Head-to-toe solutions
June 1st 2006 Whatever the profession, governments and health and safety experts recognise that wearer protection and comfort is critical if a work force is to operate efficiently and safely.
Jim Findlay, Gore Workwear Associate, explains
Workers have to function safely in a wide range of climatic conditions, in the wet, wind and cold; therefore, selecting the correct garments for any workforce is essential to ensure the best in protection and comfort.
Scientific studies have shown that a person's well-being and mental alertness depends on their core body temperature. A change of more than 1 above or below the normal core body temperature of 37 has a substantial impact on comfort and overall wellbeing. Mental alertness is very important for workers who have to contend with hazards, including working with electricity, gas and fuel and working in poor visibility or where there is moving traffic or plant.
The actual protection provided by clothing, especially from the wind and rain, is dependant on various factors. For example, static air acts as an insulator (textiles contain up to 95% air), however the wind can penetrate clothes and destroy this protective layer of air, making the wearer quickly feel colder. A temperature of 0C combined with a wind speed of 20 km/h creates wind chill temperature of -10C. Rain on the other hand has the same effect as sweat, drawing heat away from the body as it evaporates, meaning that wet clothing provides approx 58% less insulation than dry clothing.
Physiological studies and feedback from workers have shown that their effective work rate drops considerably when asked to work in an environment where they are either uncomfortably wet or overly perspiring.
At the laboratories of W.L. Gore & Associates all these factors are tested and taken into account in the development of Gore-Tex and Windstopper functional fabrics. The primary prerequisite for sensible, functional clothing, particularly in cold and wet conditions, is to create a layer that will protect from the wind and wet, so that the insulating air is retained inside the clothing. Just as important, is that the clothing remains breathable to ensure the optimum evaporation of sweat. This is particularly important to prevent overheating during physical exertion or when moving between indoors and outdoors.
To offer the highest standards of comfort and functionality to workers, Gore-Tex workwear tailors the application of its technical fabric to the specific requirements of the end user, from fire fighters and railway workers to the military. Whatever the profession, Gore-Tex and Windstopper garments meet and often exceed the internationally defined norms for each industry.
The result is that Gore workwear offers a head-to-toe workwear solution, from jackets, trousers, protective gloves and work gloves to hats, caps and safety footwear.
Gore holds the end user's physiological well being as a top priority to ensure complete comfort satisfaction. The importance of breathability is core in the technical and hardwearing fabrics produced.
All Gore products meet EN standards. Some PPE demands high visibility for safety; and when worn in urban or rural situations, poor weather conditions or poor light visibility, can literally be a life saver. Gore produces workwear solutions that meet and exceed European Standard EN471 for high visibility warning clothing for professional use, and is capable of sustained cleaning cycles to ensure the visibility of the clothing
EN343 focuses on the rain protection provided by protective clothing. Gore-Tex workwear provides wet weather protection that works regardless of how hard and how long it rains because the hydrophobic fabric does not absorb water.
Although EN343 is the reference standard, it is not often understood that it has 3 classifications for breathability levels. The experts who developed the Norm recognise that the differential level in these classifications is important to safety by making reference to reduced wear time of Class 1 garments (low breathability) in the Appendices.
Working with its partners, Gore is able to provide workers with functional and comfortable workwear, bringing together durable waterproof, breathable and windproof technology.
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For more than 25 years, Gore-Tex products have been providing PPE and workwear solutions to workers across Europe.
Products come in a wide range of types and styles, tailored to suit the individual requirements of diverse industries and meet the internationally-defined norms for each profession.
Firemen, the military, rail workers and many other business sectors benefit from the protection, comfort and functionality afforded by the Gore- Tex product range.
For more information: www.gore-tex.co.uk (protective outwear section) or call customer services Tel: 0800 833357 More articles from WL Gore & Associates Limited: | 
