Getting that balance right makes a small firm look capable and a large one look organised. It also helps when bidding for work, as clients notice a tidy, branded team.
Swarf, coolant and cutting fluid
Machining throws hot, sharp swarf and mists of coolant. Coveralls or a polo with fitted sleeves and close cuffs stop chips going down sleeves and keep loose fabric away from spindles and chucks. Gloves should never be worn on rotating machines where they could be caught; your risk assessment should cover this.
Cutting fluids can irritate skin, so washable workwear that is changed regularly matters.
Fitting, fabrication and the assembly bay
Fitters and fabricators lift heavy parts, grind, drill and sometimes weld. Cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses and toe-capped boots are standard. Anyone welding needs clothing to EN ISO 11611 rather than polycotton, as your assessment sets out. Fabrication bays are often cold and draughty, so a fleece or thermal under the coverall is welcome, provided it is not synthetic under FR welding kit. Lifting heavy fabrications also calls for proper gloves with good grip.
Design office and client sites
Design and project engineers spend most of the week at a desk but regularly visit client sites, construction projects and factories. A smart embroidered polo or shirt, softshell and a set of site PPE in the car covers both.
Many client sites ask for hi-vis, boots, helmet and glasses as a condition of entry. Check each site's rules before visiting, and keep the kit with your company logo so you are easy to identify.
Where to put your logo
Embroider the company logo on the left chest of polos, shirts, softshells and coveralls. It survives industrial washing and looks professional to visiting clients. For engineers who visit sites, add a printed logo on the back of hi-vis vests, on the fluorescent fabric only. FR welding garments need care, as some prints and threads can affect their performance; ask us and we will check the garment.
Ordering for engineering firms
Most engineering firms start with coveralls and boiler suits, workwear polo shirts and softshell jackets. You can order from one garment and add more as you take people on. The logo price drops at 9 and again at 25 garments, and every garment with a small logo counts towards it, so mixing styles and colours still gets the better price. Before anything is made, we embroider an actual sample of your logo and email you a photo to approve, or you can pop in to our Hull workshop to see it.
