Which workwear protective clothing is best?

Protective clothing is essential for many trades. From overalls to PPE, boots to belts and helmets to harnesses, we’ve compiled a handy article to discuss the best workwear protective clothing available.

What protective clothing do I need for my trade?

Different trades carry out different types of work. Therefore, individual trades need different types of protective workwear.

Some common types of workwear and the trades most in need of them include:

• Overalls (painters, drainage, landscapers etc)

• Fire retardant clothing (i.e. boiler technicians)

• Chemical resistant clothing (i.e. plumbers, pest control etc)

• Knee pads (i.e. roofers, builders, bricklayers etc)

The type of protective workwear you need will also be influenced on your working location. For example, what landscapers wear to work will be very different to electricians.

Protective workwear for different working locations

Any traders will know that some working environments are more hazardous than others.

As a general guide, the following working environments will need certain protective clothing:

• Working at height (ladders, scaffolds, platforms) – helmets, harnesses, gloves

• Roadworks – high vis jackets, waterproof trousers, jackets, and boots

• Live environments (commercial buildings, offices etc.) – visible clothing, branded workwear

• Construction sites – steel toe capped boots, all weather trousers, and waterproof coats

As a tradesperson, you will be the best person to know what protective clothing you need. For example, you'll need different PPE as a plumber than you would as an electrician.

As an example, welders will require protective gloves and goggles. Warehousing operatives may require gloves and protective boots.

One item of protective clothing that unites most trades is high visibility workwear.

What garments are used as protective clothing?

Any item of clothing that is designed to protect against workplace accidents are essentially being used as protective clothing.

General items such as jackets, boots, and trousers are viewed as protective clothing in certain industries.

More specific examples of protective clothing include:

• Steel toes capped boots

• Trousers with built-in knee pads

• High visibility jackets

• Helmets

• Harnesses

• Utility belts

Some trades that work with dangerous chemicals such as plumbers and pest control specialists may require customised protective equipment such as masks and boiler suits to safely complete their jobs.

Protective workwear clothing: High vis jackets

High vis jackets with reflective bands can save lives. They are worn by all sorts of tradespeople and are essential for anyone working with dangerous equipment, machinery, or in a live environment.

All good workwear companies will stock high visibility items. From overalls to jackets and hats, wearing high vis clothing is now an essential part of workplace safety.

Member discounts with Checkatrade workwear partners

At Checkatrade, we offer all our members discounts on protective workwear from some of the industry’s leading brands.

To give you an idea of what’s on offer, we have partnerships with the following brands:

• Selco

• Tradepoint

• Wickes

All these companies supply tradespeople with high quality protective clothing.

They are respected across various industries and the quality of their garments is always of a high standard.

What about personalised PPE and protective clothing?

There are specialist trade suppliers who offer a wide range of workwear protective clothing. Much of it can be personalised with branding and logos.

For example, things you could add to your PPE:

• Your company name

• Your branding or logos

• Your contact details

• Your affiliations or trade association memberships

• A Checkatrade logo if you're one of our members

All of these personalisations helps to promote your business when your team are out and about. Having high quality workwear and protective clothing highlight your skills and professionalism.

If you thought that protective workwear was just about keeping you safe, think again.

FAQs

What are the best workwear brands in the UK?

There are lots of high-quality workwear brands in the UK. Ultimately your choice will come down to factors such as durability, price and comfort.

Have a read of our best brands for workwear article for more information.

Is workwear classed as PPE?

Only clothing that meets special EN standard health and safety requirements is officially classed as PPE.

This may include clothing that is specially designed to provide protection against flame and chemical exposure.

General workwear, however, even if it does not provide specialist protection, will provide far more protection than standard clothing.

How do I choose the best workwear?

Choosing the best workwear will depend on the type of work you do. The following checklist will give you a guide to some things to consider when choosing protective workwear.

• Working environment

• Temperature

• Chemical exposure

• Physicality of work

• Features of clothing

• Visual appearance

• Job requirements

• Comfort

If you consider all these points before selecting protective workwear, you’ll have a far greater chance of choosing the best workwear for you and your team.

Content disclaimer: This content has been created for general information purposes and should not be taken as formal advice. Read our full disclaimer here.