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Author Archives: Patrick McCoy

  1. New Weight-Compensating Face Shields for Climbing-Style Safety Helmets

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    In recent years, climbing-style safety helmets have become increasingly popular in the United States for use in industrial applications due to their more modern, less cumbersome design. These types of safety helmets feature lower profiles, advanced membrane systems and chin straps for increased protection, are more suitable for working in confined spaces, and offer better side and back impact protection. However, since these helmets are relatively new for industrial applications, many do not offer sufficient face protection accessories, particularly with severe industrial applications.

    To address this issue, Paulson Manufacturing is proud to launch a new line of face shields that are compatible with climbing-style safety helmets and are designed to withstand severe industrial climates. Our weight-compensating face shields offer a solution for nearly every safety helmet manufacturer, including Kask® and Petzl® climbing helmet brands.

    Features & Benefits

    Our face shield solutions for climbing-style safety helmets are designed to keep the wearer comfortable and protected, and for ease of use. Some of the key features and benefits of our full suite of face shields include:

    Weight-Compensating Bracket

    The weight-compensating design of our face shield bracket is unique in that the position of the bracket centers the weight of the face shield above the head when in the stowed position, minimizing the weight imbalance felt from traditional face shields.

    Another benefit is that they are ideal for working in tight or confined spaces due to the adjusted pivot point of the bracket. This design prevents the end of the face shield from extending past the front of the safety helmet and brings the shield closer to the top of the safety helmet when stowed, allowing for a more compact profile

    Weight Compensating Bracket

    Safety Helmet Compatibility

    With the transition from traditional safety helmets to climbing-style safety helmets, comes a greater financial investment. Traditional safety helmets are relatively affordable, typically costing between $10 to $50. Climbing safety helmets typically cost well over $100. To make the most of this investment it is important to outfit your climbing helmet with accessories that enhance its performance and can withstand your working conditions.

    Our face shields are designed to be compatible not only with most of the major slotted cap safety helmet brands, but also with the major climbing style safety helmet brands, like Kask® and Petzl®. Currently, the only face shields available for these types of helmets are proprietary to the specific brand, and most are not designed for extreme industrial applications. Our face shields are not only compatible with these helmets, but available models for applications such as electrical arc flash protection, chemical splash, radiant heat from molten metal, welding, and more.

    Press-to-Release Adapters for Easy Shield Removal

    To further maximize your investment, we have designed our weight-compensating brackets with a press-to-release feature that simplifies removal. Typically, these types of adapters have been difficult to remove, making it cumbersome to alternate accessories. The press-to-release feature makes our face shields ideal for dynamic applications in which the wearer may perform several operations (i.e. welding, electrical work, etc.).

    Using new slotted adapters, our simplified removal method allows the user to quickly and easily switch out face protection to accommodate the task at hand — from welding shields to arc flash protection, users have more options with Paulson face shields.

    Accessories

    As part of our new weight-compensating face shield product line, Paulson Manufacturing offers face protection accessories for many popular climbing-style safety helmet brands, including:

    • Clear, polycarbonate face shields for impact resistance in industrial work
    • Shaded face shields for gas welding and cutting
    • Cobalt blue face shields for protection against glare from molten steel
    • Gold face shields for radiant heat reflection

    Learn More About our New Brackets

    For 75 years, Paulson Manufacturing has been a leading supplier of critical face and eye protection solutions for industrial professionals and first responders. We strive to provide accessible, reliable, and convenient shielding solutions to our customers while prioritizing comfort, quality, and safety. To learn more about our weight-compensating face shields and accessories, contact us today.

  2. 5 Ways to Maximize Your Investment in Personal Protective Equipment

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    Personal protective equipment (PPE) will vary greatly on the specific job, type of protection needed, and any applicable safety regulations. Some of the more common types of PPE include hardhats, gloves, safety glasses, face shields & masks, protective suits & hoods, and ear plugs. In many cases, PPE is often considered to be a last line of defense against the various safety hazards found in the workplace. For example, proper PPE could very well mean the difference between life and death for an electrical worker in the event of an arc flash. In other circumstances, PPE is the first line of defense. For example, in many steel mills, a worker might not even be able to perform their job unless they are protected from the extreme radiant heat emitting from the molten metal. Whether it’s protecting against hazards that are constantly present, or protecting against an unforeseen accident, PPE is a critical part of developing a culture of health and safety in the workplace.

    Providing adequate PPE is not only a worthwhile investment in the safety of your employees, but, in most cases, required by government regulatory agencies, such as OSHA. With that said, let’s discuss 5 ways you can maximize your investment in PPE.

    1. Choose Reputable PPE Manufacturers & Suppliers

    In the beginning stages of sourcing PPE, it’s a good idea to do your homework on the best manufacturers and/or suppliers of the PPE that you need. The term “best” will vary depending on your specific criteria, but typically, you’d want a supplier that has been in business for an extended period, has a good reputation in the industry, and that has advanced knowledge in materials science and safety standards specific to your industry. They should also have a readily available customer support staff to answer any questions you might have. It’s also critical that the PPE being manufactured is designed to the performance specifications of that industry. For example, face and eye PPE needs to, at minimum, meet the specifications of ANSI Z87.1.

