Author: NGoodale

EN 342 Cold Weather Clothing Explained

For working in cold, low temperature environments it is important the your work apparel can provide you with the thermal efficiency needed in order to keep the cold at arms length, as well as keep you warm and insulated. EN 342:2004 is the standard related to cold weather clothing designed to offer excellent protection in hazardous, cold environments under 5°C.

The EN 342 standard is determined by four parameters:

a – Thermal insulation properties with motion
b – Thermal insulation properties without motion (optional)
c – Air permeability
d – Waterproof penetration properties (optional)

Requirements for effective thermal insulation of clothing in relation to ambient temperature conditions for heat balance at different durations of human exposure to cold according to PN EN 342 ^[source]

Effective thermal insulation I_cle[m²∙K/W]	User standing activity [75 W/m²]
Effective thermal insulation I_cle[m²∙K/W]	8 h	1 h
0.31	11	-2
0.39	7	-10
0.47	3	-17
0.54	-3	-25
0.62	-7	-32

Requirements for resultant effective thermal insulation of clothing in relation to ambient temperature conditions for heat balance at different activity levels and duration of exposure to cold acc. to EN 342 ^[source]

Resultant effective thermal insulation I_cler [m² K/W]	Light wearer activity 115 W/m²		Medium wearer activity 170 W/m²
Resultant effective thermal insulation I_cler [m² K/W]	8 h	1 h	8 h	1 h
0.31	-1	-15	-19	-32
0.39	-8	-25	-28	-45
0.47	-15	-35	-38	-58
0.54	-22	-44	-40	-70
0.62	-29	-54	-60	-83

click our logo below to view our full range of EN 342 Cold Protection

17 December 2022

EN 471 and EN ISO 20471 – Know the Differences

Workwear can often be confusing, with many different standards and levels of protection – how do you know which one is right for you? Your safety is important, so keeping protected is something which should be taken as a priority above all else. One of the most commonly purchased types of product is High Visibility Clothing. There are several classes to high vis work clothing, from non-professional use, to specialist track and roadside classifications all with different levels of effectiveness. On 28th June 2013, a new standard was introduced – ENISO 20471:2013. This updated version of the EN471 standard offers quite a few differences – so let us run down some of them for you.

Sleeves

Under the EN471 standard, sleeves were allowed to be non fluorescent, this is true for many styles which have zip-off sleeve features. Under the revised EN ISO 20471 standard, all sleeves must be finished in a fluorescent fabric, with two bands of reflective tape.

Body coverage, meeting class 3

Under EN ISO 20471, Class 3 high visibility clothing must cover the body, and have full length sleeves and/or trouser legs complete with reflective striping detail. Under the old standard, bib and brace overalls could meet the class 3 standard. Under the updated EN ISO 20471 standard this is no longer the case due to their lack of sleeves.

Class 2 Bib and brace

On a bib and brace garment, the reflective tape around the waistline no longer contributes to the calculations which grant a product class 2 status for high visibility work clothing. To combat this, the reflective tape around the legs is widened from 50mm to 60mm in order for a Bib and brace to keep its class 2 standard.

Retroreflective material requirements

EN 471 Level 1 separate performance material requirements have been removed.

The minimum performance requirements for separate performance material is essentially the same as the former EN 471 requirement for level 2 reflective materials. In the assessment of the retroreflective performance of materials, the method requires the tape to be tested on the poorest performing segment.

The retroreflective tape is tested once it has been subjected to the stated maximum number of washing and drying cycles, as stated by the manufacturer. This differs from the final dry on EN 471 testing. Now the manufacturers can specify the washing process and temperature for testing – but this information must be reflected on the label of the product.

Marking

Initially under the EN 471 standard, garments were marked with a value of X and Y where X would be risk assessment and Y would be the quality of the reflective tape. This has been done away with on the newer EN ISO 20471 products, instead showing a single number on the pictogram, which details the level of protection only.

Labels must also have an indication of the products maximum number of cleaning cycles before the safety features are impacted, but only in the event that this information is disclosed in the product information itself. This maximum number relates specifically to the high visibility material under the lowest level of cleaning performance as per the testing carried out on fluorescent and reflective materials.

The EN 471 standards are updated every 5 years if needed, with the first standard being written in 1994.

