The basics and types of protective workwear
Workwear is essential for anyone who works in a professional or labour-intensive environment. Every organisation must have specific guidelines defining their employees’ workwear. Most organisations or businesses invest significantly in workwear for a better environment and the safety of their employees, particularly those working in hazardous fields. Various types of protective workwear are available, depending on the kind of work the company performs.
The first step toward ensuring the safety and protection of your workforce is to ensure that you understand the importance of workplace safety and how to implement it practically to add rather than detract from or complicate productivity.
Why do you need protective workwear?
Protective workwear is required for any job to ensure workers’ or employees’ health and safety. As a result, employers must provide protective workwear for a better work environment.
All organisations must emphasize the significance of protective workwear. Depending on your job, these garments and equipment protect sensitive areas like the head, eyes, feet, and skin. For example, hard hats provide head protection for those working on construction sites. To protect their eyes and faces, those working in the welding industry should wear safety goggles, face shields, and spectacles. These are just some of the many protective workwear components required to protect employees from accidents or substances that could cause fatal health effects.
Any other industry with hazards like chemicals, noise, dust, heavy objects, hot surfaces, etc., must provide protective workwear to their employees. People can be protected by protective workwear from chemicals, injuries, heat, and accidents.
Advantages of protective workwear
Injury prevention: Injuries are common in any workplace. Fortunately, protective workwear protects workers from head injuries, eye injuries, hand injuries, leg injuries, etc. Common industries that may cause harm include welding, construction, woodworking, metalworking, and mining. As a result, protective workwear is essential to keep workers safe.
Respiratory disease protection: Many professions require employees to be exposed to toxic smoke and gases. In such cases, respiratory masks can protect them from dust particles and dangerous gases.
Employee identification: Many professions require using heavy machinery and working at night. Protective workwear like high-visibility vests makes them visible to others working in the same area.
Types of protective workwear
Organisations provide their employees with various types of protective workwear for their safety, depending on the work and environment. These are some of the most important types of protective workwear.
Coveralls
These are one-piece suits created to keep dirt and dust off the body. However, it is now considered protective workwear for various job environments. This type of clothing has been improved using multiple technologies, and it currently serves as a safety barrier between workers and potentially hazardous substances.
Basic coveralls are popular among mechanics and tradespeople because they provide long-lasting protection against dirt, grime, sparks, and other hazards. In addition, basic protective coveralls are the industry standard due to their durability, versatility, and comfort.
Some jobs do not require the thick layer of protection that traditional coveralls provide. Disposable overalls are ideal for jobs that require a barrier against dirt, grime, paint, or lint on your clothes.
When working around electricity, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your clothing will protect you. Because of their special fabric, arc-resistant protective workwear and overalls or Conti suits protect workers from electric shock.
Waterproof coveralls protect workers from the hazards of their job and the elements. Comfortable workers can concentrate on their work while keeping themselves and those around them safe.
High visibility clothing
If your job requires you to work in a dimly lit environment or at night, you must wear high-visibility clothing. For example, people who work on the roadside, in traffic enforcement, or mines must wear visible clothing like high-visibility vests, jackets, or other clothing that makes them visible to others.
Hi-vis coveralls keep workers visible in high-traffic areas without requiring another layer of clothing that could get caught up in their work. This adds a level of convenience to safety, making it easier for your employees to stay safe.
A jacket is one of the most common types of high-visibility clothing. It provides the same benefits as other hi-vis clothing while covering more skin surface area. Some options include built-in pockets for storing your phone or other small items. A vest is a good alternative if you prefer less coverage, particularly on the arms. High visibility t-shirts are comfortable and provide a sense of security at work. For increased visibility, pair the shirt with a good pair of high-visibility pants with reflective tape.
Fire resistant clothing
One of the most dangerous factors in any workplace is fire. Those who work in an environment where there is a risk of fire, arc flashes, and other hazards must be safe. As a result, electricians, people who work with flammable materials, and firefighters must wear fire-resistant clothing. This kind of protective workwear is safe, comfortable, breathable, and flexible, making workers’ jobs easier.
If you or your employees are at risk from fire, fire retardant coveralls can save their lives. However, remember that fire retardant does not imply fireproof, so exercise caution when working near a flame or sparks.
The flame-retardant fabric has been treated with flame-retardant (FR) products like aluminium, magnesium, boron, red phosphorus, and nitrogen. These materials interrupt the combustion cycle and slow heat transfer to the fabric. In addition, the flame-retardant fabric can “expire” because there is an exact number of washes the garment’s intact flame-retardant properties are insured for. The fire-retardant properties gradually deteriorate after this number.
When a fabric is inherently flame-retardant, it does not require any treatment because it is made of naturally flame-retardant fibres. As a result, the flame-resistant properties do not deteriorate even after maintenance and washing. It is free of potentially toxic substances and can be washed at home because it has not undergone surface fixing treatments.
Why choose Procon for protective workwear?
Buying protective workwear online is the best way to shop for workwear. If you want to purchase workwear clothing online, you should begin with Procon. We’ve been supplying workwear to the private and public sectors in South Africa for many years, and you can rely on us to deliver on time, every time.
Our protective workwear ranges are of exceptional quality and value. Once you’ve purchased protective workwear from Procon, you’ll never go anywhere else. Working with a team of professionals knowledgeable of their industry allows you to rely on outstanding service excellence.
Whatever you’re looking for in terms of protective workwear or PPE, we can make the process as simple as possible. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality workwear clothing to any industry that demands the best for its workforce. Furthermore, we will advise you on the best options for branding your protective workwear.
Trust Procon with all your protective workwear needs. Nothing could be easier than shopping for protective workwear online in South Africa, where you can save time and money, knowing you’re in the best hands in the industry.
On construction projects, roadworks, and other high-risk industries, you want to ensure your workforce is protected with high-quality protective workwear. Our full range of unisex protective workwear has everything you could possibly need, from head to toe.
Contact Procon Marketing for details
Of course, these are just a few of the many different types of protective workwear on the market today. The clothing you wear will be entirely determined by the industry in which you work. Therefore, it is worthwhile to work with a reputable supplier who can assess your company’s needs and provide you with professional advice on which type of clothing will best suit your requirements.
Overall, protective workwear provides a safe and secure environment, saves money, and provides uniformity. As a result, it is recommended that all business organisations provide their employees with protective workwear. There is no room for error when it comes to keeping your team safe on the job with protective clothing. In addition, working with seasoned manufacturers and reputable suppliers ensures you get the best value for money possible.
Procon provides high-quality protective workwear. Contact our team today for more information about our protective workwear offers. Alternatively, please browse our website to find the right solution for your needs.