    6 Key Factors

    2. Ensure Your PPE Supply Chain is Reliable

    Protection for the worker should always be the top priority when choosing a PPE supplier. However, the next priority on the list should be the availability of the PPE needed. A particular manufacturer might make the greatest widget in the world, but this means nothing if you can’t get the product, or at least get it in a timely manner. Workers across the globe depend on the availability of PPE not just for their safety, but to remain in regulatory compliance. In general, it’s best to go with a supplier with an established distribution network, flexible shipping options, and readily available supply. For U.S.-based workers, it’s also a good idea to choose PPE that is made in the U.S.A. Not only will this ensure high quality products, but you can avoid some of supply chain issues associated with overseas shipping.

    3. Choose PPE that is Built to Last

    For industrial buyers, cost is often the driving factor in determining where to source your PPE. This is especially true during periods of high inflation and rising prices. While it’s tempting to choose PPE that is the least expensive, it’s a good idea to weigh the short-term vs. long-term costs. Many times, the cheapest PPE will need to be replaced at a higher frequency than PPE that costs more. Therefore, even though you’re initially saving money, over the course of months or years, you may find yourself paying more for replacing cheaper PPE more often than more durable PPE that might have a higher upfront cost.

    5 Key Factors

    4. Clean, Maintain and Protect Your PPE

    In many working environments, PPE is disposable, and meant for use only for a single shift (or less) before needing to be discarded. An example of this would be nitrile gloves, masks, and disposable face shields used by medical professionals. However, PPE for severe industrial applications is designed to hold up to the rigors of the job and shouldn’t have to be replaced all the time. This of course will depend on frequency of use, temperature & UV exposure, and nature of the work being performed, among other factors. In order to extend the service life of your PPE, almost all manufacturers will recommend regular cleaning and maintenance, and most will provide instructions on how to do this. In addition to cleaning, which is the process of removing dirt, oil, and debris to keep your PPE in good working order, it’s also advisable to sanitize your PPE to prevent the spread of germs. This is especially a good idea if multiple workers will be sharing the same PPE.

    5. Foster and Develop a Strong Safety Culture

    One of the biggest challenges that safety managers face is non-compliance of workers who choose not to wear their PPE. This can be driven by multiple factors, including lack of training, complacency, or the perception that PPE is uncomfortable and unnecessary. In order to influence change in this behavior, it’s imperative that companies develop and foster and culture of safety that permeates throughout the organization, from the CEO to the frontline worker. When safety is at the forefront of everything you do, PPE becomes a natural (and necessary) part of the overall equation. It’s also a good idea to develop strong partnerships with your PPE suppliers so that you may stay in the know about advancements in not just safety, but also things like comfort, lightweight and breathable materials, and freedom of movement for the worker. When workers are more comfortable in their PPE, they’re more likely to wear it, which not only drives regulatory compliance, but also enhances your overall safety culture.

    Paulson Mfg. is an industry leader in manufacturing world-class face and eye protection for industrial workers and first responders. We proudly manufacture our products in Temecula, CA, using U.S.-based raw materials. If you’d like to learn more about how we can maximize your investment in face and eye PPE, please contact us today.

  3. High Heat Face Shields Overview

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    High heat face shields are an essential piece of personal protective equipment used to protect the eyes and face from exposure to extreme levels of heat. Polycarbonate is the base material for most high heat face shields, offering numerous benefits such as high impact and temperature resistance. However, since polycarbonate has a heat distortion temperature of 265 °F, it must be combined with other materials to provide adequate protection from high heat conditions such as extreme radiant heat and electrical arc flash.

    High Heat Face Shields: Industry Applications & Materials

    High heat face shields are used in various working environments to protect workers from extreme heat conditions. Two common hazards that high heat face shields protect against are extreme radiant heat from molten metal, and the potentially devastating blast of an electric arc flash.

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    High Heat Face Shields Overview

    Extreme Radiant Heat

    Mill and foundry workers, such as those working in steel mills, aluminum mills, glass blowing facilities, etc., are continuously exposed to high levels of radiant heat. Workers in this field melt materials to produce various components, which requires extremely high temperatures. For example, steel melts at 2,000 °F, aluminum melts at 1,200 °F, and titanium melts at 3,000 °F. The radiant heat coming from these molten materials can seriously burn the face or even kill the workers, making it critical to wear protective face shields.

    In addition to the radiant heat, face shields also protect the wearer from infrared heat and light present in molten material environments. Infrared heat and light can’t be felt or seen, but without adequate protection, it can essentially “cook” a worker’s eyeballs.

