Difference between work wear and protective clothing
There is an important difference between work wear and protective clothing. The European legislator also makes this distinction. Work wear is not initially intended to protect the carrier. This is clothing that protects the production process. Think for example of clean clothes in an environment where food is being processed.
Protective Clothing is designed to protect the carrier. This is regarding harmful and even potentially risky influences such as:
• Cold, wind and rain
• Heat
• Dangerous substances (acids, bases, solvents, oils, chemicals)
• Hazardous conditions (such as cutting, sanding, static - and electrical
discharges, the risk of explosion)
• Radiation (such as UV and infra-red)
Standards
The requirements for protective clothing are legally defined in the EEC directive 89/686/EEC. In this directive European quality standards are indicated per clothing type. Per clothing type the particular standard can be found in overview of the standard (CEN/TRI5321) as well as the different levels of performance.
There are also special directives such as the SUCAM. This represents Selection, Use, Care and Maintenance. Therefore the various directives provide guidance on:
• Choice of the product
• How to use them
• The care
• Maintenance
Tags: what do all the symbols mean?
There will always be a label on protective clothing. On this you will find a variety of symbols and digit sequences. In the attached table you will see what these codes mean. You can then read in the descriptions of the various clothing types which code corresponds with which types of clothing.