Leading-up to selecting new protective clothing, finding objective information on solutions in the market is difficult. Industrial laundries and garment makers can provide advice on new PPE, but in this case, it pays off to go straight to the source. Here are 4 ways a protective fabrics manufacturer can provide you with the information you need to choose the best protective clothing.
Win #1: Get in-depth knowledge of the latest protective clothing trends
When you work directly with a fabric supplier, you harness the full power of their marketing and R&D teams. It’s their job to keep their finger on the industry’s pulse, identifying key trends in the market before you hear about them yourself. For example, one of the latest industry trends fabric suppliers are picking up on is advanced comfort. The sports and leisurewear industry is raising the bar on comfort by creating lighter, more breathable fabrics that allow the wearer more freedom of movement. Your workers will want this type of comfort but, it’s up to you to still provide full protection from any potential hazards.
Win #2: Get your basics right
At the end of the day, your protective workwear’s compliance with safety standards, durability, and performance all depends on the quality of the fabric it’s made from. Since the fabric also determines the specific specs of your protective garments, it can be smart to collaborate directly with a protective fabric supplier. The main benefit of working with a supplier with a broad portfolio like TenCate Protective Fabrics, for instance, is that you won’t be offered one standard collection or solution. The supplier will help you choose the right technology for a tailor-made solution that meets your exact needs. With their links throughout the whole protective clothing value chain, they’re also able to help you find the right garment maker to partner with.
Win #3: Audit your current solution
You’ve been told it’s time to select new protective clothing, but making a start on the selection process can feel overwhelming for any busy health and safety manager. Instead of copy-pasting specs from your last selection several years ago, ask a fabric supplier to help you perform a protective clothing audit on your current solution. You’ll get a third-party perspective on the actual risks at each of your workstations, in addition to valuable insights from your workers who wear the garments every day. Armed with this information, you’ll be able to make a data-driven and up-to-date choice for the best protective clothing solution.
Win #4: Test your options for performance
The number of options can feel overwhelming when you’re shopping for new fabrics or garments. It takes time, technical expertise, and testing facilities to thoroughly compare the options side-by-side — none of which you may have. A good fabric supplier will offer all three of these to you.
Simplify the selection process for yourself
One thing’s for sure: your company has specific preferences, wishes, and needs. Talking directly to a protective fabrics supplier is your best bet to translate these requirements into a product that will keep your workers protected and happy for years to come.
