It contains personal protective equipment of the first category according to its protective functions and required test procedures, which is discarded after use.
Why choose single use clothing?
Single use clothing offers a number of advantages over conventional reusable clothing. Here are some of the reasons why people choose single use clothing for their work environment.
Exceptional hygiene: disposable clothing ensures a high level of hygiene by eliminating the risk of transferring micro-organisms, contaminants and allergens. Each garment is designed to be disposable and discarded after each use, preventing the transmission of harmful substances. This is particularly important in healthcare facilities where maintaining a sterile environment is essential.
Convenience and time-saving: single use clothing eliminates the need for washing, drying and maintenance, saving valuable time and resources. By removing the worry of cleaning and storage, you can focus on your tasks and responsibilities. Simply discard used garments and replace them with new ones, promoting efficiency and productivity.
Cost-effective solution: although the initial cost of single use clothing can be higher than reusable options, it brings long-term savings. The costs associated with maintaining and replacing worn out garments can quickly add up with reusable options. Single use garments eliminate these costs, making them an economical choice, especially for industries that require frequent changes of garments.
Versatility and protection: single use clothing is available in a wide range of styles and materials to suit different work environments. From aprons and gowns to gloves, they provide comprehensive protection against spills, spills, contaminants and hazardous substances. They are designed to meet industry-specific safety standards and regulations, ensuring maximum protection for workers.
Where are single use clothes particularly useful?
Single use clothing is indispensable in a wide range of industries and environments where hygiene, sterility, safety and convenience are crucial. Here are some examples of industries and situations where single use clothing is widely used:
Healthcare and medicine: In hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities, disposable clothing such as gowns, caps, masks and gloves are essential to maintain a sterile environment and prevent the spread of infections. They are also used in isolation units, operating theatres and clean rooms to protect healthcare staff and patients.
Foodservice: In the food industry, single use clothing such as caps, aprons and gloves are key to ensuring food safety and hygiene. They reduce the risk of food contamination, allergen transfer and contaminant carry-over, helping to maintain strict hygiene standards.
Clean rooms and laboratories: clean rooms, laboratories and research facilities require a controlled environment free of contaminants. Single use clothing, including gowns, shoe covers and caps, provide the necessary protection to maintain the integrity of experiments, prevent the release of particles and reduce the risk of exposure to chemicals.
Manufacturing and industrial environments: in manufacturing and industrial environments, disposable clothing offers protection against chemicals, particles and work hazards. They are often used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics and chemical processing to provide a safe working environment and prevent product contamination.
Benefits of using single use clothing
Single use clothing is an important element in a wide range of industries and work environments, especially in healthcare, laboratory and manufacturing settings where cleanliness and hygiene are crucial. The main advantages of using single use clothing include:
Preventing infection and contamination: single use clothing is designed to reduce the risk of pathogen and contaminant transmission. In healthcare, this helps prevent the spread of infections between patients and staff.
Sterility: in many cases, disposable garments are sterilised, ensuring the high level of cleanliness needed in sterile environments such as operating theatres or laboratories.
Saving time and maintenance costs: as these clothing is single use, there is no need for washing, cleaning and maintenance, which can reduce costs and logistical complexity.
Ease of use and disposal: these garments are usually lightweight and easy to handle and can be quickly removed and safely disposed of, reducing the risk of contamination.
Protection for workers: they provide essential protection against exposure to hazardous substances, biological materials, chemicals, dusts and other potentially harmful substances.
Universal sizing and fit: most single use clothing is designed to fit a wide range of body shapes and sizes, allowing easy distribution and use without the need for individual customisation.
Efficiency in emergency situations: in the event of emergencies such as epidemics or natural disasters, they allow the rapid and efficient deployment of protective equipment for large numbers of people.
Limiting allergen transfer: single use clothing helps prevent the transfer of allergens that can build up on reusable fabrics.
Flexibility to meet different needs: manufacturers can tailor single use clothing to the specific needs of certain industries, for example by adding extra protection against chemicals or improving breathability.
Despite these advantages, there is also an environmental aspect to consider, as single use clothing generates more waste. It is therefore important that they are used responsibly and in situations where their benefits are crucial.
