Safety is vital onsite, so its no surprise that visitors to our retail store often ask us what the difference is between a composite and a steel safety boot toecap. Although in essence they provide the same functionality, each one has specific characteristics – pros and cons which give them different properties. We’ve broken down the differences for you.
Composite Toe Caps
A composite safety toe cap
The composite toe cap is a new take on the traditional steel toe cap which has been the industry standard since the first safety boot was manufactured in the 1930’s. One of the main characteristics which sets them apart is they are lighter in weight than traditional toe caps which makes for a more comfortable fit over long periods. Like their steel counterparts, composite toe caps offer the same 200kj maximum pressure conformity, however they will not warp under impact.
The use of non-metallic safety shoes and boots also offers a unique advantage for security workers, especially those who work in customs at airports, as their lack of metal ensures they do not set inadvertently set off metal detectors.
Pros
Cons
Lightweight
Can be more expensive
Will not set off metal detectors
Offers less puncture resistance
Will not warp after impact
Not affected by changes in temperature
Good electrical resistance
Steel Toe Caps
A steel toe cap
First manufactured in response to increasing numbers of work-related accidents involving workers dropping heavy loads onto their feet, steel toe cap boots became popular almost overnight. The modern day steel toe cap is affordable and offers excellent puncture resistance.
They can easily withstand the same 200kj of pressure which their composite counterparts can, but they are heavier on the feet and the caps can become deformed after an impact – trapping feet inside the boots. Steel toe caps are also not ideal for security workers as they set off metal detectors, and they are reactive to heat which can make them uncomfortable in cold weather.
Pros
Cons
Cheaper
Will trigger metal detectors
Offers great puncture resistance
Affected by temperature changes
Heavy
Can warp from impacts
Poor electrical resistance
We have a fantastic selection of safety boots available in store.
Multinorm clothing is a range of personal protective equipment (PPE) which offers multiple protective properties, against the elements and occupational hazards in the workplace. These products are typically worn by those working within industrial operations such as offshore oil rigs, where protection against a number of hazards is essential.
Unlike workwear which only conforms to a single EN Spec, multinorm items are required to pass multiple tests for each safety norm they provide; all within a single garment – This is why your typical multinorm garment will cost a considerable amount more than traditional, single spec clothing. We have prepared a few examples in the table below, where you can see the unique and comprehensive benefits they provide:
When working on construction sites, railroads and roadside environments it’s always important that you’re seen by others, especially in conditions where visibility is hampered by lack of light or bad weather. High visibility clothing utilises a combination of fluorescent fabrics and reflective striping to help increase the wearers visual presence and in doing so, help to reduce the likelihood of an accident.
High visibility clothing comes in a number of different classifications as defined by the European Committee for Standardization. These products are broken up into three classes based on their levels of fabric and reflective material present – level 1 being the lowest standard, and level 3 being the highest. There is also a special rating for railway and highway use which gains its own safety specification – GO/RT 3279.
EN Classification
Level of protection
Minimum background material
Minimum reflective material
Compliant garment colours
Typical usage environments
EN ISO20471 Class 1
Low
0.14m2
0.10m2(2m of 5cm wide reflective tape)
On site environments such as depots and factories.
EN ISO20471 Class 2
Medium
0.50m2
0.13m2(2.6m of 5cm wide reflective tape)
Suitable for use in public where traffic speeds are less than 40mph.
EN ISO20471 Class 3
High
0.80m2
0.20m2(4m of 5cm wide reflective tape)
Suitable for use in public areas where traffic speeds exceed 40mph.
GO/RT 3279 (rail spec)
Medium
0.50m2
0.13m2(2.6m of 5cm wide reflective tape)
Railways and roadsides
EN 1150 (non-professional use only)
Very Low
Combination of any fabric and retro reflective material
Any colour
Any non-professional purpose such as cycling
Can I get hi-vis clothing with other benefits?
Yes! Just because a product is EN ISO20471, doesn’t mean that is the only protection it offers. Hi-vis products can also be waterproof, anti-static, flame retardant and much more – Always check the En accreditation of each item before you buy to ensure it is up to task. Clothing with multiple features is referred to as multinorm clothing.
