Since India is a developing country, industries are rapidly growing here, which is why the government needs to have guidelines on how to operate the workspace and avert dangerous situations. Workers are often required to work in hazardous situations with low visibility, and high temperatures, where with may need to handle corrosive substances; this may lead to serious accidents.

To avert such a situation, the Government of India has placed a lot of rules and regulations that the companies are required to follow to keep a safe working environment; non-compliance with these guidelines can lead to penalties and, in some instances, closure of the business and even jail time for the owners.

The uniform is part of the guidelines as well; the Government of India has put in place guidelines regarding the uniform that workers are required to wear in risky working conditions.

For example, people who work in high temperatures are required to wear a uniform that is made out of a material that can sustain heat for a longer period. On the other hand, people who work with harsh materials are required to wear clothes that are chemical-resistant.

In this article, we will learn about the importance of wearing the right workwear and what steps companies should take to provide safe working clothes.

Different Types of Workwear

Let us take a quick look at the different types of workwear -

Industrial Worker Uniform

Industrial workers in India face various types of dangerous situations; it is essential to empower them by giving them the right uniform that can save them during accidents. For example, workers who work in the oil and gas industry are required to wear protective overalls or boiler suits that safeguard them against dirt, chemicals, and sparks. These boiler suits are made of cotton and polyester, which is a breathable fabric; the material is also flame-resistant. Similarly, workers working in construction, mining, and warehouses have high-visibility jackets that can be seen worn in low-light and high-traffic areas. Workers who work in extreme heat should wear an aluminised suit to tackle the heat as per the guidelines. On the other hand electricians and welders are required to wear fire-resistant shirts and pants.

Other than that, in specific fields, there are specific types of gloves that the workers need to wear. For example, some workers wear cut-resistant gloves, while others wear chemical-resistant gloves. Similar to gloves, workers also wear different types of footwear and helmet depending on their industry.

Service Worker Uniform

People who work in service industries such as healthcare and hospitality are also required to wear uniforms that comply with the industry regulations. In the hospitality sector chefs and kitchen staff are required to wear hats known as chef's toques for hygiene issues; if it comes out that the chefs do not maintain basic hygiene protocol, then the shop may face closure. Other than hats, chefs also wear loose pants, double-breasted jackets, and anti-slip shoes for convenience. Similar to the chefs, the waiters, and the housekeeping staff are required to wear clothes that are sharp, comfortable, and convenient.

Healthcare workers are required to adhere to industry gguidelines,or they might face cancellation of their registration. As per government standards, healthcare workers are required to wear breathable fabric that is easy to sterilize and stain-resistant. To avoid bacterial accumulation, minimal stitching is preferred, and small sleeves are discouraged to avoid contamination. 

Law Enforcement Worker Uniform

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs the fabric used to make the uniforms should be weather-resistant and durable that can last for a long time. For winters wool blend textile is used and for summers cotton is used. Traffic police are required to wear reflective strips that can be seen from afar. The officers working in the tactical department are required to wear camouflaged uniforms; with that, they need to wear bulletproof vests that should ISI ISI-marked to protect them. They are also given combat boots that have ankle support and are slip-resistant; finally, they also wear bullet-proof helmets as well.

Specialized Workwear

There are a few other professions that require specialized uniforms as well. Healthcare workers who work in the intensive care unit often wear a hazmat suit or PPE kit to ensure that no contamination takes place. Cleanroom and antistatic workers wear lint-free, static-dissipative fabrics. Glass manufacturers wear cut proof clothing. Nuclear plan worker wear protection gear to safeguard themselves against radiation.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Choosing a Workwear Manufacturer in India

Here are few things to keep in mind before choosing a workwear manufacturer in India -

Certification

The workwear manufacturers are required to have certain certifications to be able to make uniforms. For different types of uniforms, the manufacturer is required to have different certification. For example, IS 15741 registration is necessary to make flame resistant clothing; while IS 15809 certification is required to make high-visibility clothing. In India IS 4501 certification is required to make chemical-resistant clothing.

The Fabric Quality

The quality of the fabric is essential in making workwear; cheap nonbreathable fabrics can be extremely uncomfortable and might not be durable enough to last a long time.

Customizable Option

Every manufacturer should offer flexibility to make customizable options for the clients to choose from. The client should be able to properly brand their uniform whether by embroidery, screen-printing, or heat logo transfer. The manufacturer should also be able to provide gender-specific clothing as well. Lastly, there should be a few standard sizes for the employees of the client. This is an essential part of designing uniforms for the workers.

Production Capacity

The manufacturer should have production capacity to ensure that they can create bulk order in average production time. Sometimes these bulk orders can surpass 1000 pieces per unit. The manufacturer should have the capacity to ensure that they can deliver the order within the give timeline.

Minimum Order Quantity and Sampling

The manufacturer should be able to make small units for small businesses. Most manufacturers do not take orders if the order size is less than 100 pieces. For some manufacturers, the MOQ is around 1000 pieces per unit. Also, it is essential to be able to see a sample before ordering a full batch; a manufacturer refusing to give a sample or the sample product not matching the final product can be seen as a red flag.

Uniforms, do not only work as clothing material but protective layer for any worker; this is why special attention needs to be given to them. These are the few things that a company should keep in mind before ordering the uniform for their employees.