPA 70E 2004 Edition is the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. It’s published by the National Fire Protection Association. According to the document itself, NFPA 70E was created because “it became apparent that a need existed for a new standard tailored to fit OSHA’s responsibilities, that would be fully consistent with the NEC [National Electrical Code].” It establishes thresholds for worker protective apparel based on exposure to arc hazard risk and is designed to protect workers that install, maintain or repair electrical systems.

What work activities and which industries are impacted by NFPA 70E?
NFPA 70E covers “the installation of electric conductors, electric equipment, signaling and communications conductors and equipment, and raceways” in public and private premises, yards, lots and parking lots and equipment that connect to the supply of electricity and installations used by electric utilities that are not an integral part of a generating plant, substation or control center.

Specifically exempt from NFPA 70E are ships and watercraft, installations in mines, railway power used exclusively for operating rolling stock, communications equipment under exclusive control of communications utilities and transmission and distribution work performed by electric utilities.

Why should I be concerned with NFPA 70E?
As a national consensus safety standard, NFPA 70E is not a law and it has not been incorporated into the Code of Federal Regulations. Therefore, compliance with it is not deemed mandatory. Even so, OSHA has cited it in cases where lack of compliance has resulted in a workplace accident. This has impacted a broad variety of work environments – from Fortune 500 companies to Federal Labs – and has resulted in increased standard awareness, improved worker safety and the recognition that compliance with NFPA 70E is of critical importance to companies and their employees.

How can I be cited by OSHA if compliance is not required by law?
Typically, OSHA might cite non-compliance with 29CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i) which requires the use of protective equipment when working where a potential electrical hazard exists or 29CFR 1910.132(d)(1), which requires employer assessment of workplace hazards and the use of personal protective equipment. These regulations, written in general terms, are supported by NFPA 70E. NFPA 70E helps employers by providing the requisite “how-to” for compliance. In addition, OSHA has used the “general duty clause” in the past when citing companies.

What is the “general duty clause”?
The general duty clause is defined in the Occupational and Safety Health Act of 1970 – Section 5 (a)(1) and states “…each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” This clause has been cited in the past – and court precedent and the review commission have borne out the validity of the general duty clause given certain elements are present:

The employer failed to keep the workplace free of a hazard to which employees of that employer were exposed.
The hazard was causing or was likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
The hazard was recognized (i.e. safety, trade organization, industry customs).
There was a feasible and useful method to correct the hazard.

So, although NFPA 70E is not a standard or a law, the intent is clear: companies are expected to maintain a safe place of employment for their workers, including appropriate protection from electric arc flash. At Tyndale, we have years of experience in managing turnkey flame resistant apparel programs for companies and their employees. We offer flexibility and exceptional service, with the desire to develop and implement a program that’s right for your company.

OK, I’m convinced that compliance with NFPA 70E is important to my company. What’s required of employers?
NFPA 70E requires that employers conduct a flash hazard analysis and provide clothing to workers designed to protect against the level of risk associated with each task. Recognize that the guidelines available in NFPA 70E are just that – guidelines. They are a good starting point, but are not a substitute for a complete flash hazard analysis

What is a flash hazard analysis?
NFPA 70E describes a flash hazard analysis as “a study investigating a worker’s potential exposure to arc-flash energy, conducted for the purpose of injury prevention and the determination of safe work practices and the appropriate levels of PPE.” The analysis should also take into account the Flash Protection Boundary and the flame resistant clothing that employees within the Flash Protective Boundary should wear.”

What is the flash protection boundary?
The flash protection boundary marks the distance of an approach limit from which a person could receive a second degree burn if an electrical arc flash were to occur. It is determined based on a series of variables including Voltage and time of arc exposure (in seconds). Workers wearing clothing in the appropriate hazard risk category (HRC) will be protected against injury if exposed to electric arc flash.

What are the guidelines within NFPA 70E on how to assess the flash hazard and determine adequate protection for the worker?
NFPA 70E cites three methods for assessing a flash hazard: 1) conduct a flash hazard analysis. For companies with hundreds or even thousands of employees and a broad variety of work activities taking place around “momentary electric arc and … thermal hazards” every day, this could be an unwieldy task. 2) Use Table 130.7(C) (9) (a) from NFPA 70E to determine the hazard/risk category for a specific task. This table includes a comprehensive list of the most commonly encountered tasks and the associated risk category – and required protection – for each. Or, 3) Use Annex H from NFPA 70E. It provides a simplified, two category approach to flame resistant apparel. While the table and annex provide useful guidelines, remember that the approach recommended is to perform a flash hazard analysis.

