Skanwear Reveal What Businesses Need to Consider When Investing in PPE Garments

Leading PPE provider Skanwear is urging businesses to ensure that their personal protective equipment (PPE) ticks all the boxes before they make a purchase, warning that failure to do so could increase risks in the workplace.

Whether being used on-site or by contractors, arc and fire resistant PPE provides essential protection for members of staff that are working in dangerous environments. Skanwear, which provides a diverse selection of arc and flame protective clothing, explains 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, Managing Director of Skanwear, said, “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.

“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.”

Another key consideration that purchasing managers need to think about is the type of tasks that workers will be completing when wearing PPE garments. Some choices, for example, can hinder performance or present new safety risks as a result.

Long also adds, “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.”

To find out more visit skanwear.com/.