University of Kentucky graduates Stacy Klausing and Suzie Dabbain are leading personal protective equipment testing and quality control initiatives at ArcWear, a division of Kinectrics headquartered in Louisville, helping to ensure the safety of workers across multiple industries including firefighting and electrical work.

Both alumni of the Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles program at the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Klausing and Dabbain work with teams of textile and engineering experts to oversee rigorous testing standards for flame-resistant and arc-rated protective gear.

Dabbain, a junior project manager and quality specialist at Kinectrics, assists in leading textile and PPE projects while consulting with manufacturers on technical specifications. "We do head-to-toe testing, which includes helmets, gloves, right down to the boots you are wearing," Dabbain said. "What many probably don't realize is the firefighter turnout gear or the clothes an electrician is wearing must meet rigorous performance standards."

Klausing, senior project manager, assists the company's global client base in creating effective PPE test plans. "Workers with flame and electric arc hazards have important roles," Klausing said. "The work we do here is all performed with the end goal of keeping these workers safe and comfortable and getting them back home to their families safely."

Both completed their graduate thesis work at the UK Textile Testing Lab under the direction of professor Elizabeth Easter, Ph.D., who founded the lab in 1988. Klausing researched firefighter turnout gear while Dabbain focused on evaluating reusable Level 2 isolation gowns for healthcare workers.

The testing lab, housed in the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management, provides hands-on research experience for students and funds graduate research assistants to solve real-world industry problems. ArcWear, now part of Kinectrics, operates an ISO 17025-accredited facility conducting arc flash testing, flame testing, thermal testing and cut testing for PPE manufacturers worldwide.

For Klausing, the opportunity to advance PPE safety while based in Kentucky is significant. "We are so thrilled to improve communities and keep people safe, and we are really proud to be right here in Kentucky," she said. "Our work is a different and unique way to contribute to our communities."