What type of high visibility products are available?
There are a number of hi-vis and enhanced vis clothing products available, with items such as:
Jackets
Vests
Sweaters
Polo shirts
Trousers
Overalls
T-shirts
Backpacks*
Hats*
Gloves*
* these items do not conform to the EN ISO20471 standard.
How can I determine if my existing Hi Vis Clothing is fit for purpose?
Most EN compliant garments have the specification they conform to printed on the inner labels. If you are unable to find this information on the label, contact the store you purchased the item from and ask them for the EN specification number for the garment. Once you know the specification, use the table above to determine if your hi vis garment is suitable for the environment you are working in.
My workers already wear fluorescent clothing, isn’t this safe?
Many assume that because a product is made with fluorescent fabric, or that it has some reflective piping or stripes, that it conforms to EN ISO20471 – this isn’t strictly true. The combination of fabric and retro-reflective material itself is what classifies what level the clothing is. The bright colours are designed to make visual presence better in daytime, but the reflective stripes are what gives it the visual impact in low light conditions. Without reflective strips a fluorescent fabric would actually be less effective than white which reflects more light.
Does washing impact the usefulness of the hi-vis?
The reflective properties are impacted from washing, and depending on the manufacturers guidelines the amount of washes can vary. The effectiveness of any hi-vis clothing is also impacted adversely by dirt and grime, so washing is advised – but it is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer washing guidelines. Do bear in mind that any item which also has special coatings or properties such as flame and heat resistance will eventually weaken with each subsequent wash.
I require some personalised hi-vis clothing for my company – can they be embroidered or printed on?
Of course. Hi-vis vests are often printed on for branding purposes, although if the product has any waterproofing or flame resistant properties, then special steps must be taken in order to preserve its protective attributes.
What separates the EN ISO20471 classifications?
As previously mentioned, the ratings for EN ISO20471 high visibility clothing are determined by two attributes: The total surface area of the fluorescent fabric, and the length of reflective tape which has been used on the garment. Reflective tape should be 5cm/50mm wide to be compliant. For the three classes of this standard, the only acceptable colours are Yellow, orange, and orange red. Go/RT clothing only comes in orange, and usually has the same surface properties and length of tape as any EN ISO20471 class 2 product.
Click our logo below to view our full range of EN471 Hi Vis workwear
You can also visit our sister site by clicking the logo below
As a worldwide workwear company, we value the importance of being able to provide our customers with a large selection of quality brands tailored to meet the needs of workers across all industries. We are pleased to announce that we are now official suppliers of Wenaas Offshore and Industrial clothing. Wenaas are a Norwegian workwear company with over 80 years experience designing and manufacturing clothing specifically for the offshore and petrochemical industries.
With an extensive selection of multi-norm and flame retardant products, the Wenaas Offshore clothing is packed with features to help with the day to day labours the job entails, and they hold a unique advantage over their contemporaries – with inherent flame retardant properties which are woven into the fabric, not just treated after manufacture. This design choice allows the products to retain their protective qualities for far longer than fabrics which are treated, providing the wearer with a more economic and long-lasting solution.
Here are just a small selection of products from this new and exciting dirty workwear range has to offer:
Designed to offer top quality protection from both foul weather and occupational hazards, the Wenaas Safety Boots range is perfect for offshore workers. Initially part of the Wenaas “Forma” range, they now stand alone as part of the safety footwear range.
Constructed with a selection of high quality fabric, and utilising fabric technologies such as Gore-Tex membrane linings for comfort, these excellent safety boots from the Norwegian offshore specialists are in a league of their own. Their protective qualities also bolstered by the inclusion of toe caps and as soft penetration resistant midlayers, ensuring the undersides of the feet and the toes are kept shielded from drop hazards and sharp debris on the floor.
All over body protection is paramount in many industries, even more so in offshore and petrochemical environments. This is due in part to the increased risk of contact with hazards such as heat and flames. Because of this it is important that work clothing and uniforms match the required safety criteria of the environment surrounding them.
