Hand protection is designed to guard against a wide range of hazards, including: cuts and abrasions, extreme temperatures, skin irritation and dermatitis, and contact with toxic or corrosive substances.
Gloves are one of the best ways to protect your hands against injuries. There are many types of gloves that are designed to protect your hands. Metal-mesh gloves resist sharp edges and prevent cuts. Leather gloves shield your hands from rough surfaces.
Care
Gloves should be inspected for signs of degradation or puncture before use.
Disposable gloves should be changed when there is any sign of contamination. Reusable gloves should be washed frequently if used for an extended period of time.
Before removing them, wash the outside of the glove. To avoid accidental skin exposure, remove the first glove by grasping the cuff and peeling the glove off the hand so that the glove is inside out the wash hands with soap and water.
Click our logo below to view our Mammoth range of Safety Gloves
Finding the right products is essential in maintaining the health and safety of your work force. Mammoth workwear supply a comprehensive range of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to keep your employees safe in all work environments at all times.
EN ISO 20345 Safety Footwear is designed to ensure that dropped tools, upturned nails, and slippery surfaces are less likely to cause injury whilst working. Composite or steel safety hardware in the toes and the midsoles helps shield the feet from impact and puncture with toecaps being tested to standards which allow them to withstand up to 200Kj of impact pressure in event of an accident. Safety Footwear also comes with a number excellent safety benefits, such as providing slip resistance, antistatic protection and a variety of other practical features.
EN ISO 11611 Welding & Allied Processes Protection – the main focus of welding clothing and EN ISO 11611 compliant workwear is the head, face, eyes, ears and hands, although it is important to also protect your body, legs and feet. EN ISO 11611 compliant workwear can be coveralls, or other garments, and is best used alongside the appropriate gloves and specialist welding masks.
EN ISO 20471 Hi-Visibility Work Clothing will increase the visual presence of the wearer, making them more noticeable to other workers and pedestrians, both at day and night time. In the day, the fluorescent fabric is eye catching, making the wearer instantly more visible. In low light conditions and at night, the reflective stripes of the product will reflect light and appear illuminated.
EN343 Foul Weather Clothing conforms to the EN 343 standard, and is designed to prevent water penetration. Ideal for those working in offshore environments, and other job roles where workers will be subjected to the elements. Waterproof clothing can come in a variety of styles, from waders and over trousers, to jackets and head gear.
EN397 Industrial use Safety Helmets are tested against a number of factors to ensure their EN 397 rating. They are tested against impacts and penetration, as well as their ability to resist flames. When tested for impact and penetration resistance, this test is performed twice – at 50c and -10c. This ensures your PPE is effective in extreme conditions.
EN 352 Hearing Protection – Working on sites where noises exceed acceptable levels will damage the hearing of workers if they’re not outfitted with the correct level of EN 352 protection. When noise levels exceed 80dB then workers can request the use of protective hearing products. In any workplace where sound levels exceed 87dB then it is compulsory to provide protective measures.
EN 166 Eye Protection is the main protective standard which encompasses eye and face protection in the workplace. To determine the overall rating of eyewear, factors such as the optical class, mechanical strength and their fields of use are taken into consideration.
EN 388Hand Protection is the overall general requirement to which all professional gloves are attributed to. The type of glove and the level of protection needed will vary depending on your job role, with most gloves for industrial uses being tested to EN388 – the standard for gloves which protect against mechanical risks. These are tested on factors such as cut, puncture and abrasion resistance.
EN 342 Cold Protection clothing is suitable for workers in cold store environments, and those who work outdoors in colder climates. EN 342 cold protection is measured on three factors – the level of thermal insulation, air permeability, and their resistance to water penetration, although this attribute is optional.
EN 381 Chainsaw Clothing & Accessories encompasses the overall standards for products designed to protect the wearer whilst operating a chainsaw. In addition to protecting against the chainsaw itself, accessories like gloves will help reduce the onset of other conditions; such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (Commonly referred to as “vibration white finger”).
EN 149 Respiratory Protection will protect the wearer from the inhalation of airborne particles such as sawdust, fibreglass and asbestos. The level of protection and what each individual mask actively protects against varies. A typical dust mask will offer protection against most regular types of dust, however to ensure protection against chemicals and dangerous substances such as asbestos, a half or full face fitted mask is more versatile as you can tailor their usage with filters to adapt to your working environment.