    Radiant Heat Face Shield Materials

    As previously mentioned, polycarbonate is the base material for all face shields. However, on its own, polycarbonate will begin to warp when exposed to temperatures higher than 265 °F. To ensure our face shields hold up in extreme radiant heat environments, Paulson Manufacturing adds protective materials such as:

    • Gold coatings. Gold coatings are designed to optimize visible light transmittance (VLT) while also blocking extreme radiant heat to protect wearers. For our gold heat shields, we apply a gold coating with 99.99% gold particles on an 0.060’’ thick injection-molded polycarbonate base. Most often, the polycarbonate base is clear, but it is also available in green as well as various welding shades to meet the needs of different environments. To protect the actual gold coating, we also apply a silicone-based protective hard coating.
    • Aluminized film. Aluminized film heat face shields offer an economical alternative to gold-coated shields. Rather than an injection-molded polycarbonate base, these are made using 0.040’’ thick clear polycarbonate sheets which are die-cut to size. The aluminized film is then laminated onto the flat polycarbonate sheet. Although this option is less durable and will have to be replaced more frequently, it can still block up to 2,000 °F of radiant heat at half the price of gold shields.

    Arc Flash

    The industrial electrical industry can pose serious risks of arc flash exposure to workers. An electrical arc flash is essentially a “short circuit” through the air, caused by low-impedance connections between the air and the ground or a particular voltage phase within the electrical system. With enough energy, these arcs can continue to grow, rising in temperature until the host system evaporates, melts, or trips.

    Compared to radiant heat applications where the worker is exposed to high heat conditions for extended periods, an arc flash is instantaneous and can generate temperatures up to 35,000° F, which is four times hotter than the surface of the sun. Arc-rated face shields can protect electrical workers from the effects of an arc flash, including extreme heat, electrical burns, nerve and vision damage, and more. These shields must meet NFPA 70E electrical safety standards, which outline crucial guidelines for job-site dangers and high-risk electrical environments, such as those exposed to an arc flash.

    Arc-Rated Face Shield Materials

    Because the conditions of an arc flash are much different than the radiant heat found in a molten metal facility, electrical workers require a different type of protection. Similar to heat reflective face shields, our arc-rated shields have an injection-molded polycarbonate base. However, rather than gold coatings or aluminized films, they feature a proprietary nanoparticle formulation designed to absorb the black body radiation from an arc flash. We compound a nanoparticle blend into the polycarbonate, which is then injection molded to produce face shields with the nanoparticles infused into the polycarbonate resin.

    The nanoparticles absorb the energy from the arc flash, which creates a black carbon layer on the shield. This carbon layer is what protects the worker from being burned. Our arc-rated face shields also include anti-fog coatings on the inside as well as hard coatings on the outside to protect against abrasion and assist in arc energy absorption.

    Source Your High Heat Face Shields From Paulson Manufacturing

    Workers exposed to extreme radiant heat and arc flash hazards require high-performance, quality heat-resistant face shields to protect against burns and other injuries. At Paulson Manufacturing, we are a world leader in safety protective gear, including radiant heat and arc-rated face shields. Using quality materials and coatings, we deliver high heat face shields that not only provide adequate protection but also comply with strict industry standards, including ANSI Z87.1 for face and eye protection.

    For more information about our heat face shields or other PPE solutions, contact us or request a quote today.

  4. Intro to Plastic Injection Mold Making

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    As a vertically integrated company, Paulson Mfg. handles almost all production processes in-house. Everything – from product conception & design, 3D printing & prototyping, injection molding, CNC machining, assembly, and packaging & labeling – all done under one roof. In addition to manufacturing the products themselves, we also make the injection molds that make the products. Not only does this help us maintain a rigorous quality control system in accordance with ISO 9001 but gives us flexibility in offering innovative engineering solutions.

    Plastic injection molds are typically constructed from hardened or heat-treated steel or aluminum. Steel molds cost more but are often preferred because of their high durability. Hardened steel molds are heat treated after machining, and they are by far superior in terms of wear resistance and lifespan. In fact, many steel molds are designed to process well over a million parts during their lifetime. For this reason, most injection molds made by Paulson Mfg. are constructed from hardened steel. 

     

    Plastic Injection Mold Cavity Core / Core Cavity

    Plastic Injection Mold Design

    Plastic injection molds consist of two halves – the cavity and the core.

    The cavity is the void inside the mold that the molten plastic fills. Plastic enters through a “sprue” or “gate” on the cavity side and forms the final shape of the part.

    The core is usually the interior of the part and contains the ejection mechanism that pushes the completed part out of the mold. Molds are typically designed so that the molded part remains on the core half of the mold when it opens. 

     

    How are Plastic Injection Molds Made?

    There are two primary methods for constructing a mold – computer numerical control (CNC) machining and electrical discharge machining (EDM).

     

    CNC injection mold making processCNC Machining

    CNC machining for constructing a mold is typically an automated process utilizing machining and cutting equipment that follows computer-programmed instructions to shape the mold into specified dimensions. CNC systems translate in-depth design files into programmable instructions that CNC machines read and execute. Product design engineers create a precise, virtual product design using computer-aided design (CAD) software that specifies every construction detail.

    Once the CAD design is complete, tooling engineers can translate the CAD using computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software to produce instructions the CNC hardware can understand. The resulting commands are then uploaded into the CNC machine and, utilizing the proper cutting tools, precise cuts are made into the metal to the exact specifications of the product design. The majority of CNC cutting tools utilized by Paulson Mfg. are Vertical Machining Centers (VMC), which feature vertically oriented spindles that approach the mold from above. Other common cutting tools include lathes, mills, and drill presses.