The Wenaas Offshore Coverall range is the perfect choice for offshore workers, with products that are replete with features for storing valuables and accessories, constructed with special inherent FR fabrics. This excellent (and striking) FR overall range retains its protective qualities for much longer than regular treated fabrics, and conforms to a number of safety standards including EN ISO 11612 A1 A2 B1 C1.
Wenaas “Odin” Offshore GlovesYou would be hard pressed to find a more hardcore range of impact gloves on the market. Offering superior mechanical risk protection, the Wenaas Offshore Gloves are the ultimate in hand protection, with highly abrasion and tear resistant reinforcements complimenting lightweight breathable shells for maximum comfort and safety, without sacrificing dexterity..
The metacarpal area on the back of the hands, and the areas where veins are most prominent are also shielded from danger thanks to the inclusion of TPR (Thermal Plastic Rubber). This rugged material will offer amazing protection against impacts and other mechanical risks.
formerly part of the Odin range, this great selection of gloves come with different properties to match your needs – such as enhanced grip an waterproofing.
Offshore environments can be cold places to work, so its imperative that when temperatures drop, you are protected from the elements. The Wenaas Offshore Jackets will do just that, with their multitude of practical features such as fleece lined pockets and ID pockets.
This excellent offshore jacket range isn’t all pockets and looks however. They have been designed to offer high levels of protection, with EN ISO 14116 Flame retardant credentials, EN 1149-5 anti-static, and EN 343 3.1 waterproof qualities being just a few of the benefits these items can bring to the table.
The fabrics used for this range are always loaded with inherent FR properties. This ensures that the product retains its compliance better than treated fabrics after being laundered.
The Wenaas range is a fantastic new addition to our expanding online catalogue. The products above are just a small selection of the products available in the range.
Click our logo below to view our full range of Wenass Workwear
It’s safe to say that technology over the past 20 years has come on in leaps and bounds. Everything from televisions, mobile phones, video game consoles, car and much more have accelerated in ways we could never have imagined – fancy telling somebody playing snake on their phone back in the mid 90’s that they’re going to be able to watch movies, order their shopping and much more on a phone with no physical buttons!
But whilst electronics and other mediums have benefit from leaps in technological advancement, workwear has yet to make a true to form “next generation” leap. What does the future hold in terms of workwear and safety? We’re going to take a look at a few of the exciting possibilities in the future of workwear.
Illuminated Clothing
Hi vis might be a thing of the past
Its a worrying statistic, but on average the number of fatal road related accidents increases by up to 400% in low light conditions. This applies to pedestrians on their travels, and workers on roadsides. Typically the professional workers are bound by law to wear high visibility garments at all times, but no pedestrian is likely to wear a high vis jacket – its hardly a flattering look.
However, recent advancements in illumination technology might just hold the key to an exciting safety breakthrough. By infusing items with EL fabrics and a series of microprocessors, it now may be possible for any item of clothing to effectively become an illuminated safety garment, changing the way we look at safetywear and protective clothing forever. Forget low-light clothing, the future is no-light clothing.
Reflective strips could become a thing of the past, with lights interwoven into the fabrics themselves, capable of turning a bog standard T-shirt into a light show – lets face it, you’re not going to miss somebody if they’re lit up like a Christmas tree!
Advanced Cooling Polymers
A close-up of Omni-Freeze fabric
Working indoors and out, you know after a few hours hard work that you’re going to build up a sweat. There are currently a whole host of specialist fibres and garments which provide moisture transportation and effective cooling methods – but wouldn’t it be much “cooler” if these shirts actually reacted to your body heat, and cooled you down?
Sportswear brand Colombia are gearing up to release their Omni-Freeze ZERO range in 2013. These shirts and shorts, and in future – trainers, incorporate special polymers which react to body sweat, and expand to increase airflow around the garment. Colombia claim this new technology is that efficient, its actually cooler than taking your top off altogether! Its unclear about any further applications, but it promotes an exciting step forward, and has some brilliant uses if it was effectively combined with workwear in the future.
Heads up displays (HUD)
Google’s head up display
Google’s Project Glass was announced earlier in the year, creating a massive media buzz that in the future you will be able to use augmented glasses, which could pave the way for a million different possibilities. Imagine for the business owner on the move – being able to read your e-mails, video call, send files and share documents via a pair of glasses? What about if you’re a delivery driver? Google maps overlay giving you detailed route information, such as directions to your next delivery, traffic information – you’re never going to get lost again.