27 May 2016
Nine Piece PPE Kits now available!
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Keeping you and your workforce safe is something which you should take seriously, and without the correct equipment at hand – when an accident does happen, you may not be prepared to deal with it. We always think about the safety of our workforce, and all our customers. We’ve just launched an excellent new nine piece PPE Kit which is bundled inside a high visibility rucksack – packed with the essential protection and injury care equipment you need when on site.

So whats in the bag?

Shugon High Visibility Rucksack

Designed to stow away your valuables, and offer you a heightened visual presence – this compact yet spacious work bag is finished in either orange or yellow fluorescent colours with reflective striping details, and will house all your essentials whilst you’re on the move. The bag features adjustable shoulder straps and a comfy handle at the top for great portability. The main compartment offers plenty of room, but can easily be expanded on if need be with the handy exterior panel zip, which spreads the back out for even more room. There are two additional zipped compartments for housing smaller items, in addition to a handy interior pouch, which will accommodate a media player or mobile phone, with an audio port in the roof of the bag allowing you to listen to your favourite music on the move, whilst keeping your precious electronics safe.

The bag comes unbranded, but on request can be adorned with your own company logo.

ProForce PPE Safety Glasses

Your eyes are pretty important. So making sure they stay protected from hazards is a given. This great pair of Safety Glasses from ProForce are made with a lightweight frame, with adjustable arms to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. The lenses are crafted from a durable polycarbonate, with scratch resistant coating. They conform to EN116-1F for PPE personal eye protection standards.

ProForce EP01 Ear Defenders

The sound of machinery and ambient site noise can be distracting, and actually rather dangerous for your ears if you are exposed to prolonged high levels of noise. Keep your ears protected from damage with this pair of ProForce EP01 Ear Defenders. CE Approved to EN352-1, their lightweight and robust design is perfect for the active site or roadside worker. The contoured headband hold them in place, with the large domed cuffs effectively drowning out sounds, with soft, foam filled cups for maximum comfort.

Portwest P209 FFP2 Valved Mask (Triple Pack)

Suitable for protection against fumes and water based mists, in addition to fine toxic dust and contaminants up to 10 times the WEL, the Portwest P209 FFP2 Valved Blister Pack is a triple pack of handy dust masks. Their comfort cup shape creates a comfortable seal around the face, with an exhalation valve and adjustable nose clip. Elasticated straps secure the masks in place, and they are fully CE certified and adhere to EN 149:2001 plus A1:2009.

Warrior Nylon Coated Hyflex Gloves

These Hurricane Nylon Coated Hyflex Gloves are an ideal glove for fine handling of material and assembly, used for general light duty precision applications such as electrical, plumbing, inspection and assembly. Providing dexterity and comfort, these Warrior Hyflex Gloves are perfect for precise operations that require maximum levels of dexterity. They have a breathable and seamless liner, which is like a second skin. The polyurethane coating offers excellent hand protection in lightweight applications. With an EN388 level 4 abrasion resistance score, the glove provides superb performance, and in trials this product has received positive feedback from wearers; who prefer this glove to other styles of traditional gloves.

Steroplast Vehicle First Aid Kit

This is the lifesaver of your PPE Kit. This portable HSE compliant and NHS approved product comes in a portable zip bag, and can be kept either in the rucksack or stored in a vehicle close by. Inside the kit you will find the following:
- 1 x Pair of Scissors
- 1 x Med Sterile Dressing
- 1 x Eye-pad Sterile Dressing
- 1 x Non-woven Triangular Bandage
- 2 x Pairs Med Gloves
- 1 x Bag of Safety Pins
- 4 x Alcohol Free Wipes
- 20 x assorted hypo-alergenic plasters
- 1 x HSE first aid guide
Steroplast Eye Wash Pods

The eyes are susceptible to a number of work related hazards and injuries, and sometimes even a pair of glasses or goggles can let contaminants through to the surface of the eye. In the event of this, its imperative to flush out any foreign bodies before they cause any more damage. These eye was pods are a sterile topical solution, containing sodium chloride in purified water. The slim neck design makes them easy to apply, with greater accuracy.

Disposable Overshoes (100 pack)

When visiting some sites, it may be mandatory to have your feet covered with overshoes – stretched over footwear, they will keep surfaces from becoming contaminated from dirty shoes. This is especially important in places where hygiene is important – so any food processing factory would likely have site visitors wear something similar to this to protect their floors from foreign contaminants.

