How to Choose a Workwear Supplier (UK Edition)

Choosing the right workwear suppliers in the UK can seem daunting. After all, your workwear supplier needs to ensure that PPE is reliable, cost-effective and above all, HSE compliant. Add in different sector requirements, and it becomes a genuine challenge.  

Fortunately, with the right approach, finding the best UK workwear suppliers for your business can be straightforward. Here’s how to help your teams feel confident and secure in their work environment. 

• Safety and compliance: Your workwear supplier should provide garments that are HSE compliant and meet approved standards. Failure to do so could result in accidents, fines or prosecution. 
• Quality and longevity: Durable, quality workwear reduces the need for replacements, lowering your total costs of ownership. 
• Performance and comfort: Providing your teams with comfortable clothes that protect and don’t hinder movement is proven to enhance productivity and morale. A good supplier will offer your teams a range of sizes and materials to meet their sector-dependent needs.  
• Reliability and expertise: A good supplier offers customised, rather than generic solutions. In healthcare workwear, hygiene and visual role differentiation are important, whereas protective workwear must be fit for purpose. Finding a dependable supplier also reduces costly downtime while you wait for suitable workwear. 

How to choose the best workwear supplier for your industry   

Workwear needs can vary hugely by sector. However, the following approach is designed to help you find workwear suppliers that deliver the best garments to match your priorities. 

Carry out a risk assessment 

A risk assessment is fundamental to understanding what workwear is required. Mapping roles and requirements will help you understand the different levels of protection required across your teams. 

A good supplier will offer the best garments for the task, without over-specifying and offering costly solutions you don’t need.  

Check standards and certifications 

Workwear must meet the needs of your environment, and should align with standards such as EN ISO 11612 (flame-resistance) or EN ISO 20471 (hi-vis). The best workwear suppliers are British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) registered for peace of mind.  

Reliable PPE workwear suppliers will be transparent about their material sourcing, environmental commitments, and quality management to ensure HSE compliance. 

Aftercare services 

Buying quality garments is one thing. Extending their lifespan with comprehensive aftercare services is equally important. Maintenance, repairs, and laundry services can all help reduce costs and deliver excellent ROI. 

Look for a workwear supplier that offers leasing, commercial laundry services, and garment destruction. Good aftercare reduces the time and expense of dealing with laundering PPE workwear in-house. 

Balance costs and value 

Your PPE workwear needs to balance long-term considerations like compliance, comfort and replacement cycles with initial upfront costs. 

UK workwear suppliers should specify comfortable, role-appropriate garments made from durable, high-quality fabric that can better withstand wear and tear. 

Green flags in a PPE workwear supplier 

Choosing workwear suppliers in the UK is a key strategic decision. But what are the green flags to look out for when undertaking your due diligence?  

• Safety and compliance. With PPE workwear, every decision comes back to safety and compliance. Look for documentation, standards such as BS, ISO and EN, and BSIF registration as signs of a reputable supplier.  
• Durability and verified performance. Your workwear supplier should offer trusted brands or their own high-quality garments. PPE workwear should be designed for fit, function and durability, and reliable suppliers will specify the correct garment across different roles and sectors.  
• Diverse sizing and customisation. A good supplier offers a range of sizes and tailoring for comfort and ease of movement. Additionally, they’ll be able to offer customisation options, such as branding and different grades of PPE for specific hazards.
• Sustainability and accountability. Another green flag is the use of ethically sourced materials certified to standards such as OEKO-TEX. Workwear lifecycle management, including maintenance, repairs, laundering, and uniform disposal, is another criterion to consider.
• Reliability and industry expertise. The best UK workwear suppliers offer consistent stock levels and knowledgeable customer support. In-depth technical knowledge of PPE requirements across different sectors is another sign that your workwear suppliers can meet your requirements. 

Make phs Besafe your trusted UK workwear suppliers 

The best workwear suppliers are responsive to your needs, supplying durable, compliant PPE when you need it.  

At phs Besafe, we take your employees' safety seriously. We know that reliability and trust are key when choosing a workwear supplier. Our garments are designed for optimum safety, durability and functionality and we’re proud to be on the BSIF list of trusted PPE suppliers. 

Contact us to find out more about our PPE workwear and aftercare services.