Are uniforms considered PPE? (A comprehensive guide)

Can uniforms be considered PPE? As you might already guess, the answer is yes and no, depending on the specification of the garments that make up the uniform and the industry in which you are working.

Read on to find out more…

The role of uniforms

By creating a cohesive, professional appearance for employees of a particular organisation, a uniform serves as a powerful visual representation of its brand identity and values.

Uniformed staff are more easily identifiable as working for your business and this instils greater confidence in customers and clients that they can be trusted and will act with integrity.

Uniting individuals and teams under a strong collective identity within the workplace fosters a sense of belonging and professional solidarity. In some industries – such as healthcare for example – this can extend beyond individual workplaces to contribute to a broader sense of identity within a profession.

What is PPE?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to garments and accessories worn to shield the wearer against injury or illness caused by specific hazards such as chemicals, physical impacts, sharp objects, airborne particles and electrostatic discharge.

Examples of PPE include safety gloves, goggles, hard hats, hi vis clothing and safety boots.

Genuine PPE must conform to rigorous safety standards that tell the wearer exactly what level of protection they can rely on, enabling them and their employer to make informed decisions around risk in the workplace.

It should be comfortable and fit well, as well as be comprised of durable materials that withstand high levels of use or wear without degradation.

Are uniforms considered PPE?

In some industries, it has become normal practice to wear specialised uniforms that combine aesthetics and collective identity with practical considerations around protection from hazards. These include construction, manufacturing, food service, healthcare and the emergency services.

This has obvious advantages from a brand point of view and can encourage the wearing of PPE among employees who might otherwise choose not to do so.

What’s more, in effectively branding the PPE they offer to their teams, employers can create a cost-effective solution that not only ensures employee safety but strengthens team spirit and enhances workplace culture.

Uniforms as PPE: Good practice guidelines

When it comes to branded PPE and uniforms as PPE, it is important to remember that the goal of PPE is to provide physical protection against specific hazards. Any uniform purporting to provide protection against those hazards can only be classed as PPE if it meets the same rigorous, documented standards as its non-branded equivalents.

It is also worth remembering that PPE manufacture is grounded in science and engineering. High quality materials and established construction techniques are used to ensure durability and long-term resistance against hazards. Meanwhile, ergonomic design elements ensure the comfortable and secure fit needed to maintain protection and encourage wear.

And so, in order to be considered as PPE, uniforms must:

• Adhere to the relevant safety standards
• Be durable, providing long-term resistance against workplace hazards
• Be designed for comfort as well as protection
• Come in a variety of sizes and/or with adjustable straps to ensure good fit
  
  

Disadvantages of uniforms as PPE

While there are many advantages to combining the benefits of a uniform and those of PPE in one all-encompassing solution, there are also some disadvantages.

One of these is the cost of cleaning and maintenance. Cleaning uniforms with integrated protective properties can be challenging and may require specialist laundering, which can be expensive.

The dual purpose of any items may also make employees reluctant to seek replacements in the event of them becoming damaged or showing signs of wear and tear, or to add additional, generic ‘top-up’ PPE if required.

To counteract this, employers should provide education and training for their teams on the purpose and limitations of their uniform as PPE, as well as how to take care of it, when and how to seek replacement items, and when to wear additional PPE.

For further advice on branded workwear and PPE give our team a call on +44 121 749 4433. To review of our extensive stocked workwear ranges, visit our online store..