Comfort is key to correct use of electrical safety uniforms - report

The new report - Are comfort and safety mutually exclusive? Improving wear rates of protective uniforms - examines the extent to which uniforms are being provided but not worn correctly, and is based on research commissioned by the workwear specialist this year.

It was revealed that 40 per cent of the group working in environments with electrical systems agreed to always wearing every part of the uniform they are provided with. A quarter (26 per cent) of the overall group also agreed that they choose to wear their own clothes at work, and 19 per cent said they continue to do so despite being aware of the danger it puts them in.

In a statement, David Ward, technical development manager at Alsico and report author, said: “Health and safety regulations for the modern workplace are stricter than they have ever been, but workers are still choosing to wear their uniforms incorrectly, or in some cases not at all – genuinely putting their lives at risk. This issue is wide reaching, spanning roles including… electrical engineers and power plant workers, so reaching nationwide consensus on how uniforms must be worn and what will make that happen is paramount.