Table 130.7(C)(11) Protective Clothing Characteristics (abbreviated)

What topics does NFPA 70E cover?
The 2004 edition of NFPA 70E has an introduction, four chapters and annexes.

Chapter 1 - Safety–Related Work Practices contains the real core of the standard – including establishing an electrically safe work condition and working on or near live parts.

Chapter 2 - Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements documents good electrical maintenance procedures.

Chapter 3 - Safety Requirements for Special Equipment.

Chapter 4 – Installation Safety Requirements; is a very truncated version of the NEC®. This chapter is based on applicable sections of the NEC®, but is not intended to be used in lieu of the NEC®.

Annexes A through M include useful information such as a “how-to” for calculating flash protection boundaries, a sample LOTO procedure, a simplified method for selecting flame-resistant clothing, and a sample Energized Electrical Work Permit.

Where can I find out more about NFPA 70E?
You can download a complete copy of NFPA 70E – just go to www.nfpa70e.com for a link to download the entire document.

Electric Utilities
What is flame resistant (FR) clothing?
Flame resistant clothing stops burning once the source of ignition, either a flame or an electric arc, is removed. Essentially, the fabric self-extinguishes and the secondary source of potential injury – clothes burning against the skin – is removed. All Tyndale-manufactured FR clothing passes the vertical flame test and meets the stringent requirements of ASTM F1506.

What are government regulations for FR clothing?
The only law relevant to flame resistant clothing for electrical applications – OSHA 1910.269 – states “the employer shall ensure that each employee who is exposed to the hazards of flames or electric arc does not wear clothing that, when exposed to flames or electric arc, could increase the extent of the injury that would be sustained by the employee.”

How can I be sure I’m in compliance with OSHA 1910.269?
For electric utility workers, compliance means meeting OSHA’s safety requirements for electrical work. From a practical standpoint, as long as a workers clothing does not melt, ignite or continue to burn during or after an arc or flame exposure, the worker is in compliance. Although OSHA does not specifically state the requirements to meet its safety standards, repeated rulings indicate that workers wearing flame resistant clothing – like the FR clothing available through Tyndale employee allowance programs – are in compliance.

Does compliance with OSHA’s law mean that I’m sufficiently protected?
Compliance doesn’t necessarily translate to protection. Protection is essentially protecting yourself from a burn. While OSHA states that clothing cannot contribute to a burn, it does not require workers to wear sufficient clothing to completely protect them from the arc itself. Therefore, you can be in compliance with the law, but still be severely injured from an arc.

What do you recommend to help ensure sufficient protection?
The primary concept behind protection is that you should wear enough clothing to ensure that the arc’s energy is absorbed by your clothing. Testing has shown that the heavier the fabric, the higher the Arc Rating. There are five factors that determine the intensity of the arc.
A typical scenario encountered might be:

• 8 kA – Amperage • 6" arc gap

• 8 kV – Voltage • 30 cycles

• 12" distance from arc

Resulting in a 36 cal Arc.

Because of the variability in conditions leading to an electric arc, it is difficult to estimate a likely incident energy level for any particular job. In addition, it’s important to follow your company’s established safety procedures and follow the recommended care instructions for your clothing.

What is protection through layering?
By wearing clothes in layers – for example, a sweatshirt over a henley – the layer of air between the clothing has actually been shown through Arc testing to provide “3 for 2” protection. What does this mean? Wearing two layers of flame resistant clothing together gives about 50% more protection than is provided by the sum of the arc ratings. For example: a henley shirt with a 5.8 arc rating layered over a button down shirt with an 8.2 arc rating delivers enhanced protection.

• additive ATPV value of 8.2 + 5.8 = 14.0 ATPV (cal/cm2)

• actual ATPV value is 24.3 ATPV (cal/cm2) – more than 50% higher than the additive value!

Cover as much of your body as is possible with layered flame resistant fabrics. This is the best way to ensure your safety in a hazard situation.

What does Arc rating measure?
Arc rating measures the amount of heat the flame resistant fabric blocks when exposed to flame. In essence, the level of protection provided to you.

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