EN 1149-5 Electrostatic Protection is the European standard for any protective clothing which is designed to reduce the risk of sudden electrostatic discharges in hazardous environments. Environments such as refineries, and any job role which deals with electrical components or petrochemicals will benefit greatly from Electrostatic Protective clothing. This should be worn over any exposed fabric, and anything attached to the fabric should never be removed, such as pictograms, labels and similar features.
EN 361 Fall Arrest products will provide safety to workers when operating at heights. Harnesses, lanyards and all related accessories are combined to create a safe and effective safety measure for workers. Used in the correct manner they will help prevent falls, and reduce incidents on site. Stringent quality processes are adhered to throughout the ISO9001:2015 manufacturing process to ensure that only quality componentry is utilised in the production of these life critical products.
To mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a new report, putting a global spotlight on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation – two forces rapidly redefining how we protect health and safety across all sectors. The ILO’s report, titled ‘Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work’, has detailed both the opportunities and challenges posed by emerging technologies. You can read the report by CLICKING HERE
To browse our range of PPE Workwear and Accessories click our logo
Wearing the correct Safety footwear is essential when working in an environment that requires safety from potential hazards such as a contruction site or a factory.
Safety footwear is meticulously tested to ensure that they comply with EN ISO 20345 as a minimum safety standard for safety footwear. Safety boots have additional safety features, including steel toe-caps, anti-penetration midsoles, and slip-resistant sole units.
Protecting your feet can help prevent injuries from falling objects or compression and can be worn throughout the working day. Your safety footwear should be inspected every time they are being worn, to look for any damage such as holes, dirt and buckles. When not being worn safety footwear should be cleaned and stored in a clean, dry space.
Footwear certification explained:-
In addition to the minimum level of protection covered by EN ISO 20345, there are various additional safety features that your footwear may offer.
Rating
Meaning
SB
Safety Basic, conformant to EN ISO 20345
SBP
As SB, with the addition of midsole penetration protection
S1
As SB, with the addition of a closed energy absorbing seat region, anti-static properties and resistance to fuel & oils
S1P
As S1, with the addition of midsole penetration protection
S2
As S1, with protection against water penetration and absorption resistance
S3
As S2, with the addition of midsole penetration protection
S4
As S1, moulded entirely from polymer/rubber. Leak-proof & waterproof.
S5
As S4, with the addition of midsole penetration protection
In many working environments it is also vital to wear footwear that will prevent you from slipping on flooring. The certifications and explanations for these classifications is below:
Abbreviation
Meaning
SRA
Tested on ceramic tile wetted with sodium lauryl sulphate (a diluted soap solution)
SRB
Test on steel with glycerol
SRC
Tested under both SRA & SRC conditions
You can learn more about slip resistant footwear by visiting the HSE website here
Click on our logo below to view our full range of Safety Footwear.
If your working outside in cold weather it can take its toll on your body. Working in unforgiving environments, loss of, and excess exposure to heat can cause serious problems so it is always important to regulate your body temperature with base layer underwear.
The primary purpose of a base layer, or thermal underwear set, is to wick moisture away from the skin and keep you dry and comfortable regardless of the weather. Our range includes flame protected men’s base layers and long johns that can be combined with other garments in our flame collection to protect you from the inside and out.
In workplaces where you’re in colder environments, thermal base layers can provide an essential second skin, giving you an additional insulation layer which will help your body retain heat. For warmer conditions, there are base layer underwear garments which are engineered in a way which draws excess moisture you produce away from your body, and increases airflow around the garment, which in turn helps to keep you cool when you need it the most.
You can check out our range of Base Layer Work Clothing by clicking on our logo below.
Our range of Technical Safety Fall Arrest Safety Equipment has been designed to protect workers from falls and other hazards when working at heights. Stringent quality processes are adhered to throughout the ISO9001:2015 manufacturing process to ensure that only quality componentry is utilised in the production of these life critical products. The high tenacity polyester yarns are highly resistant to UV, and have been subjected to colour stability and wash abrasion testing.
There is a wide range of possible damage to fall arrest equipment caused by misuse and abuse, general wear and tear, edge/surface damage, ultraviolet light, dirt, grit, chemicals and heat. Fall arrest equipment that has been used to arrest a fall should never be reused. It should be withdrawn from service immediately and destroyed or returned to the manufacturer.
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require employers to maintain fall arrest equipment which is exposed to conditions causing deterioration should be inspected ‘at least twelve monthly’ although more frequent inspections is highly recommended.
