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  • BSIF warns against use of substandard PPE

    The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has warned against the use of substandard PPE, and highlighted its wide availability in the UK market

    The BSIF notes that that a recent recall of safety shoes sold via TikTok highlights this issue, where the recalled product claimed to offer protection despite failing to meet essential safety requirements. Similar footwear remains on sale on other platforms.

    The shoes in question have now been recalled by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) thanks to the work of Lewis Collantine, a product safety consultant specialising in trading standards.

    According to the OPSS the product, “presents a serious risk of injuries because although advertised as ‘anti-smash’ and ‘anti-puncture,’ there is no evidence it has undergone conformity assessment as PPE and it is not CE or UKCA marked.”

    “The product does not meet the requirements of the Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment or the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018.”

    No surprises

    Alan Murray, BSIF chief executive officer, said, “No surprises here. The BSIF has been aware of a burgeoning volume of substandard footwear available on platforms such as TikTok for some time, but we are pleased to see Trading Standards take action and we must applaud the work of Lewis Collantine, who has been instrumental in bringing this example to light.

    “This is exactly why the new Product Safety and Metrology Bill needs to ensure there are real ramifications for online suppliers who fail to provide properly certified products. Employers and users deserve confidence that PPE described as protective genuinely meets standards and offers the protection it claims.”

    The BSIF warns that many of these products are unwittingly purchased by individuals who have been given budgets to buy their own PPE but may not fully understand the rules, regulations, and certification requirements surrounding safety products.

    Murray stresses that substandard PPE claiming to be protective does not protect workers, and can put lives at risk.

    Roy Wilders, BSIF Registered Safety Supplier Scheme manager, said that the BSIF’s latest statistics show a 90% failure rate for products bought and tested from non-registered suppliers, compared to products from BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers, where almost 90% of products passed all the test criteria and where issues arose, they were immediately rectified.

    The BSIF reiterates the importance of buying PPE only from BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers, who are committed to supplying certified and compliant products that keep workers safe.


EU-OSHA's recent Pulse 2025 worker survey revealed that 33% of workers across the EU are exposed to climate change-related risks in the workplace

20% of the survey's respondents reported extreme heat exposure in the workplace, with 19% exposed to poor air quality.

35% of workers in agriculture, horticulture, forestry or fishing reported heat-related risk exposure. That figure sits at around 25% for construction and energy workers.

Of those exposed to heat risks in the workplace, one in 10 has been affected by heat-related symptoms like cramps or heatstroke. The same percentage works in intense sunlight.

EU-OSHA's executive director, William Cockburn, reacted to the survey's findings. "These findings show that workers across Europe face complex and evolving challenges. Nearly three in ten struggling with stress, depression or anxiety linked to their jobs. About a third worried that climate change could put their safety and health at risk.

"From adapting workplaces to the physical effects of climate change, to reducing the stigma around mental health and ensuring digital tools are introduced ethically ─ protecting the safety, health and dignity of Europe’s workforce must remain a top priority. This is especially important as we navigate the twin transitions of climate and digital change."

As Cockburn highlighted, it is not just climate-related risks and hazards facing workers. 44% of Pulse 2025 respondents reported severe time pressure or work overload, a figure that rises to half (50%) for health and social care workers.

Perhaps even more detrimentally to the talent pool and wider work force: 49% believe that disclosing details around their potential mental health risks and conditions could impact their careers negatively.

2025's Pulse survey was conducted in April 2025 among a pool of over 28,000 workers from across the European Union, including, for the first time in the survey's history, Switzerland.

Ergodyne has unveiled its latest winter work gear collection, designed to help workers stay safe and comfortable in extreme cold and harsh weather conditions.

The launch comes as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a volatile 2025-26 winter, with colder-than-normal temperatures expected across the northern Rockies and Plains, and wetter-than-average conditions across northern U.S. regions. The emerging La Niña pattern is anticipated to bring snow, frozen precipitation, and bursts of extreme cold, making proper winter gear essential for outdoor workers.

At the heart of the collection is the 6981 Winter Warming Kit, which equips workers with essential items for the season’s harshest conditions.

Highlights include the 6801 Winter Skull Cap with Rechargeable LED Light, a thermal beanie that keeps workers warm while providing built-in lighting for dark winter workdays; the 6808ZI Winter Bump Cap Beanie, a dual-function thermal beanie with a removable bump cap insert that offers both warmth and protection against minor impacts; and the 6831 Reflective Balaclava, a versatile 3-in-1 face, head, and neck covering with reflective detailing to enhance visibility in low-light or whiteout conditions.

Together, these products demonstrate Ergodyne’s commitment to equipping workers with reliable, durable gear that allows them to prepare for and respond effectively to winter hazards, ensuring both safety and productivity in challenging environments.

“We know that preparation is everything during the winter,” said Ergodyne product manager Claudia Weber. “These additions are all about helping crews stay safe, visible and warm no matter what the forecast delivers.”

“That’s never been lost on us,” said Ergodyne president Greg Schrab. “A great example are the gloves in our Winter Warming Kit (ProFlex 7401 Winter Work Gloves). Of course they’re warm but read the reviews and they’re all talking about how flexible and grippy they are. That’s not an accident. Anybody who’s ever spent a minute working outdoors in the cold knows how hard it can be to get a handle on even the most basic tasks, and that was the puzzle the team set out to solve when we were designing them. Warm isn’t enough for any of our winter gear.”


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