Making sure that you specify and buy the best PPE, workwear and clothing for your operatives is an important task, unfortunately it can also be quite difficult!
At PK Safety we’ve worked with operatives, managers, department heads and procurement decision makers throughout local authorities to help them obtain the best clothing and equipment for more than 30 years.
In this time, we’ve picked up a lot of experience and know-how. We’ve compiled what we all think are the 3 most important tips to guide a successful procurement program:
TIP 1: Focus on worker comfort
The most important part of any piece of protective clothing or equipment is that the workers wear or use it. Without doing so they are simply not protected and the purchase loses all its value. This is why we advocate placing a large emphasis on worker comfort as well as protective or functional specification. We strongly recommend extensive user trials before confirming product selections. We also recommend that these trials are followed up with each operative filling out a simple feedback form to allow decision makers to easily see and act on the results.
TIP 2: Balance cost out with product lifetime
Too many purchasing decisions are made on the simple basis of cost without considering relative product quality. This quite often means that the products are of a poor quality that does not last well in the customer’s workplace. This leads to repeated purchase and inevitably drives up the budget spend further and further. On the other hand, if an organisation invests in higher quality gear it will last longer in the workplace and introduce what we call “cost-in-use savings”. In other circumstances it makes sense to get the cheapest product, such as when a protective glove is thrown away after a single use under standard operating procedures.
TIP 3: Ensure supply availability
Once you’ve found the best possible product for your application the most important thing is to be able to get hold of it! Without a reliable and steady supply all your hard work means nothing!! We recommend thoroughly vetting your suppliers stock management and quality assurance procedures. You might also consider setting up something like PK Safety’s Stock Guarantee where you can rely on agreed and reportable deadlines.
We hope these tips help…. if you want to have a chat with anyone in our team about how we can help in your next procurement exercise then get in touch on 01443 741999
