This month we take a look at what’s leading the way in personal protective equipment (PPE), the impact COVID-19 has had on suppliers and manufacturers, and what the future might look like.
THE ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of effective personal protective equipment (PPE) and brought it into the public consciousness in a way that at one time would have seemed unimaginable. With that in mind, essentialARB reached out to a number of manufacturers and distributors to get their take on what’s at the forefront of innovation in PPE right now, how the industry and businesses have reacted in this time of crisis, and what the ‘new normal’ might look like with regard to PPE.
Neil Thomas, commercial manager for Carlisle-based forestry, arboricultural and agricultural equipment wholesaler, Workware, said that while the COVID-19 pandemic had proven challenging for the business and its customers, it met the challenge head-on by keeping its warehouse fully operational (while following the latest government safety and best practice guidelines to protect staff) and ensuring that customers received orders when they needed them.
“From the first day of lockdown we focused on providing the best service possible for our customers which included free shipping on all orders and offering a direct to consumer delivery service which still is open to all our customers,” Neil said.
He noted a “massive” increase in demand for its Hendon Ladders range of tripod ladders recently, from both professional and home users. “I suspect that the current lockdown situation is driving this demand with people working in their gardens and homes as they have more time on their hands. We have seen expediential traffic to the Hendon Ladders website throughout April,” he said.
Looking ahead, Neil thinks COVID-19 will completely change the PPE landscape, with “additional levels of PPE being required to protect not only from machinery and the environment but from each other”.
“If there are any positives to draw from the COVID-19 crisis it is that the industry will adapt to new practices and there will be increased innovation from PPE suppliers to meet this changing environment. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted more than ever the need for PPE traceability, quality of manufacturing, secure and reliable supply chains, and a much better understanding of standards generally by users.”
Neil also remarked that the way companies sell and interact with customers is changing, and the current crisis has only reinforced this. In response, Workware is investing heavily in its online infrastructure to better serve its client base.
Workware stocks a number of innovative PPE solutions including its own-brand Simarghu harnesses, which have been designed with both a male and female fit. “Both designs have the patent-pending technology and original ‘Lower Multi Ring System’, which has proved to be a real industry game changer. The system makes the harness infinitely adjustable, with multiple attachment points allowing for up to three rope bridges at any one time,” explained Neil.
“We also have new products in the pipeline which are near their end of development but can’t reveal too much at present. Our industry now more than ever needs to focus on standards, traceability, and quality of PPE available. One innovative feature of both harnesses is the integrated RFD chip which can be used in combination with Safe Inspector Software available for both Android and iPhone users. This allows individuals and organisations to track equipment history and perform inspections on- and offline with information stored securely on cloud-based servers.”
Workware also recently took on the Solidur brand, which focuses on forest apparel, including CE-approved trousers, jackets, and gloves. Neil said: “The timing of the partnership with Solidur was excellent as we add more to our arb offering through Simarghu, which perfectly complements Solidur.
“We have been massively impressed with the quality and innovation with new products being released later this year; everything you would expect from a brand with over 70 years of heritage. We are also investing heavily in marketing the brand in the UK and supporting our retailers with tailored marketing plans.”
Andrew Hunter, managing director of Lockerbie-based importer and distributor of outdoor PPE, clothing, and equipment, Outwear, said the business had seen a big increase in requests for hygiene-based products such as face masks, face covers, gloves and facial shields during the pandemic.
“This is in response to the guidance from the governments across the UK,” explained Andrew. “Although the advice is focused on public transport and shops, many employers recognise that their teams may need to share a vehicle or will be working together on site. Often this new PPE is being bought to put both employees’ and customers’ minds at ease and to demonstrate that they are doing their best to keep people safe. We have tried to educate customers about the benefit of reusable items both in terms of ongoing expenditure and also the environmental benefit.”
Outwear was quickly able to source all of the products from existing and new suppliers in response to this surge in demand, Andrew said.
“Pfanner and Protos in particular have developed some new face masks and clip-on clear visors to support the sector. The clip-on clear visor attaches to the front of existing forestry/arb visors to create a face shield to help keep workers safe during the pandemic.”
He went on: “When the crisis started, we wanted to support front line organisations and knew that we were able to find PPE that they couldn’t with our network of suppliers. As we have transitioned from supplying front line organisations to other businesses, the challenge has been processing high volumes of smaller orders compared to a small number of large orders. Predicting how much to order has been our biggest challenge and a risk to our own cashflow. We are pleased that our supply of FFP2 masks is secure and reliable.”
