Product Facts

WHEN THE RISKS
ARE REAL, THE
ANSWERS NEED
TO BE CLEAR

Workwear and PPE must do more than meet standards on paper. They need to provide reliable protection, day after day.

We help safety managers and purchasing teams turn risk assessments into informed decisions on protective clothing, safety footwear and gloves, with the product knowledge and documentation to back them up.

WHAT WE HELP YOU
GET RIGHT

HOW TO MATCH PPE PROTECTION TO WORKPLACE RISKS

We help match risks, tasks and wearer needs to the right product category, standard and level of protection. The risk assessment and the decision on whether PPE is required, remain your responsibility.

DOCUMENTATION YOU CAN USE

Standards, certifications and Declarations of Conformity should be easy to understand, verify and communicate internally.

PROTECTION THAT WORKS IN PRACTICE

Fit, use, washing and repairs can all affect how PPE performs. We support wearer trials and provide clear guidance to help keep protection working as intended.

Risk assessment for PPE selection

A standard tells you what a product has been tested against. It cannot tell you which protection your workplace needs.

Start with the hazards. Traffic, low light, heat, flame, arc flash, slips, cuts, cold and wet conditions can all place very different demands on PPE.

We don’t do the risk assessment for you. We can help turn it into a practical product range, from defining the requirements to product selection and review.

Global reach, local knowledge

For large companies, the challenge is often to maintain a consistent approach across sites and countries while meeting local requirements and interpretations.

Blåkläder combines an international product range and in-house expertise with local teams. That makes it easier to maintain a consistent approach across the business without losing sight of local requirements.

Flame-resistant & multinorm:
when risks overlap

Heat, flame, arc flash, electrostatic, and hi-vis requirements may all apply at the same time. In those environments, choosing a garment simply because it is flame-resistant is not enough.

Flame-resistant and multinorm clothing must match the actual work environment, with the right materials, certifications, and combination of protective properties.

In an arc-flash incident, certified garments protect against the thermal hazard: the heat generated by the arc. They do not protect against voltage, pressure waves or metal splashes. Selection therefore depends on a clear risk assessment and a proper understanding of what each standard covers.

Safety footwear:
protection has to work for the wearer

Safety footwear should protect against workplace hazards without creating new problems. Puncture resistance, toe protection and grip all matter, but the shoe also has to fit properly. Poor fit can place unnecessary strain on the feet, knees and back.

That is why we develop safety footwear for the demands of a full working day, combining stability, cushioning, grip and fit with documented protection. Getting the right shoe from the outset reduces unsuitable choices and unnecessary replacements, and makes it more likely that the protection is used as intended.

Gloves:
right glove, right task, right fit

Gloves are among the items of PPE that are used, replaced and worn out most often. So ‘almost right’ is not good enough.

A glove must match the risk, the task, and the wearer. The wrong size can reduce grip and dexterity and compromise protection. Restricting the size range may look cost-effective on paper, but it can quickly become a false economy if it leads to poor fit, unnecessary wear or gloves not being worn.

We help you choose the right glove in the right size for the job, improving protection and compliance while reducing waste.

Durability that supports both sustainability and safety

For protective clothing, durability is not just a sustainability issue. Service life also depends on how well the garment maintains its function over time.

Materials, construction, care, and documentation all influence how long a product remains safe to use. We therefore focus on durable materials, clear care instructions and documentation that makes it easier to check performance over time.

When questions come up, the evidence needs to be there.

MATERIAL CHOICES THAT MATTER

Knowing what goes into protective workwear matters for both the people wearing it and the environment. By the end of 2024, Blåkläder had phased out all PFAS from new workwear production, which means that since 2025, no new PFAS have been introduced into our value chain. Previously manufactured garments containing PFAS may still be available in stock during a transition period.

PPE care and washing instructions

Protective garments perform as intended only when used, washed, and cared for correctly. If you don’t follow the care instructions, the level of protection may be affected.

Dirt can reduce the visibility of hi-vis garments, while contamination can affect flame-resistant clothing. Repair damaged garments correctly or take them out of use.

Choosing the right garment is only the start. Proper care helps keep the protection working as intended.

THE NUMBER OF WASHES IS NOT AN EXPIRY DATE

Where a protective garment states a number of washes, that figure shows the number of wash cycles after which its protective properties have been evaluated.

It does not mean the garment automatically becomes unusable after that number of washes, nor does it guarantee that the garment will remain safe until then. Damage, wear and contamination may mean it needs replacing sooner.

Judge the garment by its condition, use and care, not the wash count alone.

INDUSTRIAL LAUNDERING HAS TO MATCH THE PROCESS

Garments marked for industrial laundering are designed to be professionally laundered in line with their care instructions. EN ISO 15797 is a test method, not a certification, and real laundry processes can differ from the test conditions. Garments may therefore need to be trialled in the actual process before it is adopted.

We help you identify what needs to be checked before the process is introduced.

Branding must not compromise protection

Applied incorrectly, logos, transfers, embroidery and repairs can affect the performance of a protective garment. Branding must therefore be treated as part of the PPE specification, not an afterthought.

On hi-vis garments, the size and position of branding are critical. On flame-resistant garments, alterations and branding must use verified methods and materials.

We help you get the branding right, so your company identity stays visible without compromising protection.

Why PPE comfort and fit matter for workplace safety

PPE that isn’t worn cannot protect anyone. Fit, comfort and freedom of movement are therefore safety considerations, not nice-to-haves.

Giving employees the chance to try different sizes and models helps them find the right product for the job, making correct use more likely while reducing wrong orders and returns.

For large organisations, wearer trials can become a practical part of the safety process.

NEED TO GET THE
PPE SELECTION RIGHT?

When the work environment places high demands on PPE, we help you choose the right protection based on risk assessment, standards, fit and care. Together, we create a solution that works for the wearer and is easy to review over time.

See where quality makes the difference

Get personal guidance from a Blåkläder sales rep and have them review your company’s workwear.

Book a workwear review