Workwear in Textile Leasing

How can I best obtain workwear for my company?

In this blog, we delve into the various options companies have when it comes to procuring and maintaining workwear. The management of workwear varies widely in the professional world. Primarily, three approaches are employed:

Companies directly purchase workwear from manufacturers or specialized retailers and independently handle the laundering and provision of workwear for employees. In certain industries, employees also launder their own workwear.
Companies purchase workwear from a technical retailer or manufacturer and separately manage maintenance and upkeep through a laundry service.
Companies opt for the "all-inclusive package" of a textile leasing provider, thereby outsourcing all aspects of workwear management to a single entity.

Two women and two men are wearing workwear.

Unique Challenges with Protective Clothing

All approaches have their pros and cons in terms of internal efforts and costs. For certain areas such as protective clothing, managing the laundering and maintenance of workwear can be highly demanding and require specialized knowledge. In such cases, textile leasing or laundry services often offer optimal solutions.

In many companies, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory to safeguard employees against hazards. When it comes to caring for such garments, numerous regulations must be adhered to in order to preserve the protective function during laundering. To mitigate this risk, an increasing number of businesses are turning to the services of textile providers or professional laundries.

A team in high-visibility clothing give each other a high five in the air.

Special Requirements for PPE

Especially in demanding work environments where adherence to occupational safety standards for workwear is crucial, a high level of expertise is required for the cleaning and maintenance of protective clothing.

For instance, in tasks involving welding machines or inspecting the interior of equipment, employees need protective clothing to shield them from hazards like hot sparks or chemicals. To ensure the long-term effectiveness of the protective function of employee attire, it must be regularly and properly cleaned.

However, protective clothing is not suitable for home washing machines, as improper care can quickly become hazardous. Even minor residues can diminish protective properties, such as reflective or chemical-resistant attributes, or even lead to their loss. Whether the PPE still adequately safeguards against hazards is often not discernible by wearers themselves.

A man wears a blue sweatshirt and stands in front of a large industrial dryer.

Scope of Services Offered by Textile Service Providers

In this context, a textile service provider sources occupational or protective clothing from manufacturers and rents them out to its customers. Additionally, they take care of cleaning, maintenance, and repairs of the clothing. Alternatively, a technical vendor collaborates with a laundry service to handle these tasks for their customers.

In both scenarios, the employees of the serviced company receive their freshly washed and fully functional clothing daily. For businesses, the professional care of workwear offers clear advantages in the daily professional environment. And not just for the employees who are equipped with functional clothing on a daily basis.

The employer also gains a significant advantage from PSA leasing. When there is a mandatory requirement for PSA as per risk assessment, the employer must provide protective clothing to their employees in the correct condition. This ensures professionally prepared clothing.

They need not worry about maintenance and care, as textile leasing companies that offer PSA to businesses, or industrial laundries, are certified for their washing and maintenance processes. The regular monitoring and defined processes of these service providers ensure that care and maintenance are conducted professionally and in compliance with relevant European and international standards. This guarantees that the clothing is processed in accordance with regulations. This also includes automatically replacing or repairing clothing when it becomes worn out.

BP® employee checks the quality of a BP® jacket.

A Critical Examination of Textiles

To ensure that protective clothing maintains its flame-resistant, antistatic, reflective, or chemical-resistant functions, washing programs are individually tailored to the specific requirements in terms of mechanics, washing temperature, washing time, and washing chemistry. Adhering to the correct drying temperature is also crucial.

The individual steps of the processing process are precisely defined: Firstly, the items undergo pocket inspection, are sorted, washed, and dried. After quality control, the products are repaired or replaced with spare parts if necessary, assembled, and prepared for delivery. Additionally, the condition of the outer fabrics and the functionality of the closure systems are checked. In the case of chemical protection, experts also verify the state of impregnation, while for warning protection, they inspect the reflection of the fluorescent stripes.

The proper cleaning alone ensures the required protective effect of personal protective equipment (PPE). For instance, the inadequate removal of fats and oils can reduce the performance of flame-retardant clothing, or sensitive warning protection items can have their luminosity compromised. Paramount in all these processes and inspections is the wearer and their requirements.

To ensure acceptance and guarantee that the clothing performs well in use, the textile company furthermore provides every customer with the opportunity to try out different articles.

The Suitable Material as the Foundation

Manufacturers also face a significant challenge in developing functional and industrial laundry-compatible PPE. The choice of material plays a crucial role here. The fabric serving as the basis for the protective function of the respective PPE must prove its industrial laundry suitability through various tests in advance, such as strength or shrinkage behavior.

All other elements used in PPE clothing, such as reflective bands, must also consist of materials suitable for industrial laundry. Nowadays, PPE must not only fulfill its protective functions and meet the standards of industrial laundry but must also satisfy the individual requirements of consumers.

And rightly so, the demands of wearers have increased. The models are scrutinized much more critically today, especially in terms of comfort. The clothing should not be overly loose yet not restrict movement. Preventing quick sweating and promoting a comfortable feeling on the skin are important. Additionally, visually appealing clothing increases the acceptance of wearers. A uniformly attractive appearance of the workforce also has a positive impact on the corporate image.

Is Textile Leasing Worth It for Me?

Textile leasing, also known as rental or leasing service for workwear, comes with both advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages of Textile Leasing

Cost Control: Textile leasing allows for better budget planning as the costs for workwear are spread out in regular installments, helping to avoid unexpected expenses.
Quality and Up-to-date Attire: Leasing companies often provide high-quality garments and regular updates to ensure that employees consistently wear appropriate and modern clothing.
Maintenance and Cleaning: Textile leasing often includes maintenance, repairs, and cleaning of workwear, which can extend the lifespan of the clothing and provide employees with clean and ready-to-use attire.
Flexibility: The ability to adjust the quantity of required garments according to needs can be advantageous in specific situations, particularly during seasonal fluctuations or employee turnover.

Disadvantages of Textile Leasing

Long-Term Costs: Over the long term, the monthly or yearly leasing costs could be higher than purchasing workwear outright.
Dependence on the Provider: Companies utilizing textile leasing are reliant on the provider to deliver the right quantity and quality of clothing. Dissatisfaction or poor service from the provider can be problematic. It's worthwhile to compare different providers in advance and not solely focus on the lowest price.
Limited Customization: Textile leasing often offers limited options for individual clothing customization, which can be a disadvantage for some industries or companies with specific requirements. Once again, it's advisable to define the necessary scope of services beforehand.
Contractual Obligations: The duration of the leasing contract can lead to long-term commitments that might have a negative impact if the company's needs change.

The decision for or against textile leasing depends on a company's individual needs, financial capabilities, and preferences. Carefully weighing the pros and cons is advisable to make the best possible decision.

Overline

Workwear Management

Do you have any further questions about "Workwear Management"? Feel free to get in touch with our experts.

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A railway employee wears work clothes with UV protection next to a steaming train.

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