rail PPE & protective clothing

Specialist protective equipment and clothing for the rail industry.

Rail workers face multiple risks, from arc flash and burns to low visibility and adverse weather. At alsico, we supply compliant protective clothing tailored to the rail industry, including hi-vis, flame-resistant, anti-static, and arc flash PPE to keep teams safe and procurement simple.

rail industry

comprehensive protection for hazards in the rail industry

Rail environments present a complex mix of hazards, often occurring at the same time. From working near electrified overhead lines and third rail systems to the risk of arc flash, fire and heat, rail teams need protection that performs reliably in high-risk conditions.

Add moving vehicles, confined spaces, and poor lighting into the equation, and visibility becomes just as critical as protection.

At alsico, we understand the realities of rail work. We design multi-standard PPE that supports compliance, enhances wearer safety, and helps rail employers meet their ongoing safety obligations — without compromise.

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speak to an industry expert

Get in touch with our team to learn how we can provide and customise protective arc flash clothing and other specialist PPE for the electrical industry

rail industry

specialist rail PPE and protective clothing for rail workers

Rail work exposes teams to a wide range of hazards, often within a single shift — from live electrical infrastructure and arc flash risk to fire, heat, and moving plant. Alsico’s specialist rail PPE is designed to address these challenges holistically, combining multiple layers of protection into garments that are practical for day-to-day rail operations.

Our range includes high-visibility clothing in RIS-certified orange, flame-resistant and anti-static garments, and arc flash PPE engineered for electrical environments. Every product is developed with comfort and durability in mind, supporting long hours on site whilst maintaining consistent protection and compliance.

Beyond protection, alsico also offers flexibility to suit the realities of rail procurement. From custom branding and garment personalisation to a bespoke design service and scalable supply options, we help rail employers deliver PPE programmes that work — for their teams, their operations, and their long-term safety strategy.

Fashion designers collaborating on workwear innovation and sustainable clothing design.

custom-made design service

We know that workwear needs are diverse—and one size never fits all. Whether you’re looking for versatile garments to suit a wide range of wearers, or a fully bespoke design created around your exact requirements, we can deliver.

Our custom-made design service offers a complete solution. Our expert designers work closely with you to understand your needs, then turn your vision into reality.

rail industry

how we test PPE for rail industry compliance

Rail PPE must perform under demanding conditions — and prove it through rigorous testing. Alsico garments are independently tested against strict international and rail-specific standards, including RIS-3279-TOM, ensuring protection is validated, repeatable and compliant for use across live rail environments.

For electrical risk, arc flash PPE is tested to IEC 61482 using recognised methods such as the box test and ATPV assessment, measuring a garment’s ability to withstand incident energy exposure. Flame-resistant clothing is evaluated to EN ISO 11612 for limited flame spread and heat transfer, whilst anti-static properties are verified to EN 1149 to reduce ignition risk in electrified settings.

Visibility is equally critical. High-visibility garments are tested to EN ISO 20471 and, where required, aligned with rail specifications such as RIS-3279-TOM, including colour, design, and retroreflective performance. Durability testing — including repeated industrial laundering — ensures protection, fit, and visibility are maintained over the garment’s working life.

By combining certified testing, rail-specific compliance, and in-house expertise, alsico gives rail employers confidence that their PPE is not only compliant on paper, but proven in practice.

If you would like to speak to our wearer protection team, please phone: 01772 662500

rail industry

why choose alsico?

Alsico delivers expertly designed rail PPE that meets global safety standards, giving procurement teams flexible solutions. From bulk contracts to tailored garments, alsico helps protect against every expected hazard.

legacy of safety

Alsico is a proud family business with almost a century of experience in designing, manufacturing and distributing high-quality workwear. Our vision has always been to create protective garments that make a meaningful difference to people’s lives—delivering safety, comfort, and confidence to those who wear them.

Over the years, we have grown from a small-scale operation into a global leader in protective workwear, trusted by organisations across healthcare, industry and specialist environments.

Every garment is developed with care and responsibility, with sustainability and long-term value at the heart of our approach. We operate our own global production facilities, giving us full visibility and control over the entire supply chain, and ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and ethical manufacturing.

Today, alsico garments protect more than 10 million people around the world every single day. Our history is one of craftsmanship and care, but our focus is firmly on the future. With nearly 100 years of expertise behind us, we continue to shape the next generation of protective clothing—bringing together safety, sustainability and innovation for the workers of the world.

Inside Alsico’s modern office emphasizing innovation and sustainability.

innovating rail PPE

Traditionally rail PPE clothing has been seen as restrictive and uncomfortable, limiting movement in a physically demanding role. But at alsico, we identified this challenge and set out to transform the industry with innovative fabric solutions.

comfort without compromise

Developed through the alsico academy, our advanced technologies ensure our garments deliver freedom of movement alongside protection. When on the tracks our workwear—including coveralls and trousers—provide the flexibility and comfort your team need.

designed for women

We understand the need for rail PPE that fits every worker. Our range includes garments specifically tailored for women, offering a better fit, improved comfort and complete protection—without compromise.

rail industry

frequently asked questions

Rail workers typically require a combination of high-visibility clothing, flame-resistant garments, and protection against electrical and arc flash hazards. PPE must also support safe working around moving vehicles, low-light conditions, and live infrastructure, often through multi-standard garments that address several risks at once.

Rail PPE must meet a range of international and rail-specific standards, depending on the risk profile. Common requirements include EN ISO 20471 for high-visibility, EN ISO 11612 for protection against heat and flame, EN 1149 for anti-static performance, IEC 61482 for arc flash protection, and rail specifications such as RIS-3279-TOM for colour and garment design.

High-visibility clothing is essential to ensure workers are clearly seen by train drivers, plant operators, and other teams operating in busy or low-visibility environments. Rail-approved hi-vis colours and reflective materials are designed to perform consistently in daylight, darkness, and adverse weather.

Where work is carried out near electrified lines, substations, or electrical equipment, arc flash protection may be required as part of a risk assessment. Arc-rated rail PPE helps protect against the thermal effects of an electrical arc, reducing the risk of serious injury.

Yes. Alsico supplies high-visibility PPE in rail-approved orange, designed to meet both visibility standards and rail-specific requirements, including colour consistency and retroreflective performance.

Alsico offers a bespoke design service for rail contractors, enabling custom garment design, branding, and specification alignment. This ensures PPE reflects operational needs whilst maintaining compliance and wearer comfort.

Hi-vis clothing is designed to improve visibility, whereas flame-resistant rail clothing is engineered to protect against fire and heat. In many rail environments, garments combine both properties into a single multi-standard solution, reducing the need for multiple layers.

Alsico supports large-scale rail contracts through flexible procurement models, reliable supply chains, and consistent product availability. Our team works closely with rail employers to manage specifications, rollout, and ongoing garment supply across sites.

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