Class 2 Hi Vis Vest

Possibly one of the most essential pieces in any workers arsenal. A simple high vis vest, which conforms to en471 class 2. Lightweight and velcro fastened, this vest will ensure that you’re seen in low light and poor visibility.

The Nine Piece PPE Kit is priced at £36.58 inc VAT Buy Here

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18 May 2016
Spring and Summer Style Guide

Summer Style Guide 2016

With winter well and truly out of the way, at least we hope – our sister blog looked at spring cleaning tips. So how about some excellent, stylish clothing to help tackle those odd jobs in the garden or for out on site? We have an outstanding selection of products – for all seasons. All are available in our online store, but just for now lets look at some fresh and funky ideas for the warmer months an maybe you can give you and your workers a new Summer Style.

Hats

When the suns out, a hat is perfect for keeping the sun out of your eyes whilst you work – as well as protecting your head from getting burnt!

Result Heavy Cotton Pro-Style Baseball Cap

Made from a 270gsm heavy cotton fabric, this excellent camouflage finished cap has a comfortable low profile design with a pre-curved peak and stitched eyelets. The rear of the hat is fastened by a fabric strap and secured with an antique brass buckle. The front panels are left unsupported, which means if it takes your fancy – you can even get it embroidered, but with its camo design, just remember where you put it down – or it may be a nightmare to find 😉

Carhartt Odessa Cap

Carhartt have always stood for the industrial worker, but in recent years they’ve become increasingly popular as a fashionable brand. The Odessa Cap from Carhartt has an adjustable hook and loop closure on the back for a comfortable fit, with a pre-curved peak. It comes in four cool vintage colours, with a leatherette logo label at the front. Inside this cap there is a coolmax sweatband, which will help keep moisture at bay and keep you cooler throughout the day.

Dickies Harrison Cap

Featuring a distressed, oil washed finish and made from a durable 100% cotton twill fabric, the Dickies Harrison Cap is a strong contender for the most stylish cap available. It is available in two colour options, and will look good at work or out and about.

Tops

When its hot outside, its great to be able to just enjoy the sun – and a lightweight, cool t-shirt or vest will provide just the right amount of sun protection, and will keep you cooler for longer.

FoTL Mens Short Sleeve Baseball T-Shirt

Show your love of colours off with this excellent T-shirt from Fruit of The Loom! Exceptional value, this 100% Cotton Belcoro Yarn top features contrasting colour sleeves and rounded collar, with seven colour options available. This tee is ideal for working in the garden or just as a casual top whilst lounging around or going about your daily routines. Its Belcoro yarn finish is designed to offer a very fine knit, which also makes this a fantastic top for businesses who want a stylish and eye-catching personalised work clothing solution.

Helly Hansen Workwear Magni T-Shirt

Available in a stylish black or a vibrant dark lime, the HH Workwear Magni T-shirt makes for an excellent baselayer top which is packed with innovative technology to offer the best in comfort whilst you work. With a fabric weight of 130gsm, the polyester and polypropylene fabric composition is light to the touch, and incorporates Lifa Flow tech to help moisture manage and keep you dry and cool.

Carhartt Force Colour Enhanced T-Shirt

The “Force” is strong with this one! Another colourful option, the Force Colour T-shirt from Carhartt is constructed from a durable 100% force polyester fabric, which is lightweight with a birds-eye knit finish designed to keep you cool when you’re out in the sun. This bright and practical t-shirt features FastDry wicking technology, which dissipates sweat from the body and helps to keep you cool and dry. There’s even a handy chest pocket, with enough room to store any items you may need in a cinch.

Shorts

To top any ensemble off, you’re going to want to air those pasty winter legs, and get the shorts out! The improved air circulation and freedom of movement is perfect for outdoors pursuits and working in the garden at home, or the site at work.

Carhartt Rugged Cargo Camo Shorts

If you liked the look of the Result Heavy Cotton Pro-Style Baseball Cap, then these shorts will be perfect. Made with a 100% ring-spun cotton canvas fabric, these shorts will give as good as they get, with woodland and urban camo styles for a stylish look. The relaxed seat and thigh combines with the slightly lower sitting waistband for a casual, relaxed fit ideal for lounging around in the sun.

