*These pieces are ghostwritten and do not have a byline

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Xamax is a UK-based workwear supplier, specialising in PPE and work-place uniforms, including custom embroidery and design. Once Xamax stopped working with Digital 22, the links became broken and this year, Xamax's marketing manager, Andrew Hall, kindly got in touch to provide me with a list of updated and live links for my portfolio. 

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When I worked in marketing, I found Xamax to be one of my favourite clients as they were easy to work with and I actually found the topics of PPE and construction fascinating to write about. There are so many regulations so I enjoyed reading on the UK government website about these different updates and translating that into easy-to-read text. I also got to write about different equipment and situations for which you'd need company workwear. 

2017​

Xamax
 

• May 2017, Guide to Personal Protective Equipment: PPE Compliance Checklist (Content download)

  • This guide was a comprehensive piece on PPE in light of the new regulations in 2017. The checklist provided a quick list of what managers and site supervisors needed to know about the seven types of PPE.
     

• August 2017, The Xamax Guide to Working Outdoors in Winter (Content download)

  • The winter workwear guide explained the regulations business owners needed to follow when the temperatures dripped outside as well as when it was unsafe to work in temperatures, what equipment to use, any special storage and maintenance for the cold weather, and general advice. 
     

• August 2017, The Xamax Guide to Working Outdoors in Summer (Content download)

  • The summer guide explained the dangers of working outside in conditions that were too hot (especially with our recent hot English summers) and the regulations that needed to be followed such as wearing and applying suncream, ensuring workers were wearing the correct PPE despite high temperatures, advice to hydrate as well as wear workwear clothing that contained UV protection. 
     

• August 2017, The Xamax Guide to Working Outdoors in Spring (Content download)

  • The spring guide focused on the pests that would be encountered in the spring and how to care for and protect workers from insects and allergens. The guide explained the types of considerations that may be a factor in spring such as extra rainfall and the equipment needed for special weather conditions. 
     

• November 2017, Uniform Policy Pack (Content download)

  • The uniform policy pack provided sample letters to get staff and stakeholders on board with an update in uniform policy as well as advice on the types of uniform they may purchase from PPE to customisable workwear polos with workplace branding and embroidery to construction and factory clothing. 

 

• 28 April, New Hard Hat Colour Codes: What You Need to Know

  • Regulations for hard hats were updated in 2017, meaning workers needed to understand which colour codes belonged to which members of staff. For example, the hard hats for supervisors went from white to black.
     

• 1 May, 5  Tips for Choosing the Right PPE Hearing Protection

  • Depending on the requirement, different decibel ratings are recommended for various jobs on site. PPE hearing protection is the first line of defence against long-term hearing problems for construction workers and other labourers who work in noisy environments. 
     

• 3 May, Bump Caps vs Hard Hats: Which is Best?

  • Whether a worker needs a bump cap or hard hat will depend on the job. This piece explains the difference between the two and the uses that would necessitate either, with both conforming to rigorous PPE regulations.​
     

• 11 May, How Long Does PPE Last? (Not As Long As You Think)

  • Usually, each type of PPE has a safety label explaining how long it will last the wearer and in which circumstances the equipment will need changing. For example, if a hard hat sustains a blow, it will need to be replaced, but otherwise hard hats can last years with routine suspension replacement. 
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• 14 May, 3 Personal Protective Equipment Regulations Buyers Should be Aware of in 2017

  • This piece explains the update to PPE equipment regulations, which categorised PPE into new categories such as equipment to protect against risks to health and safety, equipment with interchangeable components, and equipment with connextion systems. The piece explains the PPE categories and explains the updated regulation.
     

• 26 May, Buying Site Safety Boots: 5 Considerations for Business Owners

  • When buying site safety boots for workers, business owners need to consider any necessary foot and safety protections such as slip-resistance, comfort, material, use, and how often boots need to be replaced. 
     

• 30 May, How to Properly Maintain and Store Protective Goggles

  • This post explains the EN codes and regulations around protective safety goggles, how companies should maintain them (such as replacing damaged parts), the correct storage techniques (in their cases in a dry place), how often equipment should be replaced, how the safety goggles should fit the wearer, how to choose the correct eyewear and more.
     

• 2 June, PPE Legislation Has Changed: How to Prepare Your Workforce

  • In April 2018, PPE legislation changed on the seven categories of PPE. The piece explains how companies can update their health and safety policies and what they need to know to prepare their business for regulation updates as well as how to enforce compliance.
     

