Working in an industrial setting can be extremely risky, especially if you are working in specific industries, such as manufacturing, construction, chemical handling, healthcare, and so on. This is why it is recommended that workers wear proper safety uniforms to avert the risk.

Working without wearing a safety uniform can be extremely dangerous in some situations; for example, construction workers must wear helmets to prevent head injuries. Similarly, people who work with harsh chemicals need certain materials that can be resistant to harsh corrosive liquids.

Other than that, a lot of countries make it mandatory for companies to maintain certain safety standards. If the regulatory bodies find out that these companies are not in compliance with the safety guidelines, they might lose their license as well.

There are a lot of things to consider while making a safety uniform, from choosing the perfect material that is waterproof, heat-resistant, light, etc., to making sure that they are comfortable to work in regularly.

In this article, we will understand the basic features of safety uniforms and why they are essential in keeping a safe working environment.

Why are Safety Uniforms Important in the Workplace?

Here is why safety uniforms are important in the workplace -

Avert Life-Harming Risks

Safety uniforms provide defense against workplace hazards. For example, in manufacturing plants, the workers are often handling harsh chemicals, some of which are inflammable. This is why workers in such conditions must wear uniforms that are flame-resistant and self-extinguish within 2 seconds.

Heat-resistant uniforms help workers work in high heat for 2 to 4 hours without many problems. Workers can work in temperatures as high as 58°C. Workers working in places with low visibility, such as mines required to wear high visibility protection. Without proper vision clarity, these conditions can become extremely risky and an accident can turn out to be fatal.

Workers who work with harsh chemicals are required to wear materials that protect them from hazards. There are three different levels of chemical-resistant material available, level 3 being integrated with an air purifying respirator and level 1 being fully encapsulated.

Some material comes with arch flash protection; such uniforms are worn in industries where workers are required to work with high-voltage electricity. Lastly, there are shark bite-resistant suits for divers, bulletproof suits for people who work in the force, and fall protection suits that come with harness-compatible designs.

Regulations

Every country has its regulatory guidelines regarding workplace safety; safety uniforms are also part of regulatory guidelines. In India specifically, there is a comprehensive list of laws regarding safety uniforms.

All safety helmets and shoes must bear the ISI mark; failure to do so results in substandard quality. BIS gives products an ISI mark.  The Indian government has adopted many laws over the years to ensure proper working conditions here.

The Occupied Health, Safety, and Working Conditions Code (OSH Code) 2020 details all the safety instruments workers are required to have in order to work in a hazardous environment. Companies that violate the OSH code can be fined up to 3 lacs for the first violation, and five lacs and closure of business for repeat offences. The company owner may also face 2 years of imprisonment.

Cost Reduction

Although in the long run, being up to date with safety compliance can cost businesses more money. But the reality is far from the truth; with the introduction of safety uniforms, the companies pay way less in compensation; data shows a 70% reduction in fatal accidents. Companies save money on medical costs, compensation, legal penalties, insurance premiums, and so on. Due to injury, the company also loses productive days, and if they have to keep on training new hires, that will cost them more money as well. Lastly, in India, the government also incentivizes small to medium-sized companies if they comply with the safety guidelines.

Reputation of the Company

Most companies value their professionalism and work ethic highly. Having frequent accidents or dangerous working experience can seriously jeopardize the reputation of the company.  Having healthy working experience gives the clients the needed confidence, as they know that it is unlikely that the work will stop due to safety concerns, and they will get their order in time.

Things Manufacturers Should Keep in Mind Before Designing Safety Uniforms

The role of safety uniform manufacturer is quite important, productive protective uniforms for the workers. The manufacturer is required to adhere to strict guidelines while designing the perfect uniform. There are a few things they have to consider while crafting the perfect uniform that is not only safe to wear but also comfortable to work in.

Material

The material selection is vital in making safe work uniform; the material needs to be flame resistant, chemical-resistant and comfortable to wear in while working for long hours. For environments where the visibility might be low, the manufacturer needs make uniform with high visibility textile that can be seen from far.

Innovation

As a safety uniform manufacturer, it is essential that the company keeps on doing research and be updated with the current trends. By doing proper research on various textiles and materials, these manufacturers will be able to craft the perfect uniform to avert dangerous risks.

Durability

While making the uniform, the safety uniform manufacturer also needs to keep in mind that these uniforms are required to last for a long time. The durability of the uniform is crucial, as the worker will most probably wear it on a regular basis, and if it's not long-lasting, then it can cost the company a lot of money to replace it.

Customization

The manufacturing company is required to keep its needs in mind. Most safety uniform manufacturer will give the client company an option for customization where the client company can customize it as per their needs, make it of a specific color, add their logos and so on.

Safety uniforms provide workers with protection from life-threatening accidents; this is why they should be seen as a basic right. And companies that ignore these safety guidelines should be heavily fined, and the government should take a more proactive approach to ensure adherence to safety guidelines.