Workwear & Uniform

Lightweight Workwear for the British Spring

Finally Winter appears to be over and we're moving into Spring. Time to put the insulated workwear away and think about lighter weight clothing. Spring brings new growth and bursts of bright warm sunshine, but with it comes sudden cold winds, sharp showers and even thunder storms. You and/or your workers need to be suitably […]

If it’s not 1 thing, it’s another – What on Earth is going on with pricing and supply chain?

You must have noticed prices rising and product availability going down across almost everything you might wish to buy. You'll see it online and in shops whether you're buying fruit and veg, some new shoes or Christmas presents for the kids. XAMAX® can't speak for those product lines, but we can speak to the supply […]

Phot of a person washing clothes in a laundrette

Why You MUST Wash Your Company Uniform Before You Wear It

So you received your new company uniform. Looks good right? All bright and new and clean... but is it? No, not really. There are a lot of industrial processes that go into getting your uniform onto your back, and the very last one, washing it, is your responsibility. Here's why you should NEVER wear uniform, […]

Image representing why a work uniform is a worthwhile investment

Is Customised Work Uniform REALLY Worth It?

What is the point of buying a custom work uniform for your staff? Is it just an extra expense and a hassle you could do without? There are actually many benefits to kitting your staff out in a uniform that will positively impact on your business and deliver a genuine ROI. And it doesn't need […]

Coveralls vs Overalls: What’s the Difference?

There is a common misconception that the only difference between a coverall and an overall is regional: a British word versus an American one, but this is not true: In the British workwear industry, the words seem to be interchangeable. Search on any (other) workwear website for either term, and what you will find is […]

Creating Branded Uniforms For Your Company

This is a XAMAX® "How To" guide to creating branded uniform with your company logo. We include advice on garments, colour choice and customisation techniques. This uniform guide is broken down into four simple steps. They're listed here and if you scroll further down, you will see a more in-depth explanation of each step. Here's […]

How To Encourage And Manage Employee Uniform Responsibilities

When you issue uniform to your staff, employees will have a responsibility towards the uniform garments you provide, Whether that responsibility is specified within their employment contract, within the uniform policy itself or simply implied. A main responsibility is that employees must treat, handle, and launder their uniforms properly, so that uniforms last a minimum […]

Lightning Safety Outdoors: How To Protect Your Team in Spring

Lightning is an occupational hazard that's often overlooked, but it shouldn't be because it can severely injure or even kill outdoor workers, particularly if they're working at height. Here are some tips on how to protect your workers in spring and maintain lightning safety outdoors. What are the Risks Associated with Working Outdoors in Lightning? […]

How To Pick The Perfect Polo Shirts For Your Branded Uniform

Customised polo shirts are a staple work uniform item. From bar staff, to hotel cleaning staff, to electricians - custom polo shirt embroidery shows off their company logo - polos are one of the most versatile and cost-effective workwear items. Picking the right polo shirts for your business uniform depends on two factors: The Garment […]

Health & Safety

Dust Mask Ratings: FFP1 vs FFP2 vs FFP3 – The Ultimate Guide

PLEASE NOTE: This guide is not aimed at the general public and does not constitute advice to use a dust mask or respirators to protect from viruses. Here is everything you need to know about dust mask ratings - the same safety standards are used for respirator ratings and the specifications of face masks. After […]

Image of High Quality Safety Boots In Use

Safety Footwear Ratings: The Ultimate Guide

Style and colour may be your first thoughts when choosing new safety boots or shoes, but it should be the fit, suitability for your job and the protection standards (aka: Safety Boot Ratings) that are at the forefront of your mind. This is a guide to the safety standards, classifications, ratings and codes for work […]

Health and Safety Obligations Illustration

What Are The Health & Safety At Work Legal Obligations For Employers?

