The majority of the protection offered by safety wear comes from the choice of protective fabric. But it’s one thing to select the fabric. It must also be designed, cared for and maintained so that it can continue to offer the level of protection you selected it for. In this blog, we discuss a range of supplementary factors alongside protection that are helpful to consider when selecting and rolling out a new protective fabric.
Design of the product
When designing the garment, prioritising its fit on the wearer is essential. PPE is personal: it must be comfortable and customisable for the wearer. At the same time, it must be fit for purpose, and designed to be the right product for the purpose it is being employed for. When working with the garment maker to develop a design for the garment, it is vital to aim for a design that strikes a balance between comfort and protection. The more comfortable the garment, the higher the likelihood that it will be worn properly. And the higher the likelihood that is worn properly, then the ultimate aim of the garment — to keep the wearer safe and protected — is more likely to be met.
Teaching and training around the garment
Your protective solution must be looked after properly so that it can continue to serve the purpose it was selected for. Once a new garment has been designed and rolled out, it is vital that employers take time with wearers to go through proper usage and care of the garment. Employers should ensure employees feel confident around the following areas of working with their garments:
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How long the garment should be worn
- How regularly the garment should be cleaned
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How to protect the garment, eg proper storage protocols
- How frequently the garment should be rotated, eg daily or weekly
- What else should be worn with the garment so that it can serve its fullest purpose: eg boots, helmet
Maintenance and laundry
Having your garment professionally cared for and maintained at an industrial laundry allows for professionals to check that it is still in accordance with safety norms, and therefore, serving the purpose that it was designed for. This may include elements such as the garment’s chemical repellancy, high visibility, and durability. Just as the wearer must comply with specific instructions on how to care for their garment, industrial laundries will know the ideal wash programme for laundering the garment so that it maintains its protective qualities — including parameters such as detergents, time, and load. Laundries will also perform a quality check to filter damage to garments and repair these straight away, ensuring maximum longevity for the garment.
Factors that work hand-in-hand
Ultimately, while each of the factors listed above are important to consider when selecting your protective fabric, it is crucial that equal emphasis is placed across all of them. For instance, placing too much emphasis on design — particularly in terms of comfort — and not as much on maintenance and laundry, may reduce the protective qualities and overall lifetime of the garment. While comfort is undeniably important to the wearer, so is lifecycle, and having a garment that remains in good condition for longer. Considering design, care and maintenance as factors that go hand-in-hand when engaging in the decision-making process will ultimately set you up for a protective solution that will go the distance in the long-term.
Want to learn more about selecting the right protective fabric for your needs?
Why not talk to us about Proclaud®? This free protective clothing audit takes the stress out of decision-making by delivering a custom set of solutions informed by your department’s unique needs, wants and budget. Click here to get in touch .
