Guides & news

Decode the label before you buy. Clear comparisons of S3 and S7, water resistance, SRC and SR, plus practical advice for choosing your next safety boots.

Choosing a workplace first aid kit can be confusing. This guide explains what HSE and BSI labels mean, whether a British Standard kit is required, and how your first aid needs assessment helps you choose the right supplies.

A practical guide to choosing safety footwear, covering EN ISO 20345, S1–S7 ratings, slip resistance, toe caps, midsoles, waterproofing, fit, comfort and the best boot or shoe style for different jobs.

A practical guide to choosing respiratory protection, covering FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 masks, reusable respirators, filters, EN standards, face-fit testing, compatibility and maintenance.

Hearing protection should be selected using the workplace noise assessment. Reduce noise at source where possible, then specify the protection needed for the remaining exposure.

Eye protection must match the hazard and fit the wearer. Two clear lenses can look alike while providing different protection, so the product specification matters more than appearance.

Choose a safety helmet from the requirements of the task, then consider fit, accessories and day-to-day use. Colour and price are useful ordering details, but they do not establish the protection offered.

A conformity mark and a technical standard tell you different things. Understanding the distinction helps you ask better questions when buying personal protective equipment.

EN ISO 20471 is a standard for high-visibility clothing. The classification on the garment helps describe its visibility performance; it does not, by itself, tell you which item is appropriate for every workplace.

Print and embroidery offer different finishes. The best choice comes from the garment, artwork, intended use and the result you want to achieve.

Direct to Film printing provides a way to apply full-colour artwork to suitable garments. It is useful when a design needs printed detail, but the fabric and intended use still determine whether it is the right process.

A company logo can make a helmet easier to identify as part of your team’s kit. The helmet must first meet the requirements of the job, and any decoration needs to be suitable for that model.

This edited summary of Paul Smith’s November 2025 newsletter records its winter-workwear themes. References to that season’s demand and product promotions are historical.

The September 2025 edition explored how a consistent uniform can support a team’s identity. This archive summary retains the practical buying themes while removing time-sensitive sales claims.

The first Site Supply newsletter introduced the company’s approach to uniforms, workwear, PPE and garment branding. This edited archive summary preserves the main themes without presenting old service claims as a current quotation.

This is a refreshed summary of the October 2025 newsletter by Paul Smith. It records the themes of that edition; it is not a current promotion or a statement of stock availability.

The Site Supply Company began in 2002. This archive article marks its twentieth anniversary in 2022, rather than describing the company’s age today.

The right ear defender is the one that suits the assessed noise exposure, fits the wearer and works with the rest of their equipment. The highest rating is not automatically the best choice.

Work-related stress needs attention to how work is organised. Encouraging people to take care of themselves can help, but it should not shift responsibility for avoidable workplace pressures onto individuals.

Visible clothing can make a group easier to identify on an outing. It should support the organiser’s supervision and route planning, rather than be treated as a guarantee of safety.

Workwear needs to support the job and the person wearing it. Appearance matters, but practical details determine whether a uniform works throughout a shift.

A useful supplier relationship makes both the first order and the next replacement straightforward. Compare service details alongside the products and prices.

The best route for old workwear depends on its condition, contamination, branding and whether it was protective equipment. Sort the items before arranging collection.

Workwear should fit the person doing the job. Choosing a smaller size in a different cut does not always provide a comfortable or practical solution.

Two workplaces may need very different hi-vis clothing, even when the teams carry out similar jobs. Start with the actual environment and the approved requirements for the task.

The right hi-vis class comes from the workplace requirements and risk assessment. It cannot be selected reliably from a job title, garment colour or a general rule in a shopping guide.

Care instructions are part of the product specification. Following them helps preserve appearance and, for protective clothing, the features the wearer relies on.

A safety review should establish what is happening in the workplace, what needs attention and who will act. Use this short checklist to start a discussion with the person responsible for your arrangements.

Unsafe shortcuts are easier to challenge when the team understands the problem and has a workable alternative. The following examples are prompts for a site discussion, not substitutes for a task assessment.

Supporting mental health is an ongoing management responsibility. It works best when people know where to seek help and when avoidable pressures in the work are addressed.

A brand can help you find a consistent range, but the individual garment still needs to earn its place in your uniform. Compare products against the job rather than choosing on reputation alone.

A construction order should reflect the site rules and the work each person will perform. A general list of popular products is a starting point for discussion, not a specification for every site.

A team is more likely to feel supported when everyday problems are heard and dealt with. Start with the working experience rather than assuming a single event or purchase will improve morale.

A good branding order brings together the right garment, suitable artwork and an agreed finish. These are the questions worth resolving before production starts.

Work at height needs a suitable method, competent people and equipment selected for the task. Buying a ladder or harness is not a substitute for planning how the job will be completed.

Gloves that are useful for one task may be unsuitable for another. Start with the materials being handled, the type of contact and the dexterity the wearer needs.

The lowest unit price is only one part of a workwear budget. A useful comparison includes suitability, replacement frequency, laundering, branding and the cost of getting the wrong sizes.

Online learning can make it easier to organise knowledge-based training across shifts or locations. Its value depends on the course content, how people learn and whether the training matches the job.

High-visibility clothing has developed from simple conspicuity garments into a broad range of workwear designed around different jobs, climates and wearer needs.

There is no universal shopping list of PPE that makes every workplace safe. Start with the tasks and hazards, then identify what protection remains necessary after other controls are considered.

A useful conversation gives someone room to explain what is difficult and what support might help. Managers do not need to diagnose a condition to listen respectfully and address a work-related problem.

PPE can make a hot task more demanding. The response should be a planned review of the work and equipment, rather than removing protection while exposure continues.

Winter workwear needs to suit the job, the weather and the person wearing it. An insulated jacket is only one part of preparing a team for cold, wet conditions.

A good workwear order starts with a clear brief: what the team does, the protection required, the quantities and the date the kit is needed. Our catalogue brings clothing, footwear, PPE and branding options together to help you plan that order.

Well-planned branding makes a uniform easier to recognise and gives your team a consistent appearance. The strongest result starts with suitable clothing and a clear ordering brief.

Fall protection is a system, not a collection of independently chosen parts. Before buying a harness or lanyard, establish how the work will be carried out and who is competent to specify the equipment.

Hot weather changes what feels comfortable at work, but it does not remove the hazards that made protective clothing necessary. A summer kit review should consider both the task and the conditions.

This archive story looked at Ballisodare Bay Cycling Club in County Sligo and its decision to introduce more visible club clothing. It remains a useful example of involving wearers when choosing kit.