Skanwear, which provides a diverse selection of arc and flame protective clothing, warns that there are a number of areas that businesses need to consider when investing in PPE garments to ensure they reduce risks as much as possible.
Angus Long, MD of Skanwear, explains: “The first area that businesses need to look at is the level of protection that PPE provides, that is, after all, why it is worn.
“PPE should be rigorously tested to demonstrate that it can withstand tough conditions that may occur in the workplace. The rate of protection that’s needed depends on the worker’s environment, for example, power stations, overhead lines, or wind turbines.
“Trusted sellers and PPE brands are open about the standard that their garments meet, clearly displaying them for you to see. The level of protection needed will depend on the work employees are undertaking but you need to make sure you meet minimum standards set out.”
Long continues: “On top of protection, you should also be considering other areas such as durability, to ensure you receive value for money, and comfort. While comfort might be further down on the list, it’s important. Uncomfortable or ill-fitting PPE will be more frequently discarded by employees leaving them open to risks.
“For modern workforces, it’s become increasingly vital that they work with PPE suppliers that cater to both men and women to deliver the correct garments that maximise protection and consider comfort.
“Modern PPE is far more effective than it was decades ago. It’s much lighter, more flexible, and there’s a much wider choice. However, when investing in PPE, businesses do still need to consider how well employees will be able to do the job with all the equipment on.”