Helly Hansen Mjolnir Shorts

Part of the the latest addition to the Helly Hansen range, this is one Mjolnir you can lift without being an asgardian! These 100% cotton work shorts have a rugged raw edge detail, and a relaxed stylish fit. They feature a drawcord adjustment on the waist if the belt loops are not to your liking, one of which has a practical ID loop for security – you’ll never misplace your identification again.

Blaklader Garden Pirate Shorts

If you want shorts with that added punch, then these excellent pirate pants will give you it. engineered for the active horticulturist, they are created from a combo of recycled polyester and cotton twill fabric that is packed with features. The tool and rear pockets are imbued with the power of Cordura, offering impressive abrasion resistance. More importantly Cordura also plays a role in reinforcing the kneepad pockets, making these a magnificent choice for budding gardeners (pun intended).

Something a bit different?

If nothing above has taken your fancy, we have some more unique gardening products for men and women below, if shorts aren’t enough – these will offer you something a little more unique…

Blaklader Craftsman Kilt

Thats right, Blaklader might be the first to offer a practical workmans kilt (underwear recommended). Constructed from a 100% cotton twill fabric, they are well ventilated and feature reinforced ruler and nail pockets, and come equipped with a hammer loop and bellowed back pockets.

Fristads Kansas Womens Skirt

A definite contender for the most colourful product we have available, these striking work skirts from Fristads Kansas come in a range of light and bright pastel shades, for a striking and colourful look. Not just for show, this skirt means business – with Cordura reinforced loose-hanging front pockets and a range of tool loops and accessory options available, they won’t let you down on site!
If nothing here has caught your eye, don’t forget to visit our online store.

6 May 2016
Introducing – The Portwest Peakview Hard Hat!

The latest in PPE technology

We’re very excited to introduce a brand new product from the superb Portwest range – The Peakview Translucent Hard Hat. Available in eight colours in both vented and un-vented styles, this hard hat will provide you and your workforce with excellent protection, with the unique feature of improved peripheral vision thanks to its translucent design!

Safety, Redefined.

Made from a high impact polycarbonate and supported with a six point nylon harness, you can be assured you’re safe whilst wearing this excellent PPE product. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and has been UV400 Stabilised to offer increased durability. The unique translucent design is a thoughtful and practical design choice, as it will allow you to see through the peak whilst traversing ladders and scaffolds, and this will also help encourage workers from reversing the head harness and wearing their hard hats backwards – There’s no excuse now! This exciting new addition to the Portwest Personal Protective Equipment range is on our website right now for pre-order, so be a part of the next generation in head protection and take a look at this superb product for yourself!

We will be stocking both the vented and unvented versions, in all colours from April 8th!

4 April 2016
Introducing the latest innovation from Mammoth Workwear!

Here at Mammoth Workwear we have always striven to innovate, and offer something a little different for our customers. Today we are excited to announce the latest exciting product to our range – In Partnership with Street Cleaning Simulator developer Astragon, we are proud to unveil – Janitorial and Cleaning Simulator! Fully compatible with the upcoming HTC Vibe, and PSVR, this excellent interactive experience brings all the fun of cleaning the workplace to life!

The game has changed

With stunning 4K enabled graphics on the PC, and utilising the ever versatile Unreal Engine – Janitorial and Cleaning Simulator takes players on a journey across the world. From School cafeterias in Runcorn, to sprawling office complexes in Shanghai, this virtual reality experience will push your skills to the very limit! 30 stages of cleaning action, with licensed cleaning products from Cleenol and Evans Disposables as a part of your arsenal. Tackle dirt and grime, Refill buckets, clean taps and more!

Better with Friends

Janitorial and Cleaning Simulator has 32 player online multiplayer, with a wide range of game modes which will offer up the very best quick firing, VR experience! Crush your enemies, and take the spoils across a number of excellent game modes on launch:

Capture the Bin Bag

Two teams of 16 work against each other to steal the final bag of rubbish. Your objective? Get the bin bag back to your trolley. Sounds easy? When a player has the bag, they can’t use their mops or brushes – meaning they are defenseless as the other team come at you full force, with their disinfectant sprays, litter pickers and sponge grenades! Utilize special weapons such as Steel Scourers to put distance between the bag carrier and the offense – Can YOU capture the Bin Bag?

