Comfort is key to correct use of electrical safety uniforms

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.

“The proportion wearing protective uniforms correctly is too low and must be addressed immediately in order to prevent deaths, serious injuries and significant damage to businesses across large UK industries.”

The research also explored the factors that would influence this. Almost half (47 per cent) of workers agreed that they would wear their uniform if it was more comfortable, with the top five factors that respondents said would make them want to wear their uniforms overall uncovered to be: more comfort, easier to get on and off, stretchier to facilitate a better range of movement, a better body fit, and more protective.

However, the questions directed to procurement and health and safety professionals responsible for selecting and providing uniforms in these industries highlighted a disconnect.

Protective features were selected by 57 per cent of the group as the most important factor in the uniform selection process, followed by durability (47 per cent) and cost (33 per cent). Just over a quarter (27 per cent) of uniform selectors said that comfort for the wearer would have the biggest impact on their choice.

Ward said: “This report connects what is stopping professionals from wearing their uniforms correctly, and what those selecting uniforms can do to rapidly increase wear rates, reducing the life-threatening risk of being unprotected from electrical hazards such as an arc flash.  

“Protective features must remain a high priority in uniform selection; however, the research illustrates that if comfort is not incorporated too, then developments won’t translate to better protected teams. There is choice within protective wear, there are garments that better suit the requirements of the workforce today – and suppliers…have an important role in making those options known across the industry.”

The survey involved gathering responses of 251 UK adults. These included 150 respondents that wear a protective uniform (for those working with live electricity); of which at least 50 respondents are electrical engineers; and 101 respondents that select uniforms, of which 50 respondents are procurement managers/directors, and 50 respondents have health and safety titles.

Research was carried out in January/February 2025.