Choosing the right protective apparel

While there are many different protective suits on the market, not all meet the same performance standards. Faced with a bewildering choice, what criteria should buyers use to ensure they select the right protective suit for the right application?

When evaluating the qualities of a suit for a particular job, industrial safety and economic factors will both play an important role in the final decision.

Protective barrier

Without doubt, the most important consideration is the suit’s protective barrier. The material from which the suit is made must be proven to offer protection against all the hazardous substances to which the wearer could be exposed. Because buyers find it difficult to evaluate a suit’s protective qualities, they generally depend on the information provided by the manufacturer or supplier.

In evaluating the level of protection offered by a garment, the following questions should be considered.

• Is detailed information on the level of protection offered by the garment available?
• To what extent can users rely on this information?
• How trustworthy are the manufacturers and suppliers?
• Does the manufacturer or supplier support its claims with appropriate test data? (A simple declaration of conformity is not enough.)
• How comprehensive is the information package overall?
• Is training offered?
• Is it easy for the user to obtain more information on the level of protection offered?

Quality

In addition to the quality of the material used in the suit, the quality of workmanship is extremely important. Criteria here include seams, sizing and quality control.

Buyers should check seams carefully, bearing in mind the following criteria:

• Are the seams as tight and solid as the suit material itself?
• Does the stitching conform to established barrier and quality guidelines?

With regard to sizing, the size of the suit should correspond to the appropriate size code. Don’t make assumptions: some suits are cut much smaller than their size code would indicate, making them uncomfortable for the wearer and putting undue strain on the fabric and seams. At the other end of the scale, protective clothing which is cut too big increases the risk of accidents caused by the garment catching on something, the wearer tripping up, or tearing when stress is placed on unpredictable areas of the material, such as when the wearer kneels down. In the area of quality control, the user must be able to rely on the quality of workmanship as stated by the manufacturer. Verifiable test data from the manufacturer helps make the selection process easier.

Comfort

A good fit ensures a protective suit is both comfortable and capable of affording adequate protection to the wearer. Poorly fitting garments run an increased risk of tearing and restrict movement, which can adversely affect the wearer’s ability to carry out their work. Since a good fit is largely the result of a well-designed suit, buyers should evaluate a suit according to the following criteria:

• Does the hood move when the head is turned?
• Does the suit still provide a close fit when the head is in motion?
• Does the chin flap fit properly, and does it extend far enough?
• Does the design offer enough room to move?
• Are elasticated sections sufficiently durable and flexible to ensure the suit fits easily over the turnbacks of protective gloves or boots?
• Is the suit easy to put on and take off?
• Does the zip fastener work properly? (Does not stick and moves freely.)

The material from which the suit is made will also play an important part in its comfort. Buyers should consider the following points:

Feel: Is the surface of the material kind to the skin and does it feel pleasant? As a general rule, smooth surfaces tend to rate less favourably than nap surfaces.

Flexibility: Flexible, thin materials are generally more user-friendly than rigid, inflexible fabric.

Weight: The lighter the suit, the more comfortable it tends to be.

Air permeability: While materials which are permeable to the air are generally more comfortable because moisture and body heat can be wicked away more quickly, the barrier effect of these materials is much lower, making them unsuitable for many applications.

Physical properties

Many applications demand properties other than barrier performance from a protective suit, such as tear resistance and wear resistance. In cleanrooms, the pharmaceutical industry and the food industry, for example, the lint-free quality of the suit’s fabric is paramount. In such cases, the ability of the manufacturer to provide informative data about the garment, supported by tests, is important.

In addition, the cut and design of the suit, the seam strength and stitching technology used, the surface quality of the material and, last but not least, reliable manufacturing quality should all form part of the selection criteria.

Comfort

While economics obviously play an important role in every business decision, when it comes to issues of health and - in extreme cases - human life, cost should not be the primary factor determining the choice of protective garment. Higher barrier protection and higher quality workmanship generally demand a more expensive fabric and more costly manufacturing process, which translates into a more expensive suit. Safety doesn’t come free.

Choice of suit, therefore, should never be based on price alone: rather, the overall cost should be compared with the overall benefit, and product comparisons carried out on this basis. From an economic point of view, it’s also worth noting that well-made disposable protective suits are generally extremely durable. Clear product labelling and identification, delivery service and delivery times, readily available product advice and user support are all important factors in the decision-making process.