Variations of single use clothing
Single use clothing is key to ensuring safety and hygiene in a wide range of work and health environments. They have been developed to protect individuals from a variety of hazards while preventing the spread of contamination. The most common single use
workwear include:
Protective suits: these are essential in environments where there is a risk of exposure to chemicals, hazardous materials or biological agents. They are impermeable to liquids and microbes and provide protection against dust and fine particles. They are used in chemical laboratories, biomedical research, hazardous waste management and industrial environments.
Coveralls: these offer full body protection and are ideal for use in a wide range of industries including automotive, construction and agriculture, as well as in recovery work after accidents or natural disasters. They are tear and puncture resistant, providing extra safety.
Gloves: made of different materials such as latex, nitrile or vinyl,
disposable gloves protect hands from chemicals, biohazards and contamination. They are used in healthcare, scientific laboratories, the food industry and cleaning.
Masks and respirators: masks and respirators provide respiratory protection against dust, micro-organisms, aerosols and hazardous gases. They are essential in healthcare facilities, laboratories and work where fine dust or chemicals are present.
Head and footwear covers: these covers are designed to prevent the spread of contaminants from hair or footwear. They are important in operating theatres, clean rooms and production facilities where a high level of hygiene is required.
Single use clothing brands
Lacuna
Lacuna is a Croatian company that produces high quality workwear with a modern design. Renowned for its innovation and precision in manufacturing, Lacuna offers a wide range of garments for different occasions and tastes. Lacuna is characterised by its combination of quality materials, functionality and aesthetic design. Their workwear is made from premium fabrics that ensure comfort, durability and a good fit.
Coverguard
Coverguard is a renowned brand specialising in safety footwear and workwear. Their products are designed with the protection of workers in a variety of workplaces in mind, particularly in industry, construction and manufacturing. Coverguard offers a wide range of footwear, clothing and accessories that meet strict safety and comfort standards. The brand is known for its reliability and durability, which is crucial for workers facing potential risks in the workplace.
WeeSafe
The
WeeSafe brand is a renowned manufacturer of single use clothing, specialising in short-life protective clothing. Their garments are designed with rigorous design, consistent build quality, constant checks and an exceptional standardisation process. The range includes different types of garments such as chemical protective suits, cleanroom garments, hazardous material handling suits, chemical resistant sleeves and industrial towels. WeeSafe focuses on providing tailored, comfortable and protective solutions for short-term use for every user and company.
Risks
Anti-static: Clothing is designed to prevent the build-up of static electricity and reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge.
Bio-chemical risk: This term refers to clothing that provides protection against biological and chemical risks, such as hazardous substances or contaminated liquids.
Microbiological: Refers to protective clothing that prevents the penetration of micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses.
Anti-slip properties: this feature means that the clothing or footwear reduces the risk of slipping and falling.
TYPE 5 (Dust-proof): This category describes garments that are designed to completely prevent the penetration of dust and particles.
TYPE 6 (Splash-proof): This category of clothing is designed to protect against splashes of liquids, preventing liquids from coming into contact with the skin.
Different standards for single use clothing
EN 1149: This standard focuses on the electrostatic properties of protective clothing. It specifies how the garments prevent the build-up of static electricity and ensure that it is safely discharged, thereby preventing arcing.
EN 1149-5: This standard specifies requirements for garments that prevent electrostatic discharge, thereby reducing the risk of explosions in environments where flammable substances or gases are present.
EN 13034: The standard specifies requirements for limited protection against liquid chemicals. This includes clothing that provides protection against drip exposures to chemicals.
EN 13982-1: Specifies requirements for clothing that protects against particulate matter by preventing the penetration of hazardous particulate matter onto the skin or under clothing.
EN ISO 13688: This standard specifies general requirements for all protective clothing, including ergonomics, sizing, marking, and instructions for use, to ensure a basic level of safety and comfort.
EN 1073-2: This standard focuses on clothing that protects against contamination by radioactive particles. It specifies test methods and requirements for the permeability and removability of contamination.