With the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reporting that there were 581,000 employees sustaining non-fatal injuries at work in 2018/19, it still seems that not enough is being done to protect workers. But what are the legal obligations faced by UK employers? What can be done to mitigate risk, and what are the consequences of […]

image of an electrician wearing a white hard hat

Hard Hat Colour Codes: What You Need to Know

As of January 2017, Build UK, who represents some of the UK's biggest contractors and trade associations, has mandated hard hat colour codes. Excepting Network Rail workers, whose sites only permit white and blue safety helmets, all other construction sites - new and existing - will be expected to change their helmet colours according to […]

How To Pick Glove Ratings: Our Guide To EN-Standards

There are several types of gloves available to purchase for a reason. You should avoid making the mistake of assuming that any type of glove can be used for any type of work you undertake, as this can bring its own set of dangers. That's why gloves are rated into three separate categories and all […]

Guide To Choosing Hearing Protection That’s Right For You

In a noisy work environment, having the correct PPE to protect your hearing is essential. There are several consequences if you do not have the right equipment: Tinnitus, Acoustic Trauma, Temporary Hearing Loss, Industrial/Occupational Deafness, even Complete Hearing Loss How do you choose the right hearing protection PPE for your particular industry? Page Contents Types […]

Workplace Personal Protective Equipment – Your Ultimate Guide

Personal Protective Equipment generally goes by the acronym: PPE. It is the equipment that protects its users from health or safety risks. Most specifically, risks you would find in the workplace. The Ultimate Guide to PPE includes an explanation of all relevant PPE regulations, best practice advice for health and safety officers or those charged […]

PPE Legislation: How to Prepare Your Workforce

The Personal Protective Equipment Directive was updated in 2016 and came into effect in 2018. These changes to the PPE legislation define what PPE is and what it covers. Not only was it updated, but the PPE categories were changed along with the PPE Directive. There is now a maximum five year certificate validity according […]

Helping To Prevent Covid-19 in the Workplace

These are strange times indeed - this unprecedented pandemic is as worrying as it is serious - but we have to get on as best we can. What can you do to help prevent a domino effect of an illness that can kill at worst or at best, shut down your operation down while everyone […]

How To Do Respirator Face Fit Tests: A Guide

Similar to regular PPE, Respiratory Protective Equipment (or RPE for short) is any facial protective equipment that is specifically designed to protect an individual’s airways from harmful airborne contaminants. However, in order to rightfully delegate your employees this PPE, not only must you understand the correct respiratory protection ratings for your environment, you must also […]

Are Rigger Boots Banned On Construction Sites?

Rigger boots are an attractive option for those who work on a construction site. They are a slip-on safety boot between a lace-up and a wellington. Compared to traditional work boots they have a looser fit and their added waterproofing makes them an appealing choice. However, are riggers safety boots banned from being worn on […]

3 Steps to Hand Safety in the Workplace

Hand safety in the workplace is one of the most important aspects of Health & Safety. 40% of workplace accidents involve a worker's hands and 70% of hand injuries occur because the worker has removed their safety gloves. Staggering, isn't it!? Keeping your workforce's hands safe is everyone's responsibility, and it can make a huge […]

How Often Should You Replace Your Hi Vis Clothing?

The frequency of replacing your hi vis clothing is not determined by a period of time, but how it is used and cared for. It doesn't have a shelf-life as such unless it falls under an old hi vis clothing standard. You've taken the time to research and find the right type of hi vis […]

Image shows computer and stethoscope for occupational diseasestep

5 Types of Occupational Diseases and How to Prevent Them

Daily contact with hazardous materials at work can lead to serious health problems later on in life for your or your staff. Occupational diseases can be horrific and fatal, so it is always worth educating yourself on how you can prevent them. As an employer - it is your responsibility to make sure you control […]

Image of man using Rigger Gloves to protect hands whilst lifting

Rigger Gloves – everything you need to know before you buy

It is possible that rigger gloves are not the best option for you or your staff, so here is what you need to know before buying rigger gloves. Construction workers, landscapers, forestry workers, warehouse operatives, engineers and even road-workers need different types of gloves due to the safety elements featured in each one. This is […]

Bump Caps or Hard Hats: What is the difference?

Head injuries are often serious and all too often life threatening. It is important, when working in hazardous industries, you and your employees are protected with some form of head protection such as a Hard Hat or a Bump Cap. Hard Hats are very different pieces of PPE from Bump Caps and they both perform […]