Safety Workwear: Why Is It Important and What Are the Benefits?

When it comes to protecting your workforce, providing the correct health and safety workwear is essential. 

Safety workwear, or personal protective equipment (PPE), is designed to reduce the risk of workplace hazards. 

From logistics to waste management, employees across many sectors wear protective workwear.

Examples of PPE include:

• Gloves for hand protection
• Helmets for head protection 
• Safety goggles for eye protection
• Shoes and boots for foot protection
• Ear defenders for hearing protection

Not sure if your workforce needs PPE? You need to consider every possible risk.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PROVIDING PPE?

Let’s look at the key benefits of providing your team with the right health and safety workwear.

HOW CAN PPE HELP PREVENT INJURIES?

Safety workwear is specifically designed to stop people from getting hurt at work.

Workplace hazards vary, but not every team faces the same risks.

Common injuries that PPE can help avoid include: 

• Head injuries 
• Electric shocks
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Fire and chemical burns
• Cuts, scrapes, and grazes

Keep your team safe from preventable injuries by kitting them out in the right PPE for the job. 

HOW DOES PPE HELP YOU COMPLY WITH REGULATIONS?

UK businesses must provide safe workwear that meets Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards.

Whatever industry you are in, your PPE must be up to date with the latest regulations.

Failing to provide compliant workwear can result in fines and legal prosecution from the HSE. 

According to an HSE report, PPE can reduce the risk of workplace injuries by up to 90%. 

Make your team’s safety a priority and provide workwear that complies with current standards.

CAN SAFETY WORKWEAR IMPROVE YOUR REPUTATION? 

The right PPE can protect your workforce and boost your business’s reputation at the same time.

Make a good impression on future customers and employees by showing you value the wellbeing of your workforce. 

Benefits of providing safe workwear include: 

• Better customer reviews 
• Positive media coverage
• Better employee retention rates 
• Higher chance of attracting top talent to your team
• Recognition and awards from safety organisations  

DOES COMFORTABLE PPE BOOST PRODUCTIVITY? 

Yes, it does! When your team has access to PPE that keeps them safe, comfortable, and protected, they’re more likely to feel confident and focused throughout their shift.

After all, it’s hard to stay productive when you're worried about getting hurt.

CAN PPE HELP YOU SAVE MONEY?

An injury at work can cost your business money.

Costs may include:

• HSE fines
• Legal fees
• Medical fees
• Lost revenue
• Compensation
• Employee sick pay 

How do you avoid these extra costs?
Make sure all your team members are wearing the right PPE.

TYPES OF SAFETY WORKWEAR  

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to safety workwear. 

Head protection is important for construction workers, but you wouldn’t ask hospital staff to wear a helmet, would you?

Not sure where to begin when choosing safety workwear for your team?
We’re here to help!

WHAT ARE BALLISTIC TROUSERS, AND WHO USES THEM? 

Is your team at risk of getting hurt by sharp objects? Designed to absorb the force of shrapnel and other hazardous objects, ballistic trousers are a high-strength piece of PPE. 

Made from durable materials like Kevlar, these trousers are often worn by waste management workers. 

Ballistic trousers safety features: 

• Curved ballistic panel for extra coverage
• Teflon™ treated fabric to repel water and stains
• Combat-style thigh pockets, rear pocket, and deep-lined side pockets

WHY IS HI-VIS CLOTHING IMPORTANT?

Make sure your workers can be seen while they work with the help of high visibility (hi-vis) clothing. 

Hi-vis workwear is made with bright, reflective materials to keep your team safe and seen. 

Whether you work in the construction industry or road maintenance, high visibility clothing will protect your workforce from collisions and other accidents. 

Hi-vis workwear safety features: 

• Reflective tape 
• Increased visibility 
• Designs to offer protection to workers in various industries 

WHY IS SAFETY FOOTWEAR ESSENTIAL? 

When ordering PPE for your workforce, don’t forget about their feet. 

Without safety footwear, your team members are more likely to experience slips, falls, and crushing injuries. 

Safety boots, trainers, and shoes are made from strong and durable materials. Designed to meet HSE regulations, they give workers the protection and comfort they need. 

To protect your workforce with the right safety footwear, think about the job they do and their working environment.

Safety footwear features: 

• A – Antistatic
• C – Conductive
• P – Penetration resistance
• AN – Ankle protection
• M – Metatarsal protection
• WR – Water resistance
• CR – Cut-resistant upper
• HRO – Outsole resistance to hot contact
• I – Electricity insulating footwear
• WRU – Water penetration and water absorption upper

WHERE CAN YOU SOURCE COMPLIANT SAFETY WORKWEAR? 

At SMI, we’re more than just a supplier. We’re your single source partner for all your PPE needs, helping you protect your workforce from head to toe.

Here’s why businesses across the UK trust us:

• 97% stock availability - so you get what you need, when you need it
• Maximum 3-hour response time - because quick answers keep your team moving
• 5PM order cut-off for next-day delivery - helping you meet tight deadlines
• Own delivery fleet in key region - for reliable and flexible shipping
  
  

Struggling to manage multiple PPE orders from different suppliers?

We simplify the process, saving you time and hassle.

Partner with SMI for safety workwear that works as hard as your team does.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help.