This could also have applications in medical and health-care sectors, and when combined with other technologies, could even provide you with the health status, and location of work colleagues or clients when working large sites, shaving vital seconds off of reaction times to accidents and emergencies.
These are just some of the possibilities in the future, with technology moving forward at the rate it is, then its only a matter of time before things such as the examples above become mainstream, commonplace sights in our day to day lives.
Thats the exciting future of work clothing covered, but for the time being don’t forget to check out our excellent range of high vis and PPE available online.
All hard hats should have a date of manufacture inside the shell like this.
Most jobs require you to wear Personal Protective Equipment of some kind, most commonly a hard hat – but were you aware that safety helmets carry a lifespan of between four to five years of usage (without an accident)? This is outlined in accordance to most manufacturers recommended guidelines. They won’t last forever as they are made from thermoplastics which degrades over time, impacting it’s protective properties.
If you are unsure about the age of your hard hat or you’re buying a new one from a retailer, always check the date of manufacture. This can usually be found inside the shell and will help you to determine how much longer it will provide optimal protection before it is considered unsafe. Of course if you drop a hard hat then it is rendered useless, and must be replaced immediately.
There are a number of things you can do to keep your hard Hat it in good condition:
Regularly replace the suspension inside to increase longevity of the helmet.
Never paint your hard hat, this could warp the plastic and severely affect its performance.
If you need to wash the shell, do so in warm water using a mild detergent.
Perform weekly checks for any bumps, scrapes, dents and cracks.
Do not store your Hard Hat in direct sunlight (such as in the back of a car or van), the sun will weaken the outer shell.
There are other signs that your hard hat may have seen better days, these include a faded or misty looking shell. There maybe excessive wear and tear to the suspension as well. When it comes to safety, people often disregard the importance of their hard hat and never maintain them. They are very important for your safety on site, and that maintenance may make all the difference in the event of an accident.
Not got yours yet? We have an excellent selection of EN 397 Hard Hats to choose from.
Asbestos is a dangerous material to come across, and must be dealt with in a safe and effective manner. This article should provide you with all the basics you need to know.
What is asbestos?
What does asbestos look like? Well, asbestos comes in three different colours:
Chrysotile (white)
Amosite (brown)
Crocidolite (blue)
Crocidolite (left), Chrysolite (center) and Amosite (right).
These are the main types of asbestos you will find in the workplace, although they are not always identifiable by colour alone. Amosite and Crocidolite asbestos are the two most deadly forms, but they have not been imported into the United Kingdom for over twenty years now. The use of asbestos was banned in 1985 in the UK, followed by the outlawing of Chrysotile asbestos with the exception of a few specialised uses.
What risks are there from asbestos?
There are many health risks associated with asbestos exposure, and unfortunately at the moment the majority of them remain uncurable. They are onset from inhalation of the fibres in the air and this can lead ot any of the following conditions:
Lung cancer
Asbestosis/Fibrosis
Mesothelioma
At present there is no cure for any asbestos related disease. In the UK alone there are up to 3500 deaths a year as a direct result of asbestos fibre inhalation, as well as reported figures of 2700 deaths a year caused from Mesothelioma in the United States. Unfortunately it is not always easy to diagnose an asbestos related disease, as symptoms can sometimes suffer a degree of lag from first exposure to the material, to the first actual symptoms of any related disease. This has been known to vary wildly from case to case, sometimes taking as little as 15 years to impact, sometimes even taking up to 60 years before any symptoms are identifiable. A large number of people who are dying from exposure at present, were originally in contact with the material between the 50’s and 70’s – which is way before the current set of regulations were introduced in 1985 and 1999.
Although it is plausible that a repeated low level of exposure to asbestos is linked to related diseases, there is a clearly well defined link between them when exposure is increased. Although considered a dangerous material, if asbestos is left intact and undisturbed when it is come across then it is unlikely any loose fibres will get airborne. Alarmingly a high number of sufferers come from the building trades: carpenters, joiners, electricians and shop fitters all run a higher risk of exposure to asbestos.
