CUSTOMER NAME: Torsion Projects Groundworks
LOCATION: West Yorkshire
BUSINESS SECTOR: Utilities
YEAR OF ORDER: 2023
BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS: Ensure employees are offered the best possible protection when working in the field.
Torsion Projects is a Leeds-based construction business delivering new and innovative building techniques to the UK construction industry. They are committed to a safety-first culture whilst offering value to their clients across residential, care, and retirement property developments.
As part of its growth strategy, Torsion Projects has invested in a new groundworks team, enabling them to bring this aspect of work inhouse. As a groundworks team there are significant risks with pre-existing underground infrastructure, one of which is around electrical cable that if accidentally struck can cause an arc flash and fire risk. This kind of incident can have life-changing consequences, meaning it is crucial the team have the appropriate standard of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Mark Owen, QESH Manager for Torsion, investigated PPE that would offer the highest protective qualities needed to operate in this kind of environment. The focus was on protection that was comfortable for daily-use for the wearer in all weather conditions. Mark had been introduced to ProGARM at a presentation some 12-months earlier and had been impressed at the time by the
range and quality of fire-retardant and arc-flash rated PPE.
Working in collaboration with ProGARM, Torsion Projects selected a range of items for their groundworks team. This included helmets, coveralls, base layers and gloves, all of which combine to reach the highest level of protection when working in an arc flash risk environment.
To support the introduction of new arc flash rated PPE, ProGARM worked with the Torsion team to deliver a product launch presentation. ProGARM experts talked the team through the many different safety standards their products adhere to and how to layer the garments effectively to ensure maximum protection.
With the workforce gaining a thorough understanding of the protective properties of each item, this was the foundation to educate the team for the adoption of their new workwear. The comments that followed the presentation highlighted the appreciation for their employer, with the team feeling that their safety has been invested in and their health and welfare valued.
Feedback on every garment has been overwhelmingly positive, enhanced by a new level of understanding about the need to layer and combine items to ensure the optimum performance of the complete uniform.
Mark says, “Exploring PPE with more technical, specialist qualities can be a bit of a minefield; lots of companies profess to offer uniform items but it’s not always clear that they will perform to the right level. ProGARM explained the standards and certifications we should look for in a clear, understandable way without the hard sell, making it an easy decision to buy from ProGARM and work with their team to roll this out to our groundworks team. All in all, it’s been a good experience, and we will look to ProGARM again when we need more arc flash clothing.”
Safety certification – such as EN 61482 for Arc Flash resistance – may be at the top of your list when selecting Arc Flash PPE, but test certification alone doesn’t guarantee your team’s safety. While it sets a helpful baseline, the environments and hazards employees encounter in the field are entirely different from one industry […]
If you are on the brink of choosing Arc Flash PPE, but still uncertain about the best choice for your team, there is a practical solution: wearer trials. Testing garments in real working conditions helps confirm that the selected PPE meets all safety, comfort, and functionality needs. Wearer trials allow team members—across different roles, environments, […]
For those who work in high-risk environments, every detail in their protective equipment matters. Whether it is a storm flap that keeps out rain or high-visibility strips that make you easy to spot, these thoughtful features define premium Arc Flash -rated PPE. In an industry where safety is paramount, ProGARM goes further, designing garments that […]
