Get covered correctly

We chat to Buffy Rottcher, product and business development manager at uvex Safety South Africa, about the company’s chemical-resistant personal protective equipment (PPE).

Rottcher starts by highlighting information and education as critical when selecting chemical-resistant PPE. “Consult an expert and get the correct information not only on disposable coveralls, but on all PPE,” he says. “Offering the cheapest option may have devastating long-lasting repercussions on the disposable coverall wearer’s health if the correct product has not been selected.”

What chemical-resistant PPE does uvex offer?

We manufacture numerous disposable protective clothing garments that offer protection from light liquid splashes to hazardous chemicals and radioactive material.

Which of these are your most popular products?

It depends on the application and environment that the wearer finds themself in, but generally we find that the Type 5/6 classes remain the most popular suits.

How has the industry changed over the years?

The uvex product development team constantly improves on materials, designs, features, and benefits to meet the ever-increasing needs of wearers, ensuring the best possible protection.

The global pandemic has certainly increased the focus on protective clothing, with innovation and safety being at the forefront.

What should a customer consider when buying chemical-resistant PPE?

For optimum protection, the breakthrough times of chemical permeation must be considered for all protective coveralls.

Wearers must know what they are protecting against, whether the PPE is fit for purpose and whether the protective clothing has undergone the required permeation tests according to EN and ISO standards.

The breakthrough times of specific chemicals are found in the technical datasheets or on the uvex chemical expert system, ensuring that the correct disposable coverall is supplied.

Are there any trends within this segment that you are excited about?

Yes, new materials are being researched to reduce the overall weight and increase the durability of disposable coveralls, whilst offering even higher levels of protection.

What challenges face the chemical-resistant PPE market?

We find that there remains a huge lack of knowledge of “when, where, what, and how” disposable protective clothing is utilised in the PPE industry.

How is uvex overcoming these challenges?

Interaction with a trained expert in the field of disposable protective clothing should always be considered. Wearers should not take their safety for granted – they should engage with reputable and reliable manufacturers with experience in the protective clothing market.

Our staff are trained to identify and recommend suitable protection based on the information supplied by the employer or wearer, thus ensuring proper protection.

Customers should make use of training to ensure that the correct suit is being used, that it is being donned correctly, and that it is being disposed of appropriately.

What does the future hold for PPE in this segment?

Currently, the disposable protective clothing industry has a responsibility to design and produce not only a garment that protects people, but one that also protects the planet. We would like to see the development of a truly disposable garment with little to no impact on the environment, using sustainably-sourced materials but not compromising on user safety.