What types of buildings are likely to contain asbestos?
Asbestos is likely to be in any building which has been built or refurbished between 1950 and 1980, also if it has a steel frame structure or if the building has been equipped with boilers and thermal insulation. An important fact to remember is that between the 50’s and 80’s is that asbestos cement was widely used as a building material, so it can even be in places you wouldn’t expect it to be, so always be diligent when working onsite to lookout for anything which may indicate this.
Where is asbestos found in buildings?
Many thousands of tonnes of asbestos have been used in the past for construction. Much of this is still there, and it can be very difficult to identify, however the most common types and uses were for the following:
Sprayed asbestos, and asbestos loose packaging
This was generally used for fire breaks in ceiling voids.
Moulded and pre-formed sprayed coatings and laggings
This is how asbestos has been used to insulate pipes.
This was primarily applied to pipes and boilers as a thermal insulation.
Sprayed asbestos mixed with hydrated asbestos cement
A typical asbestos cement roof.
This was used as fire protection for a wide number of applications such as:
Ducts
Firebreaks
Panels
Partitions
Soffit boards
ceiling panels
Asbestos can also be found around structural steelwork, and has also known to be found inside insulating boards and wall partitions. Asbestos cement products have been known to be compressed into flat and corrugated sheets. Theses were used widely as roofing and wall cladding, whilst other uses of asbestos cement include gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks, and also in reinforced plastics, mastic and other various sealants.
These fibres has also been found in millboard, paper and paper products that have been used for insulating electrical equipment, as well as also being used as a fireproof facing on wood fibreboard, certain textured coatings, decorative plasters and paints, ropes and even cloth.
How does asbestos get into the body?
Asbestos can only enter the body through the nose and mouth. Even though the human body will expel most larger fibres when inhaled, far smaller ones such as those from asbestos sometimes make their way into the lower half of the lungs, where they can sit for years. On some occasions they have even breached the lining of the lungs themselves. It can also be found naturally in water and some food; however the body can deal with it when ingested in that manner.
How do I protect myself and my co-workers?
FFP3 rated dust masks provide asbestos protection.
Asbestos dust can spread easily, but given the correct approach it is possible to protect yourself and your workforce in an effective manner. First and foremost you should ensure that your team is all equipped with suitable personal protective equipment and clothing, such as coveralls and respirators. Also ensure that all PPE is stored in a secure area away from all possible contaminants, and that no PPE is ever taken off site. Bare in mind when taking breaks, even for something as simple as a coffee or a quick cigarette – it’s paramount that you thoroughly wash your hands and face before you do anything, as well as at the end of the day before you leave. Also try to separate working areas from areas where you are eating and drinking.
Any materials which you plan to work on that may contain asbestos should be dampened whilst you work on them, this saturates the fibres, meaning they are less likely to become enter the air, also remember to re-dampen once in a while also. As another precaution, power tools should be omitted altogether when working with asbestos based materials. Instead; use hand tools – however tedious this may sound you ultimately have greater control over the speed of a hand tool than over that of a power tool, and a power tool creates substantially larger quantities of dust.
Any waste created whilst working with Asbestos based materials should be cleaned up as you go, and disposed of accordingly, don’t allow for debris to pile up otherwise it will dry out and if disturbed could release fibres into the air. Any waste should be contained securely in a suitable sealed container or in a heavy duty polythene bag – sealed then put inside a second bag and labelled clearly as asbestos waste. Any waste needs to be taken to a suitable facility, not a regular tip. Any dust which may still be left around can be cleared up by using a type H vacuum cleaner.
What PPE should I consider when working with Asbestos?
In order to stay protected around asbestos, you need to make sure that you have full body protection, and a respirator equipped with PP3 rated filters. Below is a small selection of products we stock which will help you stay safe.
Portwest Type 5&6 Overalls (50) £127.92 ex VATPortwest Zurich Full Face Mask £78.32 ex VATPortwest Biztex Boot Cover 6PB (200) £75.04 ex VATMoldex Fit Test Kit £133.44 ex VAT
We have also have a wide variety of EN149 respirators in stock to ensure safety when working alongside asbestos fibres, as well as other contaminants.
