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05 January 2021

Boiler Suits vs. Overalls vs. Coveralls: What’s The Difference?

Buying the right personal protective equipment is one of the first steps to creating an efficient supply chain for your business. In a world where we’re spoiled for choice, it may be difficult to know where to begin and what you should be looking for. From boiler suits, to coveralls and overalls, there are many options to consider. Each has its own unique benefits, and will help you decide what is best for your operations in particular. So what are the differences between the three types of PPE we’ve just mentioned? Let’s dig into this a little bit today. 

Boiler Suits

Boiler suits are loose fitting garments that are meant to cover most of the body. The material is designed to cover everything but the head, feet and hands, which will need additional PPE depending on business operations. The main purpose of these suits is to keep the wearer safe from potential spills and unwanted dirt. These are designed for comfort, and are relatively easy to move around in. Wearers are able to concentrate on their specific tasks, without having to worry about anything damaging their skin or clothes.

Overalls

Similarly to boiler suits, overalls are also designed to protect the wearer from spills and splatters. They are designed slightly differently from boiler suits in that they are essentially trousers with an attached bib and shoulder straps. A key distinction is that they aren’t designed to protect the arms, which is the case with boiler suits and coveralls. A major benefit to overalls is that they are lightweight and easy to maneuver around in. They are more commonly seen in low-risk environments, and wouldn’t typically be used when dealing with chemicals for instance, as the risk of injury through spillage onto the open areas is far greater.

Coveralls

Coveralls are like an upgraded version of overalls, designed to be worn as a full body protection suit. This type of PPE is worn on top of personal clothing and covers the entire body. We’ve already mentioned that boiler suits and overalls have gaps in terms of the areas they protect. As coveralls offer a more comprehensive protective solution, they are great in many work environments, but can take some time to get used to maneuvering in, even though they are generally loose fitting. From chemical, to mechanical, biological and other uses, coveralls are widely seen in various industries across South Africa. 

Buying The Right Personal Protective Equipment For Your Business

Whether you’re looking for coveralls, overalls, boiler suits or a combination of all three, knowing where to go to get a good deal can make a world of difference to the bottom line of your business. G.Fox not only offers a wide catalogue of choices, but also has you covered for the additional PPE needed to offer protection for the exposed areas from any of the suits mentioned today. From shields, to gloves, head covers, respirators and more, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better catalogue to choose from, and be happy to hear that they offer nationwide delivery in South Africa.

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