Based on German standards for protective clothing and occupational health and safety systems, mechanical engineering companies must meet stricter requirements when purchasing different types of workwear. Below is a summary of the guidelines based on the German Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG), the PSA Regulation (PSA-BV), and the EU Regulation 2016/425, as well as the implementation of these standards into company procurement practices.

1. Principles for the Purchase of Workwear

Compliance with German PSA Regulations and Safety Standards
According to German law, all workwear and personal protective equipment (PSA) must be CE certified and meet the requirements of EU Regulation 2016/425 and the German Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG). The protective clothing must undergo strict testing and evaluation to ensure that it provides sufficient protection for employees during use. These products are classified into three categories based on different protection levels:

• Category I: Suitable for low-risk environments (e.g., general mechanical work), primarily for protection against light physical injuries.
• Category II: Suitable for medium-risk scenarios (e.g., high noise, mechanical impacts), commonly used in industrial and construction work.
• Category III: Suitable for high-risk environments (e.g., chemical processing, high-temperature work, fall protection), requiring special designs and tests.

Safety and Protection Requirements
German occupational safety authorities (e.g., BG Bau, BG ETEM) have clear requirements for the design and material selection of protective clothing:

• Protection: Workwear should be chosen according to the job type, with requirements such as flame retardancy, chemical resistance, cut resistance, and anti-static properties. For example, welders must wear EN ISO 11611-certified flame-resistant clothing, while chemical workers need clothing certified to EN 14605 for protection against liquid chemical splashes.
• Durability: Protective clothing must be highly tear-resistant and abrasion-resistant to withstand the complex work environments of mechanical engineering companies. When purchasing, ensure that the material meets the impact and abrasion resistance requirements of EN 388.
• Breathability and Comfort: Choose materials with good breathability and moisture-wicking properties, such as cotton-polyester blends, to ensure employees’ comfort during long working hours.

Ergonomics and Design
Workwear design must follow ergonomic principles and consider employees’ work habits. According to Section 12 of the German Occupational Health and Safety Act, workwear must be designed to accommodate differences in body shapes and be available in various sizes (e.g., XS-XXXL). The clothing should have a relaxed but not loose fit to ensure freedom of movement without compromising safety.

2. Material and Functional Requirements for Workwear

Fabric Selection and Thickness
The choice of fabric for workwear should vary according to the season and work environment:

• Summer fabrics: Lightweight materials such as cotton or cotton-polyester blends (200-250 g/m²) to ensure good breathability and comfort.
• Winter fabrics: Thicker materials (320-400 g/m²) with additional linings to improve warmth.
• Protective fabrics: Flame-resistant fabrics must meet the requirements of EN ISO 14116. Depending on the specific work environment, special functionalities such as chemical resistance, anti-static properties, and cut resistance should be considered.

Special Protective Functions

• Flame and Anti-Static Protection: In flammable or explosive environments, flame-resistant clothing that meets the requirements of EN 1149-5 for anti-static protection should be used.
• Water and Oil Resistance: The choice of specially treated polyester fabrics ensures oil and water resistance, suitable for use in the oil industry or chemical environments.

3. Management and Maintenance of Protective Clothing

Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Protective clothing should be professionally inspected annually, with inspection intervals depending on the risk category (Category I, II, III) of the work environment. In high-risk environments (e.g., Category III), protective clothing should be inspected at least every six months and evaluated and certified by qualified testing institutions.
Cleaning and Care
The cleaning and maintenance of protective clothing must follow the manufacturer’s instructions and be performed in a professional environment to prevent damage to the protective functions caused by improper cleaning. Special attention must be paid to flame-resistant, anti-static, and chemical-resistant clothing to ensure that the original protective properties are maintained after each wash.

4. Corporate Responsibility and Employee Training

Employee Training and Education
The company must provide comprehensive training for employees on the use and care of protective clothing to ensure that they understand and master its correct use. According to Section 12 of the German Occupational Health and Safety Act, the company must organize training at least once a year to ensure that employees’ awareness of occupational health and safety is compliant with the regulations.
Accident Insurance and Corporate Responsibility
According to German occupational health and safety management regulations (BG rules) and accident insurance regulations (DGUV V2), the company must provide employees with appropriate protective equipment and is responsible for accidents caused by inadequate protection. Occupational accident insurance organizations (e.g., BG Bau) have strict rules for the prevention, handling, and compensation of occupational accidents.

5. Additional Considerations

Product Compliance and Certification
Protective clothing and PPE must be certified by BG Prüfzert or similar institutions. The product label must clearly state the protection class, applicable standards (e.g., EN ISO 20471 for high visibility), and certification number.
Employee Feedback and Optimization
Before large-scale procurement, a test phase and feedback collection from employees is recommended. According to best practices in German occupational safety management, employers should consider employees’ actual needs and opinions as an important basis for improving the design and procurement of protective clothing.
By considering these requirements comprehensively, mechanical engineering companies can ensure that their workwear procurement complies with German safety standards, providing employees with safe, comfortable, and durable workwear while effectively improving the company’s overall safety management.
Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/arbschg/