Article - Personal Protective Clothing Alternatives

26 May 2021

Alternative Perspectives Surrounding Personal Protective Clothing

 

By 2014, more than two decades after starting out as a single retail store, XCO Group consisted of four divisions, three of which incorporate various types of clothing - corporate, sport and workwear. All our personal protective clothing ranges are contained in the workwear category of this XCO Group website.

 

Because personal protective clothing represents an important part of the products we supply to corporate concerns on a wholesale, online basis, we’ve acquired an overall perspective on many different methods that are utilised for the safety and security of human beings and other creatures, primarily to survive.

 

 

Survival

 

Survival is said to be the most basic, commonplace instinct that all living creatures possess and have in common. Survival, above anything else, is fundamental to all. This means that each creature does everything possible to protect itself, its territory, often its offspring too. Protective measures vary greatly, depending on the species and the threat.

 

Potential or imminent threats might consist of inclement weather, predators, lack of water or food (dehydration or starvation), unavailability of suitable protective shelter, and injury. Anything that poses a danger triggers the most basic instinct – survival, which may call for protective tactics.

 

Protective Tactics in the Animal Kingdom

 

·         Attack

·         Defend

·         Form a social and defensive/offensive group – safety in numbers

·         Hide and look for cover

·         Freeze – remain completely immobile

·         Excrete venom

·         Emit a warning sound – a roar, hiss, growl, snarl, call or bark

·         Excrete a noxious smell

·         Run away – faster than the source of the threat

·         Change colour to match surroundings – like an octopus or chameleon, changing “clothes” of a different colour

·         Set up a “smokescreen” – the ink cloud that’s ejected by the octopus to obscure his getaway and buy enough time to escape unharmed

 

Basic Needs in Modern Societies

 

American psychologist, Abraham Maslow, (1908 – 1970), developed a theory known as his (Maslow’s) Hierarchy of Needs, in which he presents his concept of human needs and how they motivate human behaviour. Maslow’s approach is psychological, typically illustrated as a pyramid.

 

Within the pyramid, Maslow proffers five different levels of human needs, which are depicted as bands across a pyramid that becomes narrower as one ascends the structure from its base towards its pointed pinnacle.

 

 

 

Level One, Including Clothing

 

The most basic, instinctive human physiological needs, common to all humans, belong at the wide base of the triangular structure. At this basic level, physiological needs for survival include food, clothing, water, rest and warmth.

 

Second, More Sophisticated Safety Level

 

On the second, slightly narrower tier, after the variety of first basic needs have been satisfied, slightly more advanced man strives to meet his safety and security needs. It’s inevitable that this will include personal protection and personal protective measures to remain safe and secure, without which the first level’s physiological need for survival could not be sustained.

 

Although Maslow does not refer specifically to personal protective clothing, we at XCO know that these types of garments are essential shielding measures that should be in place in certain occupations and in various conditions, particularly when tasks, which have the potential to be hazardous, are being undertaken.

 

Personal Protective Clothing Ranges

 

Whether you agree with the psychologist’s theory or not, there’s no doubt that people need appropriate personal protective clothing – as illustrated in our relevant web pages – for easy identification, to prevent damage, injury, infection, contamination, an accident or a fatal outcome.

 

·         Disposable clothing, may cover the entire body and head, often worn with disposable gloves, a mask and/or face shield and coverings worn over footwear

·         Dust coats & aprons – both safeguard clothing, a dust coat more so

·         Hospitality & chef wear – people who work in restaurants, especially those who operate in kitchen areas, are exposed numerous hazards and damaging substances and events in a unique environment

·         High visibility, reflective vests – clearly identifies those who are permitted to be on site, since they are visible in various light conditions

·         Overalls & conti suits – robust one- and two-piece garments that offer personal protection

·         Rain & freezer wear – hooded jackets and coats, bib and standard pants, a poncho and two-piece suits

·         Security wear – clothing that indicates involvement in security, an industry that’s focused on protection of persons and personal property

 

Be it surviving a hazard or threat to personal safety, or that of others, prevention is always better than cure. That’s one of the best reasons to invest in protective clothing for your most valuable assets, your employees who face situations which others would prefer to avoid altogether.