Many industries require their workforces to wear safety equipment apparel, and making sure they have the best workwear from reputable manufacturers and suppliers, is a responsibility all employers should take seriously.
However, before the right equipment can be selected, purchased and given out, employers must take the time to thoroughly assess the specific safety requirements not just of their industry, but of the roles their employees are expected to carry out while at work. The budget must also be carefully considered, and when choosing a safety equipment supplier, an assessment of how they deal with queries and respond to you as a potential customer, should be taken into account.
Let’s take a step-by-step approach to the whole process:
Identifying the specific safety needs of your workforce
This is the first step towards choosing a supplier of safety equipment, and once you’ve identified the specific safety needs, it’s important to make sure that your chosen supplier can offer exactly what you need.
Once you’ve understood every detail pertaining to workplace risks for your employees, you can then communicate your needs more effectively to suppliers, who can then ensure that every product is tailored to match your workplace operations and industry environment.
Ideally, you should look for a supplier that can offer you customizable solutions and flexibility, particularly given that your safety needs might change over time, as might industry regulations.
Assessing your budget
Helping to align your investment in safety equipment and clothing with what is available and having a clear budget in place helps suppliers as much as it helps you. They can better guide you as to what you can afford, and steer you in the direction of solutions that will meet your requirements without taking you out of your budgetary comfort zone.
A robust budget allows you more room for successfully evaluating suppliers, negotiating better deals, and ultimately, finding exactly what you need with what you can afford.
Assessing a suppliers customer service
This may not seem as important a factor as procuring high quality safety gear at the best price, but if your chosen supplier isn’t able to offer you the support you need when making a purchase, a complaint, or even just a general query, it might not seem like such a good deal after all.
You need your order to be fulfilled, that much is true, but good customer service goes beyond that. Good customer service should promptly answer any queries you might have about the products or the buying process, as well as be able to offer technical support, and give sound advice on maintenance and selection. ASI Safety has been in the business for over 20 years and can help answer any questions you have.
What are the OSHA standards?
As an employer (and indeed, as an employee, too), it’s always wise to familiarize yourself with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. Doing so can help ensure not only that your workers are safe, but that your company doesn’t incur any fines, experience legal action from employees, or put its reputation at risk.
Complying with OSHA regulations is also a basic requirement when buying safety clothing and equipment, and knowing that your chosen supplier can offer you items that comply with OSHA standards, is vital.
So, when selecting industrial safety suppliers, firstly, make sure that their equipment and clothing meets OSHA requirements, then follow the steps outlined above so that you can make an informed decision, and enjoy a long-standing and hassle-free partnership.