     

    EDM Injection Mold Machine

    Electrical Discharge Machining

    Like laser cutting, EDM does not require or use mechanical force to cut into the metal. Rather, it utilizes an electrode, typically made of graphite, which is mounted in an EDM machine and positioned over the mold submerged in a dielectric fluid.

    The electrode is then lowered to the mold, and using a controlled electrical source, destroys and disperses the metal in the area opposite of the electrode, all while never touching the mold. Despite typically being a slower method, the EDM process can produce shapes that are not possible with conventional CNC machining.

     

    Precision Mold Making from Paulson Manufacturing

    As a manufacturer of world-class PPE designed for hazardous and/or life-threatening situations, Paulson understands the importance of quality and precision in producing our products. Designing and constructing the injection molds that make our products is an essential part of our production process and helps us ensure a level of protection for our customers that is second to none. To learn more about our injection mold making expertise, please contact us today.

     

  5. Paulson Heat Reflective Face Shields: What You Need to Know

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    Paulson Heat Reflective Face Shields: What You Need to Know

    Workers across many industries require adequate protection from various hazards. Metalized heat reflective face shields offer a protective solution for the facial area, protecting the face and eyes from harmful extreme radiant heat, UV light, and infrared (IR) heat & light.

    What Materials are Used in Our Heat Reflective Face Shields?

    Paulson metalized heat reflective face shields incorporate one of the following two materials:

    Gold

    Gold is unique for its ability to reflect light while allowing visible light to pass through. Its characteristic yellow hue is right in the middle of the luminous spectrum that the human eye is capable of seeing. The visible light spectrum passes through the  gold coating more easily than the longer red and shorter blue wavelengths of the visible spectrum, resulting in a high level of visible light transmission (VLT).

    These same IR-blocking properties also give gold heat-blocking characteristics. The amount of heat flux an energy source radiates depends on its temperature and mass. For example, a larger casting pot containing molten metal at 1,500° F radiates more energy than a smaller crucible of metal at 2,000° F. Because heat mostly radiates through the IR spectrum, it can be reflected by gold coatings.

    Aluminized Film

    Aluminized face shields provide almost the same amount of heat-shielding as gold in most cases, but at a more affordable price point. Our aluminized heat reflective face shields are made of polycarbonate with an aluminized surface. Although only available with a clear base resin, aluminized face shields offer a more cost-effective alternative to gold face shields in applications where durability is less of a concern.

     

    What are Some of the Various Types of Reflective Face Shields Paulson Manufactures?

    At Paulson, we offer the following types of metalized heat reflective face shields:

    • Gold Hard Coated Clear Shields. Designed for high-heat mill and foundry operations, our gold hard coated clear shields are made with injection-molded clear polycarbonate face shield with 99.99% gold and protective hard coating on the exterior. Popular models include: IM14-GHC12F, IM20-GHC6F and IM22-GHC6F.
    • Gold Hard Coated Green Face Shields. For brighter conditions that require more reduction in visible light, we offer gold hard coated medium green face shields. These injection molded green polycarbonate shields feature the same gold hard coating as the gold coated clear shields. Popular models include: IM13-GHC8FM, IM20-GHC6FM and IM20-XGHC6FD.
    • Aluminized Face Shields. Our aluminized heat reflective face shields are made by carefully laminating aluminized film onto flat clear polycarbonate material. Our S72-L4HR and S73-L4HR aluminized face shields have a universal hole pattern to adapt to a wide range of headgear and cap & hat brackets. Ideal for “lower temp” high heat applications such as aluminum casting or glass blowing. Typically cost about half as much as our gold hard coated shields.
    • QuickView™ Flip-Front Face Shields: For dynamic work environments, the QuickView™ enables the worker to easily flip the gold hard coated front visor up or down as needed, while still having the impact protection of a clear polycarbonate full face shield underneath. This product can be easily attached to a face shield and cap bracket, with gold hard coated front visors available in 4 inch and 6 inch lengths.

    Why Should You Choose Paulson Manufacturing for Your Heat Reflective Face Shield Needs?

    For 75 years, Paulson Manufacturing has built a reputation for designing and providing high-performance PPE solutions for the most demanding work environments. With the highest quality material, backed by our longstanding commitment to advanced materials science and innovation, our gold harc coated and aluminized high heat reflective face shields meet all relevant industry standards, including ANSI Z87.1+. We can also produce these heat reflective face shields with different tints and other features to meet your specific needs. 

    Heat Reflective Face Shields from Paulson Manufacturing

    Paulson Manufacturing proudly advances worker safety with reliable, high-quality heat reflective face shields. To learn more about our products, contact us today. We are eager to serve you and your company by ensuring the safety, comfort and efficiency of your employees with our long-lasting and industry-leading PPE solutions.