Mopping Territory

Four Teams work against each other in the office, using coloured disinfectant to mark the floor with the colour of their team! Careful as you go though, as other teams can sneak in and tag the floorspace with their own colour! This frenetic and fast paced mode will test your reflexes to the limit! Use boosters like the wide spraying Bio Mop, and the Powerful V-Sweeper to push your enemies aside as you fight for floorspace in Mopping Territory!!!

These are just two of the modes which will launch with the game when it releases December 5th in Europe. We plan to follow up in the following few months, with the Mammoth DLC Pack. This DLC map and item pack will offer new modes, maps, challenges and player customisations and weapons!

Other features:

Customised Workwear: Create a team, and deck them out in your colours of choice! with licensed clothing courtesy of Dickies, Helly Hansen and Cofra to name a few – you can add all the style you need to your teams look!

Online leaderboards: Are you the best out there? Can you out-clean your friends? Our online leaderboard will keep a tally of your vital stats, and stack them up against players worldwide! With cross-play compatibility coming in the future, as well as our excellent companion app.

Private Lobbies: Master the game modes before you go online! Invite your friends and use the customisable bots in any mode you wish! Tweak their difficulty, weapon options, scores, maps – every thing you need at your disposal so you can practice before tackling the leaderboards!

Smooth Frames: Running at a stable 60 frames per second, this is as close to the real thing as you can get!

Peripherals: Coming in Summer 2017, we will be launching the additional peripherals – the Mop Blaster controller, and the V-Sweeper controller. Dominate the competition with these excellent controllers!

To pre-order, click here.

Janitorial and Cleaning Simulator will launch across all EU territories in December 5th, 2016 with American and Asian releases to be confirmed.

31 March 2016
The History of Carhartt Workwear

The History of Carhartt Workwear

Carhartt, the American workwear manufacturer began life back when Benjamin Harris was the nation’s President, almost a quarter century before the outbreak of World War I. Its founder, Hamilton Carhart, conceived the enterprise in Detroit, Michigan in 1889, and immediately altered the spelling of his surname to stand out from the crowd. Carhartt, then but a twinkle in Hamilton’s eye, was born.

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[ap_column span=”3″]The idea for his first product, known as the Carhartt Bib Overall launched later that year; came to him after conversing with rail-road workers. Picking the workers brains, the businessman found that they preferred garments that were handmade, and set to work on creating an overall tailored to their needs. Made from master cloth (their signature long-fibre cotton weave), the Bib Overall utilised triple-stitched seams and rustproof buttons in order to please workers from a variety of blue-collar occupations. An honest value for an honest dollar, was how Hamilton put it, and his quality, breathable garment soon dove-tailed as subsequent products entered the market.[/ap_column]
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Standing for durable construction, cutting-edge design and exceptional standards of comfort, the Carhartt brand’s use of extra-strong button holes made them a hit with workers from the outset. It’s no surprise then that by the time of World War I, Carhartt was in a position to supply uniforms for the U.S. Army as they deployed to Europe. Carhartt’s utilitarian clothing range had gone from four sewing machines and five employees in 1889 to the government’s preferred choice of hardwearing kit, fit for a soldier.

Though the Great Depression of the 1920s heralded tough times for Carhartt, with the brand downsized to just three plants at the height of the crisis, Hamilton and his son, Wylie, rode out the storm and began to rebuild. Their Back to the Land campaign sought to restore values held by the American public after the war, and to provide solid, hard-wearing work clothes for the new generation. Their Irvine, Kentucky operations were even joint opened by the townspeople of Irvine, and the company’s Manufacturing Administrative offices are located in the town to this day.

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[ap_column span=”3″]Using the motto “from mills to millions”, Carhartt enjoyed a great deal of prosperity after the Depression, growing to establish some seventeen plants and mills throughout the U.S.A., Canada and Europe. From denim mills to cotton production, the company was at the forefront of blue-collar work clothing for the masses. Hamilton Carhartt lived to see his enterprise survive the downturn, before passing away in 1937. Through the following decades, Carhartt’s coveralls, vests, coats, jackets and jeans continued to find a home in the hearts of millions of American workers. Hamilton’s family have continued his vision, evolving and reshaping the original blueprint to fit a modern market.[/ap_column]
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We’re proud to help spread the History of Carhartt Workwear to the modern market, and you can find out more about the prestigious brand by viewing our Carhartt range online.

You can also visit our sister site by clicking the logo below

15 March 2016