In today’s work environment there are numerous jobs and situations where we have to wear protective garments and in some it is a legal requirement to wear specific apparel and equipment to protect us from the dangers involved, such as hi-vis and hardhat on construction sites.

In most normal work places we require garments that are both durable and tough, so that you receive the appropriate protection against accident and injury for the lifetime of the garment. In certain scenarios however there are situations where new equipment must be used each and every time, and that is where disposable items come to the fore. Items include gloves, such as the Portwest Nitrile Disposable Glove, overalls, facemasks, ear defenders are examples of items that are available as one use only, before they are thrown away, in the correct manner obviously.

As well as providing benefits, there are of course some drawbacks to consider too.

When it comes to jobs where hygiene is important, anything to do with health then one use makes excellent sense, to reduce the chance of infection, masks, gloves and certain surgical gowns are all one use only items. This is also appropriate for major crime scenes and archaeological sites, both to avoid contaminating the site, although for different reasons. If you work in areas that involve things like paint, grease or other oil based products you may find that at the end of the day they become so dirty they it makes sense to use disposable items as it will save time on cleaning and reduces the risk of other areas, or other items of workwear being damaged or affected. This can also be well suited to areas where you only require infrequent usage of these items, so that normal workwear is protected.

However, we are all well aware of concerns about our environment and the impact our throwaway culture has on it. The idea that we are using something once and throwing it away can seem wasteful, but in certain circumstances, because of the modern materials being used, a lot more can now be recycled.

In certain areas you may find that in the short term disposable items will be cheaper, but in the long term it will normally be more cost effective to purchase more durable products and work wear

Another point is that you may have to satisfy regulatory requirements which could preclude one use items, and so they may not be available to you as a option. What is always required is that you make a proper assessment of each individual situation, the hazards and potential dangers the employee would face and then to select the appropriate garments and items that satisfy both the business and regulations. Then you can be certain that the use of disposable items is right and proper for both your business and the job in hand.