  6. Paulson Manufacturing Celebrates 75 Years of Safety

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    It’s hard to believe that 2022 marks 75 years in business for Paulson Manufacturing. What started with one man and an idea conceived on the battlefield during WWII has evolved into a world-class manufacturer of face & eye protection for industrial workers and first responders around the globe. Since 1947, we’ve been making our products right here in our facility in Temecula, CA. A lot has obviously changed over the years. One thing that has remained constant is our commitment to innovation. This has been at our core since the very beginning when we produced one product – the iconic Bubble Goggle.

     

    bubble goggles

     

    Every Company has an Origin Story. This is Ours.

    While fighting in World War II, our founder, Tom Paulson, thought he and his fellow soldiers needed better eye protection from the sand being kicked up as they stormed beaches in the Pacific Theatre. From this premise, Tom envisioned a basic goggle that would protect against debris while providing clear peripheral vision. After the war, Tom went home to Racine, Wisconsin, and he and his family packed up and moved to where Tom did his basic training for the Army – sunny Southern California. Upon settling in Temecula in 1947, Paulson Manufacturing Corp. was born, with the Bubble Goggle as the first item produced.

     

    Initially, the Bubble Goggle was not marketed toward industrial workers or first responders, but rather as a promo for … Kellog’s cereal! Marketed as the “Tom Corbett Space Cadet Goggle,” children could send in two cereal box proofs of purchase, plus $0.25, and would receive the goggles by mail. Unfortunately, this promo did not have the wild success Mr. Paulson had hoped for. However, there was an unintended consequence of these goggles being sold as a cereal promo item. Parents started to take an interest in the goggles their children were receiving. That interest soon spread to what would become a rabid fanbase of the Bubble Goggle – stock car & motorcycle racers and racing enthusiasts. Paulson quickly pivoted to cater to this market, and in a short amount of time, the Bubble Goggle became a mainstay in the motor racing community and would remain so for decades to come. Shortly after, we developed the Bubble Visor for motorcycle helmets, and Paulson’s reputation among the racing community spread even further.

     

    bubble visor

     

    Notable Milestones & Events in Our Company’s History 

    factory

    • Early 1960s: First injection molding machines are installed in the factory
    • Mid-1980s: Contracted by the U.S. Navy to develop a gold hard coated face shield for aircraft rescue & firefighting (ARFF). This technology was soon applied to our heat reflective face shields for industrial workers in the molten metal industry.
    • Late 1980s: Factory operations system is computerized
    • Early 1990s: Tom Paulson’s son, Roy Paulson, transitions from V.P. to CEO of the company, and shifts our company focus primarily to make products for industrial workers and first responders. Roy Paulson remains CEO to this day.
    • 1990s – Early 2000s: Contracted by the U.S. Army for 12 years to perform R&D work. This led to the development of the DK5 and DK6 series of riot face shield solutions for ballistic combat helmets.
    • Late 1990s – Early 2000s: Performed extensive R&D to develop arc flash face shields for electrical safety, with the first face shields selling commercially by the turn of the 21st century.
    • 2004: Paulson International is established in Frankfurt, Germany, and we begin to sell our products to a global market. All production continues to remain at our Temecula, CA facility.
    • 2009 – 2016: CEO Roy Paulson sits on the President’s Export Council under the Obama Administration, positioning Paulson Mfg. as an expert in global trade.
    • 2016: Paulson officially discontinues its Sports product line, ending the production of such products as the Bubble Goggle, motorcycle helmet visors and paintball goggles.
    • 2020: In response to COVID-19, Paulson produces 2 million disposable infectious disease control (IDC) face shields & goggles per month. These IDC items were used by frontline healthcare workers and first responders throughout the U.S. during the COVID crisis.

     

    Paulson International: U.S.-Made Products with a Global Reach

    Since 2004, Paulson International, the international sales entity of Paulson Manufacturing, has distributed our high-quality products to the entire world by a globally acting network of authorized distributors. Represented in over 70 countries with over 250 authorized distributors, the headquarters and warehouse of Paulson International are in Frankfurt, Germany.

     

    Paulson Manufacturing Today: Advanced Materials Science Drives Innovation

    Today, Paulson Manufacturing continues to be at the forefront of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible in the development of next-gen safety gear. A great example of this is the integration of nanoparticles into our arc flash face shields. Through extensive study and careful manipulation of these particles, Paulson has developed specialized nanomaterials with unique properties, resulting in arc flash face shields with better impact and UV light resistance, evenly distributed particles for better energy absorption, and enhanced reliability. For the electrical worker, this means better protective gear that is comfortable to wear and provides a level of protection that is second to none.

     

    Unparalleled Protection in the Face of Danger

    From our humble beginnings with the Bubble Goggle, through the ups and downs over the decades (including a fire at the factory in 1991!), all the way to the present day, Paulson Manufacturing has stayed true to our credo of “Quality Products to Protect People.” The industrial workers and first responders around the globe that use our products face potentially life-threatening hazards every day while on the job. While they serve us and our way of life, we serve them by producing the highest quality protective gear in the industry. Here’s to the next 75 years of safety!

    Please contact us today for further information on our company or the products we make.

