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, and body types—to experience firsthand what quality PPE should feel like. In the Arc Flash industry, where standards for comfort, durability, and safety are critical, trials are an invaluable part of the decision-making process.
ProGARM offers wearer trials as part of a commitment to continuously improve their PPE, incorporating real-world feedback into future designs. Here is a closer look at seven reasons why wearer trials are essential for choosing the right PPE, with ProGARM’s standards as an industry example.
Wearer trials simulate the specific environments and tasks workers face, giving them a chance to assess a garment’s functionality under real conditions. Lab testing is essential, but only real-world trials reveal insights like whether extra pockets, loops, or storm flaps enhance utility or if any limitations emerge in daily use.
With ProGARM’s wearer trials, workers can provide practical feedback that lab results cannot capture, such as movement restrictions or material wear in demanding conditions. Many teams find that trying different garments side-by-side from various suppliers quickly identifies the option that best suits their unique requirements.
Comfort is essential in PPE, particularly for tasks requiring focus and physical exertion. Wearer trials let workers evaluate the fit, flexibility, and comfort of PPE, which is crucial for compliance and effectiveness. If garments do not fit well or cause discomfort, workers are less likely to wear them properly, increasing risk on the job.
ProGARM’s commitment to comfort means their PPE is designed to provide ergonomic support without restricting movement. Through wearer trials, companies benefit from a feedback loop that fine-tunes fit, breathability, and weight distribution—ensuring PPE that stays comfortable throughout long shifts.
High-quality Arc Flash PPE must conform to stringent safety standards like EN ISO 11612 and IEC 61482, but real-world trials provide an added layer of assurance. Trials let teams see if PPE can handle specific hazards like Arc Flashes, heat exposure, or chemical splashes, as well as verify that garments meet safety standards under actual working conditions.
ProGARM’s wearer trials give workers confidence in their protective gear, empowering them to choose what feels safest for their roles. When workers see the protective capabilities of PPE firsthand, it reinforces trust and encourages correct and consistent use—key components of a safer workplace.
Frequent washing, exposure to the elements, and general wear and tear can challenge the longevity of PPE. Wearer trials allow teams to gauge how well garments endure harsh conditions and whether they retain protective qualities over time. High-quality PPE proves its worth by outlasting cheaper options, leading to long-term cost savings.
ProGARM’s commitment to durability is validated through trials, as workers assess how well the gear withstands daily use. This feedback helps companies avoid frequent replacements and justifies investments in premium PPE that reliably protects employee’s day after day.
When workers have a say in choosing PPE through wearer trials, it builds confidence in the gear and encourages proper use. If employees have tested the PPE themselves, they’re more likely to wear it consistently, improving on-site compliance and overall safety.
In ProGARM’s experience, teams that participate in wearer trials feel more secure and valued. Knowing that their input directly influences PPE selection fosters a positive safety culture and increases morale, as workers feel invested in choosing PPE that genuinely supports their protection and comfort.
Different job roles and environments require different features in PPE. Wearer trials help identify specific needs, such as the inclusion of storm flaps for wet conditions or reinforced stitching for heavy-duty tasks. Customisation based on real-world insights ensures that PPE meets both general safety standards and specific job demands.
ProGARM’s wearer trials highlight areas for potential customisation, allowing teams to adjust features to suit unique environments. By engaging diverse teams in the trial process, ProGARM ensures that PPE adapts to a wide range of scenarios and body types, creating more inclusive, fit-for-purpose solutions.
Advanced PPE, Informed by Real-World Insights
Feedback from wearer trials is essential to refining Arc Flash PPE for comfort and safety. This input also directly supports ProGARM’s ethos of continuous improvement, as each trial provides new insights that inform next-generation PPE designs. By encouraging a feedback-based approach, ProGARM and other leading manufacturers create PPE that evolves to meet the ever-changing needs of high-risk industries.
The wearer trial process allows workers to test ProGARM garments and identify any potential design improvements before an official purchase. Engaging a diverse testing group ensures that PPE will be comfortable and functional for all team members, regardless of size or role.
Wearer Trial Success Stories: Vodafone
A practical example of the power of wearer trials can be seen in Vodafone’s recent experience. Needing arc-flash-rated PPE for diverse field environments, Vodafone partnered with ProGARM to identify PPE that met high safety standards while remaining commercially viable. This included a two-week pilot for a select group of engineers to try out a uniform comprising trousers, polo shirts, jackets, and coveralls.
The feedback from Vodafone’s pilot group was overwhelmingly positive, with employees reporting comfort, quality, and an excellent fit in each item. These trials reinforced Vodafone’s commitment to a safety-first culture and showed employees that their welfare was prioritised. Now, Vodafone is set to roll out ProGARM PPE to over one hundred field engineers across the UK.
Vodafone Health and Safety Governance Manager Gus Birks shared, “Working with ProGARM has been simple and easy; not something you can always say about the procurement process. We feel supported and educated to make the right choices. It is a significant commercial investment but in the long term, it is the right decision for our workforce, our clients, and our health and safety culture.”
To learn more, you can read the full Vodafone case study. To view more information on arc flash, visit our what is arc flash page.
Wearer trials provide safety managers and buyers with real assurance that PPE is up to the task before making a long-term commitment. By letting workers try gear in the environments where they will actually use it, wearer trials help ensure the right choice for safety, comfort, and budget. ProGARM’s wearer trials offer this peace of mind by enabling feedback-driven innovation that keeps Arc Flash PPE aligned with the highest standards.
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