You can view the HSE guide on inspecting webbing and rope fall arrest equipment by CLICKING HERE
Equipment should be checked before use and regular inspections should be fully documented. Even minor safety harness defects can cause a significant reduction to the performance of fall arrest gear, for example a one millimetre deep nick or cut in the edge of a webbing lanyard can result in between 5 to 39 per cent loss of strength. Ingress of dirt and UV can also cause damage to the fibres of the webbing, resulting in a similar loss of strength.
What Damage/Degradation Should I Look For?
Defects that can weaken Lanyards include.
Abrasion along the lanyard’s edges.
Abrasion to webbing and loops.
Cuts and nicks in ropes and stitching.
Knot in lanyards that are not part of the original product’s design.
Chemical Degradation
Observed by a change in colour which usually appears as a brownish smear or smudge. Transverse cracks appear when belt is bent over tight. This causes a loss of elasticity in the belt. Paint will penetrate and dry, restricting movements of fibres. Drying agents and solvents in some paints will appear as chemical damage.
UV Degradation
Do not store webbing and rope lanyards in direct sunlight, because ultraviolet rays can reduce the strength of some material.
Damage from Friction and Heat
Nylon becomes brittle and may appear shrivelled and brown. Fibres will break when flexed and should not be used above 82 degrees Celsius. Webbing and rope strands may be fused together by molten metal or flame. Watch for hard, shiny spots or a hard and brittle feel. Webbing will not support combustion, but nylon will.
How Should my Fall Protection Equipment be Stored?
You can prolong the life of your safety equipment by maintaining and storing all components correctly. All safety components should be stored away from direct sunlight, in a secure area which is also free from corrosive materials.
Should I Clean my Fall Protection Equipment?
Cleaning your fall protection equipment will also prolong its life, so it is always important to remove all dirt and contamination.
Nylon and Polyester
Wipe off all surface dirt with a sponge dampened in plain water. Squeeze the sponge dry. Dip the sponge in a mild solution of water and commercial soap or detergent. Work up a thick lather with a vigorous back and forth motion. Then wipe the belt dry with a clean cloth. Hang freely to dry but away from excessive heat.
Drying
Harness, belts and other equipment should be dried thoroughly without exposure to heat, steam or long periods of sunlight.
Click our logo below to view the full range of Technical Safety EN Spec Safety Lanyards & Fall Arrest Equipment.
EN397 spec Hard Hats are required when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects. In addition, hard hats designed to reduce electrical shock are required when working near exposed electrical conductors that may contact the head.
Specialty types of hard hats include those with miner’s light attachments, reflective stripe for night work, face shields for welders, and attachments for visors or earmuffs.
To enhance protection, hard hats may also incorporate several valuable features: A peak to prevent dazzling. A rain gutter. Ventilation holes or replaceable sweatbands. Chinstrap or chin guard. Removable visor. Integrated earmuffs to protect hearing. Chemical and heat resistance for working in high-risk environments. A worker alert system/ proximity sensor with buzzer alarm mounted on the back of the helmet that uses. GPS and RFID technology to help prevent collisions between personnel and machines.
Hard Hat Colour Definitions Black: Supervisors. Orange: Slinger/Signaller. White: Site Manager / Competent Operative / Vehicle Marshall Blue: Inexperienced Person / Visitor / Apprentice / Architect / Anyone else who doesn’t fall into the above categories. Green: First Aid + Sticker: First Aider. Red: Fire Marshal + Sticker: Fire Marshal.
The Law In 2013, hard hats became compulsory under certain circumstances. They and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are considered essential for managing risks that other means cannot control. Legislation and guidance surrounding PPE includes:
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended) Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2016/425 Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 Regulation 2016/425 and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (Guidance v4), which applies to equipment supplied from 01 April 2021.
Maintenance Before each use, perform a visual inspection for damage such as cracks, dents, or abrasions. Look for signs of wear, such as frayed straps or cracks. Replace the suspension system every 12 months. Clean with mild soap and warm water, rinse thoroughly, and dry before use.
Click the logo below to visit our comprehensive range of EN 397 hard hats.
Flame retardant or FR clothing is designed to ensure protection from open sources of ignition, or from tools and machinery which give off excess heat. Unlike regular work clothing which will normally burn through or catch alight, FR clothing will delay and suppress the spread of flames as well as giving the wearer thermal insulation from heat. These products are specially designed to withstand melting, hence reducing the risk of injury from burns. To increase their effectiveness, FR clothing works best when layered together with baselayer products to offer the highest levels of protection.
