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Search 28 October 2022
Aprons and Body Protection Guide:
How to Choose the Best Bodywear to Protect Your Employees
As a result of the pandemic, employee safety has become even more important than it was before. Workers are expecting additional measures to make sure they can do their jobs without putting their health at risk. Bodywear offers protection across different roles in different industries depending on the needs of the wearer. With the right PPE in tow, employers are able to have peace of mind about safety, with a reduced risk of injury to the team members too. If you’re wondering about how to choose the best protective bodywear based on the needs of your company, we’ll be diving into all of this and more in this detailed guide today.
Why is Body PPE Important in the Workplace?
Body PPE is essential in any workplace as it helps to prevent workers from serious injuries or illness. Depending on the industry and role, this can come from anything from close contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical and other hazards in the workplace. Mindful of a requirement to make sure the team is well taken care of, no matter which department they are in, you’ll be able to set things in motion to amp up the safety side of operations. This is a great way to motivate the team, showing them that you value their health no matter the danger levels of the tasks they participate in on any given day.
Starting the Process
Choosing the best bodywear requires an assessment of the specific needs within the business. Each link in the supply chain should be covered, with detailed mapping of the potential risks that might emerge during the course of a work day. An airtight safety policy is integral to any company, and perhaps even a requirement depending on the industry of operations. Regardless of this, an assessment to “gather the facts” and create a roadmap for introducing body protection to its full potential is a good starting point to build on. A safety office can handle the logistics, so be sure to appoint one before starting the review process.
Second Opinions Count
When figuring out what the best course of action is related to buying new bodywear, it helps to get a second opinion from the teams that will be wearing the PPE regularly. If the company is too large to interview individual people, a short survey should do the trick. Alternatively, talking to department heads about the needs of their teams is a good way to cover all bases and give voice to all the links in the supply chain. The safety officer could work with HR to coordinate this, with interview questions being set up in advance to make sure the process leads to the specific information needed to make smart buying decisions later.
The Right Materials for the Right Needs
Bodywear comes in many different types, including aprons, vests, overalls and more. Having a grip on the different types is only half of the battle. Exploring the right materials or fabrics is integral too as the wrong choice may not offer full protection to the wearer. A flammable material is not going to withstand high temperatures, for example. Chemicals may also react in different ways to different types of materials. This is where the finer details make a big difference. By paying attention to these before choosing which way to go, it’s possible to reduce the risk of injury to as low as possible. Cover all your bases rather than landing in a bad situation later.
How Practical is Bodywear PPE?
In combination with durability and comfort, bodywear should always be practical as well. If the wearer isn’t able to do their daily tasks efficiently, there might be a problem with the option they are wearing. Many companies are quick to skimp on comfort in order to have more practical fits, but in the long run this doesn’t offer the worker with a good experience day-to-day. The key is to find a balance between these, while also considering whether the garment is durable enough not to compromise safety across a range of different tasks.
A Long-Term View to Protect Your Employees
Taking care of the wellbeing of the team means adopting a wider scope for employee protection at all stages. This requires employers to go above and beyond only considering PPE when it comes to their safety policies. Regular audits, quality checks, maintenance and engagement with teams is integral to maintaining a workforce that is confident and comfortable with getting their tasks done. The right safety officer will come in with this understanding from day one. If your current one doesn’t think this way, it might be worth exploring a replacement in the near future, or discussing this with them in order to change the intentions behind the role.
Challenging the Status Quo
Many companies are quick to only cover the basics when it comes to employee protection. We need more leaders standing up and taking stock of the wellbeing of their teams in all ways possible. Making sure that all boxes are ticked in terms of industry regulations is one thing. Encouraging less absenteeism and a high rate of worker retention is something else entirely. By taking a stand, as you’re perhaps doing by reading this article, you’re able to set in motion a different way of thinking about employee protection. Be the exception – with enough people thinking this way, it may well become the norm in the near future.
Aprons, Body Protection and More
Gone are the days of having to put employee safety squarely on the soldiers of the internal team. From aprons to other forms of body PPE, the G.Fox team is here to help you find the best options based on the needs of your operations. In collaboration with us, it’s possible to elevate your PPE offerings in a way that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. Reach out to us if you have any questions about the different types we offer to the market. We’re also adding to our catalogue regularly, so keep an eye on new releases and specials on the G.Fox website too.
