Take a journey with us celebrating some of NASCO’s firsts!

1985

NASCO was the first rainwear manufacturer to start using seam tape to waterproof seams.

Before this, the process to waterproof seams was very arduous and labor-intensive. Seams would be painted with a sealant to make them waterproof. It was less precise, had more variability, and did not look good. NASCO had a machine built that would use heat and pressure to apply a film with constant width, uniform thickness, and greater durability. Today, NASCO continues to utilize this same process with more modern and technological advanced equipment.

 

1986

NASCO was the first rainwear manufacturer to begin to heat seal reflective trim on rainwear.

This replaced the counterproductive method of stitching on reflective trim, which would then have to be waterproofed. By heat sealing the reflective trim, the waterproof characteristics of the material would not be compromised. Additionally, it was more efficient and less labor-intensive. Today, NASCO applies more than 500,000 yards of reflective materials on our rainwear.

 

1988

NASCO was the first rainwear manufacturer to make a rain suit to protect against an electric arc flash.

Working in partnership with Duke Energy, NASCO developed a rain suit that would not ignite when exposed to an electric arc flash. With Duke Energy conducting tests, it was learned of the importance of keeping synthetic materials away from the skin. The industry as a whole learned a great deal from these early experiments.

This work by Duke Energy played a significant role in OSHA’s 1910.269 rule prohibiting materials that could ignite, melt, and drip from being used by utility linemen.

 

1993

NASCO was the first rainwear manufacturer to make a rain suit utilizing DuPont’s Nomex® material.

This was the first time an inherently flame-resistant material was used in a rain suit allowing unlimited laundering without fear of washing out the flame retardant treatment. This product created the foundation of NASCO’s industry-leading ArcWear line of electric arc protective products.

 

1996

NASCO was the first rainwear manufacturer to make a rain suit with DuPont’s blend of Nomex® and Kevlar.

This was a significant development as the ability to make the product lighter weight, yet increase the durability was achieved. This led to the introduction of NASCO’s ArcLite product, which, still today, is the first choice of utility linemen across the country.

 

1996

NASCO was the first rainwear manufacturer to begin testing products to the ASTM F1959 electric arc test method.

This testing, although expensive, was the key to understanding how different materials performed and how controlling variables in the test created mixed results. This enabled NASCO to develop more advanced materials and to know how work methods impacted worker’s risks as well as how to protect them.

 

2008

NASCO was the first rainwear manufacturer to develop a breathable rain suit that was electric arc protective as well as meet the Hi-Vis requirements.

Before this, rain suits could be breathable and arc protective or Hi-Vis and arc protective. NASCO developed the first that joined all these important attributes. With the increase in traffic zone fatalities by utility linemen, it was essential to protect them from multiple hazards at the same time. Today, linemen across the country are safe and comfortable.

 

2017

NASCO was the first rainwear manufacturer to develop a rain suit that would protect against steam and hot liquids.

As the number of burn injuries from steam and hot liquids increasing, rainwear was sought to provide the solution. While it was easy to find rainwear to protect against liquid, hot liquids and steam were more difficult. NASCO’s PetroStorm product was just the answer the oil and gas industry needed for worker protection.