  7. Why Laser Protection is Important for Crowd Control Situations

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    Tactical officers often encounter dangerous, high-impact situations as part of the lifesaving jobs they perform. Equipment constructed for tactical purposes must withstand the extreme environmental hazards of emergency medical operations, forced entries, victim extractions, and rescue operations. This is no different for riot control officers, who deal with any number of hazards during a riot or civil unrest situation.

    Following the 2020 riots in Portland, OR., deputy director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli reported that federal officers protecting a courthouse sustained a total of 113 eye injuries due to protestors armed with lasers. Lasers also prevent officers from looking directly at the beams to apprehend the perpetrators. The officers recovered, but not after suffering from temporary blindness or flash blindness—a blind spot that prevents someone from seeing their entire field of vision. This incident demonstrates why it’s important that tactical professionals have laser protection.

    Why are Lasers Used in Protests and Large Crowd Situations?

    Protesters use lasers for various reasons, including:

    • Flash blinding: Temporary flash blinding effectively distracts authorities from seeing the people in front of them, including those pointing the lasers at them.
    • Targeting counter protesters: Laser pointers can also target counter protesters with the intent to blind or distract them. During the March 2021 protests in Salem, Ore., police stated that protesters aimed lasers at cars driven by counter protesters.
    • Disabling camera sensors: Camera sensors can also be flash blinded. During the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, protesters used lasers to disable cameras utilizing facial recognition technology.
    • Attracting attention: Projecting lasers on crowds, helicopters, or buildings is a way to gain the attention of onlookers or stimulate a crowd. Often no harm is intended, but lasers may incite protestors against authorities.

    What are the Benefits of Paulson Tactical Laser Shields?

    laser shield

    Paulson tactical laser shields defend users from lasers and high-intensity strobe lights. Quick flashing strobe lights can cause the brain to take a moment to adjust to visual stimuli. Sometimes called flicker vertigo or the Bucha effect, it gives users time to subdue or evade officers.

    To understand the disorienting effects of strobing, we need to understand how humans process visual information. The eye’s lens focuses on the image using the retina, a collection of photoreceptors or light-perceiving cells. The image is converted into electrical impulses and sent to the visual cortex via the optic nerve, which interprets the impulses as an image. The brain has a limited frequency range under which it can process visual information. If information comes in faster than the brain can process it—between 7 to 15 hertz—the brain can become overwhelmed and incapacitate the person.

    In the development of our Tactical Laser Shield line, we considered multiple critical factors. First, there are many different colors of laser pointers, so our laser shields must protect against the full spectrum of colors. Second, visibility is critical, especially since many riots tend to be a “nighttime activity.” That said, we needed to make sure the shields protect against laser beams while providing optimal visibility. Third, high intensity light protection is also critical, as many assailants use strobe lights to disorient officers. There are all important factors to consider, and the end-result is a laser protection product unlike anything else on the market.

    Our Tactical Laser shield line consists of protective shields designed to attach to both Paulson’s line of riot face shields and riot body shields. Utilizing a riveted hook and loop attachment system, the laser shields can be easily attached and removed. The laser shields that attach to riot face shields are 3 inches in length, while the models for riot body shields are 6 inches in length.

    Riot shield

    Other features of our Tactical Laser Shield line include:

    • Meets ANSI Z136 for laser protection.
    • Designed to reduce the dazzle effect of red, green, blue, violet, and other colors of laser pointers up to a rating of 3R for an exposure time of 1/4th of a second.
    • Available reflective models reflect 70% of the laser energy back toward the source.
    • Reduces 95% of high intensity light and steady strobe beams.
    • Designed to allow a small percentage of laser to pass through the shield, enabling the user to identify the source of the laser while not being harmed.

    Why Should You Choose Paulson Tactical Laser Shields?

    Paulson Manufacturing Corp. is a world leader in transparent eye and face protection for first responders and industrial workers. Our core purpose is to provide safety and protection for our customers in their critical line of work. We fulfill this mission by designing and manufacturing the most reliable and high-quality protective gear in the industry.

    Our tactical PPE and safety equipment comply with national & international standards as well as military specifications. We test and certify our equipment to ensure in compliance. Paulson designs, manufactures, and distributes products to a global market.

    Contact us to learn more about laser & high intensity light protection shields.

  8. An Introduction to Arc Flash PPE Categories in NFPA 70E

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    Arc flash personal protective equipment (PPE) plays an essential role in protecting electrical workers from dangerous accidental arc flash events. Individuals that work in environments with various electrical hazards must be adequately trained in the use and application of electrical PPE, such as hard hats, ear protectors, face shields, insulated rubber gloves, and more. All PPE worn in these environments must adhere to the standards set forth by NFPA 70E to ensure optimal protection from potential electrical arc flashes.

    The type of PPE required depends on the incident energy level, or arc rating, within a work area. Generally, a higher rating means it requires higher levels of protection. Here, we will go over the four main categories of arc flash PPE to help you determine which is right for your needs.

