Crane Team PPE

The crane team on this project carry out lifting operations outside in all weathers and so it is important that their PPE keeps them warm, dry and comfortable while carrying out their role.

The current issued PPE is an orange hi-vis combat trousers and bomber jacket or a 4-in-1 coat which is now outdated. The project team carried out a comparison on providing pulsar hi-vis soft shell jackets and pulsar hi-vis combat trousers, to replace the current provision.

Why is this best practice?

The bomber jacket coat and 4-in-1 coat are class 3 resistance to water penetration and class 1 air permeability however the Pulsar soft shell jacket is class 3 breathable and waterproof via a membrane sandwiched between the outer polyester and inner micro fleece for wind and water resistance.
The combat trousers are a standard 65% polyester and 35% cotton trouser whereas the Pulsar combat trousers are Teflon coated which increases their resistance to dirt and water.

How does this affect the site?

There is a cost difference between both the soft shell jacket and the 4-in-1 coat and the puslar combat trousers over standard combat trousers, with the pulsar products coming out more expensive. However the pulsar products are also less bulky (increasing comfort), water resistant (increasing warmth and dryness), wind resistant, breathable, longer-lasting and have the added benefit of less time lost by operatives needing to leave site when weather changes.

Following on site trials everyone has confirmed that the Pulsar Soft Shell Jacket and combat trousers are far better and they confirm that the water proofing, wind proofing, dryness and comfort are as their description advises.