Published: May 12, 2021 | Updated: 13th May 2021
A workwear company is reporting a surge in demand for new protective equipment as a result of the rise in electric and hybrid vehicles.
The ever-increasing trend towards such vehicles is leading to a mini-revolution in the way the motor trade clothe their staff to ensure that new safety guidance is met.
Workwear Pro Direct, which has an office in Dorchester, says the automotive sector is rapidly changing, and traditional car mechanics are almost a thing of the past.
The modern term for a mechanic is a technician.
With the rapid migration away from the combustion engine, many technicians have already been re-trained in order to maintain electric powered vehicles.
However, the typical electric vehicle (EV) contains a deadly level of electrical charge, says Workwear Pro Direct.
The motor trade is having to protect its technicians by re-clothing their teams in new PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) so they can carry out their work safely.
Tim Yorke-Dunne, Non-Executive Group Commercial Director of Workwear Pro Direct, and a former Director of an automotive company, said: “Workwear manufacturers have developed many new ranges of head-to-toe protection, meeting the rising demand to protect workers exposed to the high voltages now involved in vehicle maintenance.”
Examples of PPE required include face shields to protect a technician’s eyes from potential ‘flash-over’, caused if an electrical spark is produced.
Most EV manufacturers also recommend that insulated rubber gloves should be worn when working near all high-voltage components, not just the vehicle batteries.
Standard Latex gloves are not thick enough and do not provide sufficient protection from the shock hazard.
It is also recommended that cotton under-gloves should be worn to give complete protection.
Other PPE needed include insulating rubber aprons to protect technicians working with live voltages up to 1 kilovolt.
And also special dielectric overboots have to be worn over existing footwear.
These provide additional protection of insulation, preventing electric shocks should a vehicle technician come into contact with a live electric source.
Manufacturers have also designed specific non-metallic work boots and shoes to protect workers from electrical discharges up 18 kilovolts.
The increase in electric vehicles has impacted the new car manufacturers and regional dealerships the most to date.
However, the first generation of electric and hybrid vehicles are now reaching the used car market.
Workwear Pro Direct says many independent garages and repair centres will need to ensure that they upgrade their team’s PPE in the very near future.
It has been helping a number of regional automotive dealers to specify and source the correct PPE for use with electric vehicles and is happy to provide free advice to those who need assistance.