Andrew highlighted a number of innovative PPE products stocked by Outwear, including the aforementioned Protos clip-on clear visor, which enhances a Protos mesh visor into a clear visor while still retaining the impact protection.
He continued: “The Pfanner reversible mask is a very comfortable, reusable mask that can be washed time and time again. It fits snugly around the nose, mouth and chin and has an additional strap at the rear to keep it securely in place.
“Woolpower’s neck tubes are fantastic due to being made from merino wool so they are comfortable to be worn for prolonged periods. The big advantage is that despite being made from wool they can be washed at 60 degrees Celsius to sterilise after use.
“The Nanoshield visor is a great innovation. It allows a face shield to be attached to a baseball cap or sun visor to enable someone to work in a retail or customer-facing environment and communicate with customers. Being able to see someone’s smile is still an important part of the customer relationship.”
Protos helmets continue to be increasing in demand as well, Andrew said. “Customers are used to spending £200 on their chainsaw trousers and boots and are now recognising that the value of the Protos is exceptional when you consider it is protecting your most valuable asset, your head. With the BT-Coms, integrated safety glasses, clear visor options and many other accessories, it can be equipped for any mission, including providing safety during the current pandemic. The Protos really stands out in a crowded safety helmet market.”
Communications systems also seem to be increasingly popular, Andrew noted: “Our Protos BT-Com is a four-user Bluetooth communication system that enables four team members to communicate safely at work. It simply clips into the ear defender bracket of the helmet with no wiring or clamps so is a very safe system to use and is charged via USB. Bluetooth is not normally used for communication but the advantage over radio is the communication is more like a conversation between all four people and is secure between the linked users.”
Andrew believes that, going forward, the cost of PPE will continue to be a big factor in decision-making. He explained: “For many years, the focus has been on reducing the price and this has of course driven the production to the cheapest manufacturers. Single-use, throwaway items are likely to still be bought on price. When a product is of premium quality and offers something unique or something that addresses a problem, I think that customers will pay a fair price.
“With our range of brands offering innovative, premium products I hope that buyers will look at the whole-life value of a product and not just the initial outlay. In terms of stringent requirements, we have not encountered any problems with our premium ranges as they have been manufactured to be the best PPE that they can, rather than being designed just to pass a test.”
Paul Verhelst, business development manager for Belgian protective clothing manufacturer SIP Protection (distributed in the UK through wholesaler Fletcher Stewart), is of the view that it is difficult to stay innovative when it comes to PPE. He explained: “Innovation must bring an advantage to the user and not just be a good marketing story to tell.”
SIP Protection has observed a growing interest from people initially resistant to chainsaw PPE, mainly amongst occasional users, Paul said. This has resulted in the launch of SIP Protection’s BasePro Roadrunner chaps. He explained: “We have launched the BasePro Roadrunner chaps, which already meet the requirements of the new EN ISO 11393 Chainsaw Standard that will replace the current EN 381 Chainsaw Standard. The previously called Design B protection surface has been replaced in EN ISO 11393 by the chaps.”
Suited to quick jobs, the chaps use buckles and are designed to be put on and removed quickly and easily over regular trousers, making them “perfect for the occasional user or the landscaper who just has an incidental need for chainsaw protection”.
There has also been a rise in demand for high visibility in Europe, Paul added, with SIP Protection introducing a high-vis version of its Keiu waterproof jacket.
With regard to the COVID-19 fallout, Paul said: “I believe we work in an industry with a number of advantages; our users work outside most of the time, and social distancing happens rather automatically when handling a chainsaw.
“We have had demands but Sioen Industries, the company behind SIP Protection, has decided not to manufacture face masks. It’s not our business, and it requires time-consuming certification in order to meet the standards. We’ll leave the specialists to it.”
Paul continued: “That does not mean we haven’t done anything as a company. One of our plants (Sioen Technical Felts) is producing six million filters for masks for the Belgian government. Another plant (Dimension-Polyant, a leader in sailcloth) is providing manufacturers with fabrics for face shields and gowns, and we have supplied many thousands of Flexothane garments from our stocks for use by nurses and care staff in rest homes.”
After COVID-19, what are the long-term implications for PPE? Paul reckons: “We’ll have to see what the medical responses will be, and how long this will affect our lives, but I find it hard to believe that we are going to handle a chainsaw with a face mask or we will evolve to a society where after a day’s work we’ll walk into a disinfection shower.
“I think on the choice of PPE, the market will move further towards either money-saving products, or more expensive but more durable quality garments.”
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