)
closing the PPE knowledge gap
Discover our latest report on the lack of workwear safety knowledge within the utilities industry, along with proactive steps to close the PPE knowledge gap
beyond regulation: knowledge as the key to protection
Protective clothing saves lives—but only if it’s understood, trusted, and worn consistently.
We wanted to look beyond regulation and ask: do wearers and selectors have the knowledge they need to make PPE effective every day?
By speaking to both groups, we’ve uncovered opportunities to improve education, procurement practices, and the flow of feedback that connects workers with those responsible for keeping them safe.
"Advances in comfort, durability and usability are helping to ensure staff wear their PPE consistently and correctly. PPE is a vital layer of protection, alongside training, safe systems of working and a safety-focused workplace culture."
Jamie Reeve – Head of Safety, Health and Environment at Energy Networks Association
what’s inside the report?
- Unique data from 250+ uniform wearers and selectors from industries working with live electricity
- What workers really understand about their protective uniforms (hint: you should be concerned)
- How selectors approach procurement, and where knowledge gaps can affect safety
- Bridging the communication gap between wearers and selectors to educate and promote safer working practices
- The importance comfort and fit when it comes to safer workwear use – could it improve wear rates?
- Exclusive commentary from industry and compliance leaders, including Energy Networks Association and the BSI
key findings
See the data. Know the answers. Trust the solutions.
1 in 5 wearers
don’t know the risks associated with not wearing their uniform
Only 27% of uniform selectors
look for high ELIM ratings when considering new workwear
> 2/3 of uniform selectors
feel up to date with developments in protective garments
why this research is so important
At alsico, we’ve spent decades designing and manufacturing protective garments, but this is almost obsolete if workers don’t know how to wear their uniforms – or if those selecting them don’t understand what workers need to keep them safe.
Through the alsico academy, we continuously test, listen, and learn to create innovative workwear with optimal wearer protection – because protection doesn’t stop at compliance. But it always starts with insight.
This report, as well as our previous one discussing the important balance of comfort and safety in workwear, reflects our mission to break down barriers, set higher standards and shape a future where protection and wearability go hand in hand.
True protection only happens when garments are worn – and that starts by asking why it isn’t and how we can change that.
"When decision-makers fully understand what these ratings mean in practice and how they directly affect employee safety, compliance becomes more than a formality - it becomes an active commitment to protecting workers."
David Ward – Technical Development Manager at alsico UK
who is this report for?
This report is a must-read for anyone responsible for PPE in high-risk sectors:
- Health & Safety professionals
- Procurement leaders and buyers
- Operational teams managing uniform compliance
- Uniform specialists and technical consultants
If your role involves selecting, supplying, or influencing what your teams wear — this is for you.
)
New Arc Flash Clothing Range
designed for protection. engineered for comfort.
After extensive research, rigorous testing, and thoughtful design, alsico is proud to announce the launch of a new arc flash clothing range. Setting a new benchmark in arc flash protection, this collection combines cutting-edge fabric technology, wearer-focused design, and meticulous attention to detail.
trust built on nearly 100 years of expertise
Experience matters when selecting protecting clothing. With close to a century of designing and manufacturing workwear, alsico has become a trusted partner for industries requiring the highest standards of safety and performance.
By producing our own fabrics, maintaining stringent testing protocols, and owning every step of production, we deliver a reliable supply chain that keeps your workforce safe and comfortable.
read the report today
Get exclusive access to the latest findings in PPE wear rates, knowledge and compliance, and discover if workwear is really keeping workers safe in electrical industries.
learn more about the environments we supply into
Environments
wearer protection
Protection is weaved into every part of alsico, we build it into everything we do and it drives our every decision. Our protective workwear range covers all high-safety sectors.
Environments
healthcare
We are one of the largest healthcare uniform suppliers in the UK, and are the majority supplier for the new NHS National Healthcare Uniform project.
Environments
workwear
At alsico, we have shown excellence in a wide range of work uniforms, ranging from warehousing to global travel companies and from transportation to construction.
Environments
electrification
Our passion for creating innovative fabrics has positioned us as a key supplier in the exciting new sector of electrical safety clothing, from battery companies to aerospace, to all anti-static environments.
Environments
contamination control
We have developed a specialism in cleanroom clothing and uniforms, delivering exceptional performance in highly controlled environments.
Environments
emergency response
We are always honored to be asked to provide workwear for our emergency services teams. We put our trust in them to help to look after us, and we do our very best in return, delivering performance when it matters.
