Workwear for warehouses and distribution centres

Most sites also deal with high staff turnover and seasonal peaks. Kit needs to be simple to issue, easy to size and quick to reorder when a wave of new starters arrives.

Colour coding the floor

Many distribution centres use hi-vis colour to show roles: one colour for operatives, another for team leaders, first aiders or visitors. It lets a manager scan the floor and see who is where. A branded hi-vis vest or polo with the role printed on the back makes this clearer still.

EN ISO 20471 sets the standard for hi-vis. The class you need depends on your traffic management plan; check your site rules or risk assessment.

Concrete floors and dropped stock

Safety footwear is usually required. Lightweight safety trainers suit pickers walking all shift; EN ISO 20345 S1P or S3 are common choices, with midsole protection where staples, nails and broken pallets are around.

Cushioning matters as much as the toe cap. Sore feet are a big reason new starters do not come back for a second week. Replace worn insoles before they flatten.

Hands, blades and cold stores

Opening cases and cutting pallet wrap is where most hand injuries happen. Cut-resistant gloves rated under EN 388 protect without losing grip on a scanner.

Chilled and frozen zones need proper layers: thermal base layers, padded jackets and insulated gloves. Staff who move between ambient and chilled areas need kit that goes on and off quickly. Store gloves where staff pick up scanners.

Kitting out peak and agency staff

Have a simple starter pack ready: a vest or hi-vis polo, safety trainers and gloves. Hold a small stock of common sizes. Agency workers may fall under the PPE at Work Regulations as limb (b) workers, so agree who supplies their PPE. Label vests with sizes on the hanger and keep a simple log so kit comes back when temps leave.

Where to put your logo

Print is the usual choice on hi-vis vests and polos: a chest logo plus a role on the back, such as Team Leader or First Aider, makes the floor easy to read. Logos must sit on the fluorescent fabric only, never over reflective tape, and large designs can reduce the compliant area. Embroider office and management staff polos and softshells for a smarter look in the same colour scheme.

Ordering for warehouses and distribution centres

Most warehouses and distribution centres start with hi-vis vests, hi-vis T-shirts and polos and safety trainers. 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.