     

    arc flash

    PPE Category 1: Minimum Arc Rating 4 cal/cm2

    PPE Category 1 is the lowest level that requires arc-rated PPE. This category only requires a single layer of PPE that typically includes the following:

     

    • Arc-Rated (AR) long-sleeved shirt and pants or bodysuit with a 4 cal/cm2 minimum arc rating
    • Arc flash suit hood or AR face shield with wraparound guarding
    • AR jackets, rainwear, hard had liners, and parkas as needed

     

    PPE Category 2: Minimum Arc Rating 8 cal/cm2

    PPE Category 2 likely requires only a single layer of AR PPE. In many situations, companies that require Category 1 PPE opt for Category 2 PPE so that they meet both requirements. Since Category 2 PPE is comparable in comfort to Category 1, it makes more sense to choose Category 2 clothing.

     

    Required Category 2 PPE includes:

     

    • AR long-sleeved shirt and pants or coveralls with an 8 cal/cm2 minimum arc rating
    • AR face shield or flash suit hood with a sock hood or balaclava
    • AR jackets, parkas, rainwear, and hard had liners as needed

     

    PPE Category 3: Minimum Arc Rating 25 cal/cm2

    PPE Category 3 protection requires additional layers of protective clothing. Flash suit hoods are a standard requirement as well as AR heavy-duty insulated rubber gloves and leather protectors for the gloves

     

    Required Category 3 PPE includes:

     

    • AR flash suit jacket and pants or coveralls with a 25 cal/cm2 minimum arc rating
    • AR flash suit hood
    • AR rubber insulating gloves and leather protectors
    • AR jackets, parkas, rainwear, and hard hat liners as needed

     

    PPE Category 4: Minimum Arc Rating 40 cal/cm2

    PPE Category 4 currently represents the highest level of compliance, with arc ratings going above 40 cal/cm2. This category requires additional layers of clothing and typically includes:

     

    • AR flash suit jacket and pants or AR coveralls with a minimum arc rating of 40 cal/cm2
    • AR flash suit hood
    • Rubber insulating gloves, leather protectors, and AR gloves
    • AR jackets, rainwear, parkas, and hard hat liners as needed

     

     

    Discover the Best Safety Equipment from Paulson Manufacturing

    The NFPA 70E exists so that you don’t have to make the wrong decisions when choosing arc flash and flame retardant PPE. An arc flash risk assessment should precede every decision, as it will help you learn which category of PPE you require for your work environment.

    At Paulson Manufacturing, we provide electrical PPE and industrial protection gear that meets the highest safety standards. Contact us to learn more about our arc flash PPE and other products.

  9. The Paulson Rundown: Flip-Front Face Shields 101

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    At Paulson Mfg., we pride ourselves as experts in the field of transparent face & eye protection for industrial workers. Over the years and decades, we have developed and produced face shields for a wide variety of severe industrial applications, including arc flash protection, radiant heat protection and chemical splash protection, as well as general protection from impact and debris.

    However, there are many industrial work environments that are dynamic in nature, and a worker may need several different types of face protection within a single shift. For example, a shipbuilder might be machining or grinding one minute, and welding the next. A steelworker might need the high visibility of a clear face shield for some applications, and the radiant heat protection of a gold coated face shield for other applications. Dynamic work environments like these were the driving force behind the development of our QuickView™ line of flip-front face shields.

    Flip-Front Outer Face Shield - 6

     

    QuickView™ Flip-Front Face Shields: An Overview

    The concept behind the QuickView™ line of flip-front face shields is simple—provide a base clear face shield for general protection and high visibility and attach an outer flip-front shield that can be deployed for specific tasks such as gas cutting & welding or molten metal operations. The type and size of outer-flip-front shield will depend on the task being performed.

     

    The QuickView™ line of flip-front face shields for dynamic work environments contain 3 basic elements—the clear polycarbonate base face shield, a flip-front outer face shield attachment and cap bracket to attach to a hardhat. These are available in the following varieties:

    The Paulson Rundown
    The clear base face shield is made from durable polycarbonate, which performs excellent against both high temperature and high impact hazards. Each shield is injection molded to shape, allowing for optimal durability and superior optics.

    The gold flip-front face shield attachments are for protection against extreme radiant heat commonly found in molten metal facilities. Many of these facilities tend to be somewhat dark inside. The base face shield offers great visibility when needed, while the gold outer shield can be deployed when facing a furnace or other heat source.

    The shade 3 & 5 green flip-front face shield attachments are for gas cutting & welding applications, while the shade 5 cobalt blue attachment provides excellent eye protection from the bright “sodium line” produced by molten metal slag.Flip-Front Face Shield

     

    Innovation in Face Protection

    Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Paulson Mfg. We are known across the globe for our commitment to extensive R&D, materials science, and customer-driven PPE solutions. The QuickView™ line of flip-front face shields is a great example of this innovation, as it considers the fluid nature of many industrial applications where a worker may need multiple types of face protection in a single shift. For more information, please contact us today.

  10. GORE-TEX Professional Fabrics & Paulson Mfg.: Leaders in Arc Flash Safety Pt. 3 of 3

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    Pt. 3 of 3: Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® Fabric Technology

     

    In our first installment of this 3-part series, we discussed some of the key trends the electrical PPE market, and how GORE-TEX Professional Fabrics & Paulson Mfg. employ advanced technology to improve electrical PPE. Arc flash suits that are lighter weight and more breathable, and face shields that provide enhanced visibility are examples of these improvements and this is driven heavily by feedback from the end-users.

