The Role of Workwear In Preventing Workplace Injuries

Often, when we think of workwear, we can think of smart uniforms and business branding, but it can perform a much more important role than this.

Many workwear items are actually designed to protect the person wearing them from accidents and injuries that might occur while they are at work. In this article, Core Workwear, specialists in embroidered workwear look at the key role that workwear can play in preventing workplace injuries.

Visibility

One cause of injuries at work can be through people not being seen in difficult conditions. Whether they are working outside or within a warehouse, it can sometimes be hard to spot people unless they are wearing the appropriate high visibility clothing. This can lead to accidents, especially when there are vehicles or machinery around.

High-vis workwear can play a big part in preventing this, as the neon green, orange or yellow is easily visible, even from a distance. Most high-vis workwear also includes reflective strips, ensuring that light such as headlights will reflect back at the source and make the wearer visible in low light conditions. This can therefore be incredibly effective in helping to reduce accidents and injuries.

Weather protection

We all know that the British weather is capable of throwing all four seasons at us in one day, and for those who work outdoors, this can be difficult to cope with. Workwear must therefore offer adequate protection from the weather, including being waterproof and offering thermal warmth.

Foot protection

The feet and the toes are particularly vulnerable to injuries from impacts, crushing and piercing, and so safety footwear is essential.

These heavy-duty boots are made of durable materials and often have reinforced toe caps to protect from the injuries that might be caused by heavy equipment or falling objects.

Some will even offer insulation against electrical currents to help prevent the risk of electric shocks and slip-resistant soles can offer a firmer grip on wet or slippery surfaces in an effort to reduce slips and falls.

Chemical protection

Injuries can also occur from the handling of hazardous chemicals and so specialist workwear is important. Goggles and gloves can help to protect the wearer from splashes and spills than may lead to burns or severe reactions, whilst masks can prevent the wearer from inhaling toxic fumes. Aprons, tabards or lab coats can also help to protect against spills on the body.

Gloves

There are many different types of gloves that can act as injury prevention methods. There are hard wearing gloves for moving heavy items that can both improve grip and protect against scratches, grazes and splinters. Some protective gloves are heat resistant whilst others prevent chemical spills and can be used in a wide range of environments.

Compliance

Providing workwear that protects against injury is not just good for your employees, it also helps to ensure that your business complies with all relevant health and safety regulations. This can be a big step towards best practice and can ensure that everyone is able to do their jobs with the peace of mind that they are protected as well as they can be.

Protective workwear is essential in many different roles, so it is important that this is on offer to all staff who need it.

By protecting against injuries that may occur at work, you will have a happier and more confident workforce, and you can avoid costly compensation claims and long-term absences caused by accidents at work that could so easily have been avoided. Investing in protective workwear is investing in your staff, but you must also make sure that it is kept in good condition and replaced, when necessary, in order to be effective.