Treated vs Inherent Fabric
Products designed to protect against the risk of heat and flames can do so via different processes – FR treated and inherent FR. Ultimately they will both provide excellent protection against convective heat and spread of flame, but both have their unique nuances to consider.
Treated Fabrics
FR treated fabric refers to products which have undergone a special manufacturing process whereby a combination of chemicals are added to a yarn, fibre or finished fabric composition in order to create a new FR fabric work item. Unlike their inherent counterparts, a chemically treated flame retardant product will begin to lose its FR properties over time, either during the laundering process, or due to exposure to chemicals and other abrasives. With a treated garment it is always essential to follow the manufacturers care instructions, as this will ensure the longevity of the FR properties.
Inherent Fabrics
Inherent FR is a term which is lent to fabrics which have had FR properties permanently intertwined into the fibres of the garment itself. Good examples of an inherent fabric are aramid fabrics such as Nomex – which has FR properties present at a molecular level. Modacrylics also benefit from an inherent finish, which is added during the textile process. The advantage of buying an inherent FR product is that due to the introduction of the FR qualities at the fibre level, their protective effectiveness will never diminish over time.
How do I care for my FR Clothing?
To ensure the effectiveness of your FR clothing, you should always follow the manufacturers care instructions. Failure to do so will have a detrimental effect on the level of protection they offer, which could result in injury. Never use bleaches or any detergents which include bleach, and when dry cleaning always avoid any solvent – with the exception of Trichloroethylene (TCE). When tumble drying, its also best to do so on a low heat. Many FR garments also share other safety properties, such as retro-reflective stripes and fluorescent finishes, and should be washed separately to help reduce abrasion against other garments. It is also well advised to turn these products inside out when washing them to help further protect them during the laundering process.
Who would wear FR Clothing?
FR clothing can cater for a number of industries and job roles that require the wearer to work in hazardous environments where they will come into exposure from heat and flame, a great example of this is the petrochemical, oil and gas industries where there is a constant exposure and risk of heat and flame exposure throughout the working day. Welders and fabricators will also come into contact with heat and flame, as well as sources of ignition and sparks, all of which can pose a significant risk to personal safety, should protection not be used correctly.
FR standards explained
There are 3 main standards which are applicable for heat and flame exposure, all of which provide slightly different properties covering what hazards they are protecting the wearer against.
EN ISO 11612:2015
This is the latest revision of the EN ISO 11612 standard which has superseded EN531, and is given to clothing which is designed to offer body protection (with the exception of the hands) from the hazard of heat and flame. Most FR Overalls, shirts and trousers will fall into this category. There are no specific items which adhere to this standard for the head, hands and feet, however you will find there are EN ISO 11612:2015 products such as gaiters, hoods and overboots which will offer protection. FR clothing falling into this standard is designed to limit the spread of flame in the event of exposure to convective or contact heat, and will also protect against molten splashes.
EN ISO 14116:2015
This standard specifies the performance requirements for products which offer limited flame spread properties of all materials, material assemblies and protective clothing. This is designated to products which may expose the user to smaller risks of exposure against fire such as small igniting flames. EN ISO 14116:2015 products are best suited to environments where there is no real significant heat hazards involved. When protection against heat hazards is a necessity, then EN ISO 11612:2015 garments are recommended to ensure your safety.
EN ISO 11611:2015
This is the standard which is lent to FR clothing such as hoods, aprons, gaiters and gauntlets which are worn during the welding and allied processes. Garments and accessories which fall into the EN ISO 11611:2015 are designed to protect the wearer not only against short contact times with flame and radiant heat, but to offer protection against the hazard of spatter and small splashes of molten metals, and will also help to minimize the risk of exposure to accidental contact with live electrical conductors, providing protection up to 100 V d.c(approximately) in normal welding environments.
Additionally, flame retardant clothing may also adhere to a number of additional safety specifications such as EN ISO 20471 for high visibility, EN 343 Foul weather protection, or EN 1149-5 Antistatic protection. Clothing which covers a wide variety of safety specifications is often referred to as Multinorm.
Click our logo below to view our full range of flame retardant clothing.
Breast Cancer Now’s Wear it Pink day is one of the biggest fundraising events in the UK. Taking place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, thousands of amazing people Wear it Pink in their communities, schools or work places for the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now.
We will donate 10% of the sale of Pink products until the end of October 2024