    In the second installment, we discussed the specific technology used in Paulson’s next-gen arc flash face shields.

    For our third and final installment of this series, we’ll take an in-depth look at the technology behind Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® Fabrics, specifically the next-gen single-layer 40-cal suit.

    40 cal suit

    Need in the Marketplace for a Lighter, More Comfortable 40-cal Suit

    Performing tasks exposed to high incident energy with a risk of arc incidents of up to 40 cal/cm² is often physically demanding and requires highly reliable personal protective equipment. The standard compliant 40-cal (CAT 4 NFPA70E / CSA Z462) switchgear suit needed to protect electrical workers are often heavy and based on multi-ply fabric systems. The multi-ply fabric switch suits result in bulkier solutions that lead to restricted freedom of movement and discomfort. This discomfort leads to less wearer acceptance and reduces likelihood to wear the PPE properly.

    Following intensive research and development, and combining proprietary technologies, GORE-TEX Professional has developed the only single-ply CAT 4 (40 cal/cm²) and lightest weight (less than 10 oz/yd²) functional fabric for designing the new Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® suit. High arc protection and the benefits of lightweight, high breathability, and freedom of movement are incorporated into all garment elements. With this innovation from GORE®, electrical consultants, contractors, and electrical and instrumentation (E&I) technicians exposed to arc incidents up to 40 cal/cm² no longer must compromise protection over comfort.

     

    The Science Behind Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® 40-cal Suit

    The Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® fabric technology used in 40-cal switchgear suits consists of four main functional components engineered into a durable single-ply material that interact with each other.

    These components consist of:

    1. Nylon Outer Shell: Brings the benefits of the versatile nylon material, such as easiness to dye into different colors, color fastness, tensile strength, and excellent abrasion and wear resistance.

     

    1. Protective GORE® PYRAD® Fabric Technology: Made up of countless little reactive dots, this breakthrough technology is self-extinguishing. This adds inherent and durable heat, flame, and arc-resistant properties to non-flame retardant textiles such as nylon, while leveraging properties that have traditionally been difficult to achieve with conventional FR textiles.

     

    1. GORE® ePTFE Membrane: The highly breathable and thermally stable GORE® ePTFE membrane provides the required strength, flexibility and mechanical integrity at extremely light weight and thickness.

     

    1. Flame-Retardant Backer: This textile provides thermal stability, reduce burn caused by heat transfer and contributes to optimize the wearing comfort.

     

    Integrating these four key components has produced fabric technology with a unique structure that incorporates air pockets between the layers. This enhances both thermal protection and wearing comfort.

    gore single ply

    How Does this Fabric Technology React to an Arc Flash?

    During an arc flash exposure, GORE® PYRAD® fabric technology (dots) rapidly reacts to the heat even before the outer shell starts to burn. The reaction of the dots causes them to expand by a magnitude of more than 10x higher than its original size. This forms a stable insulating protective shell of carbonaceous char, with the face fabric (without melting or dripping) blocking the heat transfer to skin, stopping flame propagation, and blocking heat flow from the arc flash exposure. As an additional protective mechanism, the air pockets between GORE® ePTFE membrane and flame-retardant backer expand by adding more air to form an additional insulating layer that blocks heat transfer to the skin. After arc exposure, the fabric exhibits best-in-class mechanical integrity with no hole formation to the innermost layer.

    Key Features & Benefits to the End-User

    Based on rigorous scientific testing, the Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® 40-cal suit has been developed with real-work situations in mind, so that hard-working professionals in challenging environments can stay protected, and simply focus on their important work.

    Compared to multi-layer switchgear suits, the key benefits for wearers of garments made of the single-ply Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® Fabric include:

    • High arc protection
    • High freedom of movement
    • Light weight
    • Reduced bulk
    • High breathability
    • Protection against Incidental flame exposure

    The fabric technology provides a reliable protection above and beyond ASTM F1506 requirements with an arc rating ≥40 cal/cm² (ATPV), allowing fabric elements of the switchgear suit to with NFPA 70E (USA) and CSA Z462 (Canada) CAT 4. It is also up to 20% lighter than competitive products, allowing for a thin, less bulky, yet robust garment with easy donning and doffing. The unique fabric structure not only enables high levels of protection against thermal hazards but allows for more functional garment designs with a high freedom of movement that wearers can feel.

    The material used in the Arc Rated GORE® PYRAD® 40-cal suit is a very breathable fabric that keeps the wearers dry and comfortable on the inside while performing highly physical tasks without compromising thermal protection required in case of an electric arc flash incident.

    To learn more about the rest of standard compliance of this new fabric technology visit the GORE-TEX Professional Website here: https://www.goretexprofessional.com/technologies/gore-pyrad/work-wear-arc-rated-garments-40-cal-suit

    Leaders in Arc Flash Safety

    This wraps up our 3-part series on the latest innovations in arc flash protection fabrics from GORE-TEX Professional Fabrics and next-gen arc flash face protection from Paulson Mfg. To learn more, please contact us today.