Why Your PPE Supplier Should Be Visiting Your Site

If your supplier hasn’t set foot on site, how can they protect your people or business?

You usually end up with poor service, slow orders, and little communication.

When suppliers won’t visit, they can’t get to know your site, risks, PPE needs, or teams, which leads to little added value to your business.

For better service and PPE that fits the job, work with a supplier who visits your site.

Want to know?

• Why supplier site visits matter
• The cost of working with faceless suppliers
• How good PPE suppliers help you stay compliant 

Get it all and more here. 

WHAT IT COSTS WHEN YOUR SUPPLIER WON’T VISIT

When your PPE supplier can’t or won’t visit your site, communication breaks down. Then, the problems start piling up. 

You might notice:

• Poor partnership - You might get your PPE, but no real support.
• No innovation - Your supplier isn’t invested in your business growth.
• Zero transparency - No updates on stock, orders, or supply changes.
• Little understanding - Your risks and PPE needs are unclear and unmet.
• Inconsistent service - No reliability or accountability when things go wrong.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

When your supplier doesn't understand your site, risks, or what your teams do, things go wrong.

Who ends up footing the bill? Your business.

Here’s why:

• Returns and reorders waste time and money.
• More admin and less control slow everything down. 
• Incorrect sizing, fit, or PPE means teams waiting around.
• PPE that’s not fit for purpose risks safety and compliance.
• Errors, missed orders, and late deliveries cause frustration.
• A reactive PPE supply means you’re always playing catch-up.

Don’t let poor comms slow you down.  Find a PPE supplier who’ll visit - like SMI.

Got more than one supplier? 
Find out why having too many suppliers are draining your time and budget.

WHY ARE PPE SUPPLIER VISITS SO IMPORTANT?

Do you want fewer mistakes, better PPE, and a supplier who adds real value?

Then you need to find a UK supplier who’s willing to see your business in action. 

Site visits give suppliers a full picture of what you need to stay safe and compliant. 

Supplier visits lead to:

• Understanding of health and safety risks
• Better communication and less confusion
• A clear view of tasks, processes, and procedures
• Fewer mistakes and lower costs from smarter forecasting
• Consistent service, better PPE quality, and stronger support
• Smarter PPE for better fits, inclusive sizing, and seasonal options

THINK PARTNERSHIPS, NOT JUST PRODUCTS

Site visits don’t just make PPE ordering easier - they’re the building block of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). 

They help build a supplier relationship that brings:

• Trust and accountability with your team
• Fresh ideas to help your business grow
• ESG transparency and advice to support your goals
• Custom catalogues and stock plans based on real needs
• Quick response times because they understand your work

Need a better supplier relationship?
Call us on 0330 441 3500 or drop us a message to book a site visit.

ENSURE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

As an employer, it’s your legal duty to supply safe, suitable, and compliant PPE.

But your supplier - and where they source their PPE from - plays a big part in that.

Site visits help your supplier understand your compliance risks, so they can help you avoid them.

This includes making sure you meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425, the legal safety standard for PPE used in the UK and EU.

That means:

• Only supplying UKCA or CE-marked PPE
• Providing a declaration of conformity with every product
• Ensuring usage instructions are clear and easy to follow

PARTNER WITH SMI - A SUPPLIER WHO SHOWS UP

At SMI, we won’t just send you PPE and hope that it’s right. 

We won’t just visit your site either.

We work with you to build a smarter, safer and simpler workwear and PPE programme.

Here’s how:

• No surprises - Just consistent service and quality.
• Site visits as standard - Not just catalogue deliveries.
• Key account manager - Who responds when you need them. 
• Tailored to you - Custom catalogues and controls suited to you.
• Fewer orders - Get all your PPE in one place with 25K+ products.

Here’s how a single source supplier makes operations smoother.

NEED ADVICE?

Send us a message, or give us a call on 0330 441 3500.

FAQs

What PPE is required for site visits?

What your team needs depends on your site, safety risks, and the work being done on site.

Here’s some essentials:

• Gloves
• Goggles
• Hard hats
• Hi-vis vests
• Safety boots

A UK supplier who visits can help you decide what staff, visitors, and contractors need.

Discover ‘9 types of PPE to prevent work-related injuries’.

What inspection should be done on PPE?

Even if it looks in good working order on the surface, regularly check all PPE on site for:

• Expiry dates
• Damage or faults
• Signs of wear and tear

It’s important to know how long your PPE actually lasts.

Are visitors required to wear PPE?

Yes. Everyone on site, including guests and contractors, must wear the correct PPE.

Ask your PPE supplier if they can provide visitor PPE packs and spare stock.

Who is responsible for supplying PPE on site?

The employer is always responsible for supplying PPE.

Staff and visitors should never be expected to buy their own.

That said, your supplier can help you source, track, and cut costs with PPE bulk orders.

Browse our full PPE and workwear options today. We offer everything in one place.