• 9 June, 7 Tips for Choosing the Best PPE for Welding

  • For a hot and dangerous job like welding, selecting the correct PPE is key to protecting your workers from hazards. This post explains what you need to know about head, eye, hand, respiratory, body, and foot protection when welding and provides additional workplace safety tips.
     

• 14 June, Anti Vibration Gloves: Do They Work?

  • Anti-vibration gloves do not protect the wearer from long-term damage but they do reduce the risk of some common vibration-related injuries such as hand/arm vibration syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and vibration white finger by keeping the wearer's hands warm and increasing blood flow.
     

• 16 June, How to Pick a Dust Mask Rating: P1 vs P2 vs P3

  • This short guide explains the difference between P1/FFP1, P2/FFP2, P3/FFP3 for dust masks and what each of these ratings means. It also explores how to choose the right respiratory protection, how to maintain your masks and respirators, and examples of the dust masks presented by Xamax. 
     

• 19 June, Coveralls vs Overalls: What’s the Difference?

  • Despite many people thinking that these terms are interchangeable, they aren't! This piece explores the difference between the two terms (hint: coveralls are for workers and can have added protective elements) and a tiny dip into the history of the two. 
     

• 22 June, PPE Signs: Which Signs Go Where On Site?

  • This mini-guide explains the different types of PPE signs (red, yellow, blue, green) and what they mean. It also explains where you'll find them on a worksite and what that will tell you about what to do such as the blue PPE equipment signs mean you must wear that equipment when entering the worksite, for example.
     

• 27 June, 4 Types of Protective Eyewear Sites Should Consider

  • When considering protective eyewear, you should consider what you're protecting against, the types of PPE eyewear that are available for use, the safety standards you must meet, the material the lenses are made from, how often you need to replace your equipment,how to maintain it, and how to fit it properly.
     

• 30 June, Why Is PPE Important? How to Sell the Idea to Your Staff

• 5 July, Understanding Common PPE Symbols and Their Meanings

• 6 July, Is it Time to Renew Your Workplace Health and Safety Policy?

• 10 July, How to Encourage and Manage Employee PPE Responsibilities

• 13 July, What PPE is Required for Construction

• 18 July, Why Ignoring PPE Maintenance Is a Terrible Idea for Your Business

• 19 July,  Nitrile vs Latex Coated Gloves: Which Is Best?

• 24 July, PPE Equipment List: What You Need in 2017

• 2 August, Are Rigger Boots Banned on Construction Sites?

• 4 August, Working Outside in the Sun: 3 Policies Employers Must Address

• 9 August, Working in the Rain Regulations: What You Need to Know

• 10 August, Regulations for Working at Height: Explained

• 17 August,  Do Employers Have to Provide Sun Cream?

• 18 August,  How to Complete a Working Outdoors Risk Assessment

• 21 August,  Steward Safety Supplies: Manager’s Checklist

• 23 August,  Skin Cancer and Outdoor Work: The Silent Workplace Battle

• 31 August, Tree Surgeon Clothing: What to Wear and When to Wear It

• 1 September, Lone Working Hazards: How to Keep Lone Workers Safe

• 5 September, How to Choose the Correct Outdoor Work Clothes for Your Team

• 7 September,  Building Site Fence Panels: Construction Site Hoarding Regulations

• 13 September, How can NIHL Be Prevented? 4 Steps for Site Managers

• 15 September, PPE for Hot Weather: How to Keep Cool

• 20 September, The Best Pants for Working Outdoors: Trousers that Keep Workers Safe

• 22 September, Covering Up - Cold Weather PPE Every Site Needs

• 27 September, Does Your Business Have a Snow and Ice Policy?

• 29 September, How to Conduct a Chainsaw Risk Assessment: 6 Steps for Managers

• 19 October, Can You Motivate Employees without Money? (Hint: You Can!)

• 20 October, It’s Getting Darker...Is Your Team Covered? 4 Winter Workwear Essentials

• 24 October, Creating a Uniform Policy Letter: 6 Things to Include

• 27 October, Who’s Responsible for Maintaining a Uniform Policy?

• 14 November, 5 Mistakes Managers Make with Their First Uniform Order

• 15 November, How to Encourage and Manage Employee Uniform Responsibilities

• 16 November, 7 Reasons Why You Need a Dress Code in the Workplace

• 30 November, How to Approach a Dress Code Violation

• 20 December, 5 Reasons Your Office Uniform Policy Isn't Taken Seriously

• 22 December, 8 Questions Your Workwear Supplier Should Ask YOU Before An Order