Uniform Considerations
There are of course many different considerations to make when designing a uniform for a utility worker or a security officer. The functionality of the uniform in accordance with the role, the safety of the employee wearing the uniform, the aesthetics of their appearance to customers, the employees attitude to their uniform, and brand identity and perception should all be taken into account. Although independent factors, they are inextricably linked and all crucial components of building suitable workplace attire.
Functionality
Workers in the utility and security sectors have very mobile and active roles and so their uniforms should allow them to perform their tasks with comfort and ease. Utility workers spend an awful lot of time crouched, fixing transformers, pipe systems and generators, so their uniforms should allow them maximum flexibility. This can be achieved with flexible panels sewn into clothing, elasticated waistbands and particular stitching techniques. Likewise, security officers sometimes have to chase and detain people which requires a fair amount of agility, speed and, of course, flexibility, so their uniforms should also allow for free range of movement. Tactical pants are often the best choice for both as they have a gusset and articulated knees for full movement, as well as the elasticated waist.
What’s more, tactical pants are covered with extremely practical pockets that allow utility workers and security agents to carry much needed equipment with them and keep it handy. Both jobs require a number of different tools, however for security officers, some equipment should be kept hidden. That’s where tactical pants differ from cargo pants, as they include a number of secret pockets so knives, tasers, magazines and other such weapons can be kept out of sight, as well as valuables such as keys. Belts can be used for bulkier items including flashlights, radios, handcuffs and batons, which are also essential for security workers.
Shirts and trousers should also be made out of sturdy fabric to prevent damage from undergoing their tasks, including reinforcements in the knees to prevent further wearing or tears when kneeling, crawling or crouching.
Since workers in both roles are required to spend a lot of their shifts on their feet, comfortable and practical boots are essential. They should be strong enough to protect their feet from the various hazards in their workplaces, such as fire, electrical currents and sharp objects, and flexible enough to allow for running when necessary.
Specialized Security Uniforms
Despite security officers having very similar roles across industries, there are some important considerations to make when choosing a security uniform, according to where exactly they will be working. Those working indoors will likely need short sleeves as opposed to those working outdoors, for their personal comfort as well as the casual yet professional image it gives off to customers. Security guards working outdoors will need additional clothing for warmth such as fleeces and sweaters with epaulets, elbow and shoulder pads for wear and tear. Epaulets are important as they denote rank so the public is aware of their status, as well as others in their organization.
Security officers transporting money or valuable materials will need extra protection from thieves including stab vests, hidden pockets for keys and weapons, and a helmet with face protection to ensure the protection of vital organs. In governmental or highly hazardous facilities, security officers will need similar protection, though their uniforms should also be fire retardant and designed to resemble military personnel to ward off intruders.
Conversely, luxurious hotels or malls will likely not need such military-style protection but instead would hold a more customer-oriented role, so a white dress shirt and dark suit pants would be more appropriate. If ties are required, clip-on ones are recommended to prevent strangulation in the case of an attack.
Safety
Of course, designing a uniform to fit the function of the role of the employee includes adding safety measures as well. All utility and security workers should have appropriately designed uniforms for the hazards that they face, including PPE, or Personal Protective Equipment.
Visibility
Visibility is crucial for utility workers and security personnel working outdoors at night, especially near roads and heavy machinery, where the hazards are increased. There is a variety of clothing elements that can be added to a uniform to make it more visible, however according to international standards, the three most important factors are; the fluorescent material, reflective strips, and contrast material.
Containing all three elements, there are standard yellow or orange high-visibility vests, jackets and pants available - some of which are waterproof - however, reflective strips can be added to polo shirts, fleeces and tactical pants to ensure safety in warmer weather. Fluorescent material is both useful for increased visibility in the day and night, while reflective strips are effective at night when lit up by a light source as their reflection shines brightly. Some hi-vis clothing has contrasting darker colors in the areas that attract the most dirt, such as cuffs and midriffs on tops and ankles of pants, which makes the fluorescent material stand out more.
Understanding maintenance of high-visibility clothing is essential. Most hi-vis clothing items last only 25 washes before the fluorescent colors fade and the reflective strips are ineffective, so it’s important to rotate clothing regularly to prevent build up of dirt or stains from not washing, or having to replace clothing more often.
For some security guards, being inconspicuous is more beneficial than being highly visible, so dark clothing such as black or blue are recommended. Conversely, utility workers don’t have human risk involved in their jobs so they should be visible at all times.
Cold
Pipes burst, transformers freeze and generators malfunction in cold weather so it’s important utility and security workers are dressed appropriately for poor weather and plummeting temperatures. Cold stress is a big risk as workers in the utility and security industries can spend long periods of time outdoors, so the internal body temperature can fall if outside temperatures drop below 8°C (46.4°F). In winter, thermal hats and gloves should be provided, as the extremities suffer from the cold more than the torso or legs, and 40% more body heat is lost from the head when uncovered. Fingerless gloves may be a useful option to allow for more dexterity while keeping the hands warm.
Heat
The heat can also be a major threat for workers outside for long periods of time, with sunburn, heat exhaustion and dehydration all providing potentially life-threatening risks. Fabric should be lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking to allow workers to cool off by sweating, without becoming uncomfortable. Baseball caps with the company logo or “SECURITY” written on them can also help keep employees cool without obscuring their vision or diminishing their professional appearance.
Flame Resistance
For utility workers, flame resistant clothing is of particular importance. In their day to day activities they encounter numerous fire hazards from electrical equipment to flammable gasses, so should be protected effectively. This includes flame resistant coveralls, pants, gloves, helmets and goggles.
Cost of Unsafe Workwear
Not keeping your employees safe of course has a human cost, but it also has a financial cost to bear. Losing employees temporarily has a great impact on a businesses finances due to the recruitment costs of employing a part-time or agency worker, paying sick leave to the injured employee and potentially being fined or sued for ineffective workplace health and safety measures. Losing an employee permanently can have an even more significant impact, with a fatal injury costing the economy approximately 1.9 million USD.
However unlikely the possibility of attack, or equipment malfunction, the risk is still there and preventive measures should be taken earnestly. The most common fatal workplace injury is falling from heights, while the second is injury caused by impact from a moving vehicle, so employees across all industries should be protected against such occurrences.
Women in the Workplace
When we talk of uniforms, women are often neglected as the clothes that are branded “unisex” often cater to the needs and body-shapes of men. This can actually play a dangerous role, both in the ill-feeling women have towards their employers who don’t think of their needs when adopting a uniform, and in their safety in the workplace. A company’s uniform range should cover the figures of men and women so that both can remain safe and comfortable to perform their tasks with ease.
If a uniform only caters to the male form, it can leave women looking unprofessional and untidy as their uniform hangs off them in an unsightly way. This can also restrict movement in certain positions which can make the work unsafe for women. For example, loose gloves can lead to poor grip, long trousers can be a trip hazard, and other baggy clothing may get caught in machinery. A uniform designed for women can prevent these hazards from taking place which in turn prevents a number of potentially serious injuries from taking place.
If a company risks the health and safety of women in this way, it can greatly affect their reputation. Uncomfortable or unprofessional-looking female staff make a company appear to disregard the wellbeing of their female employees, which lowers the trustability of the company and discourages customers from using their products or services.
Simply ensuring the safety and professional appearance of women in the workplace can improve morale from female staff and present a positive image to customers.
Aesthetics
While function is crucial for the safety and performance of staff at work, aesthetics have a great role to play in the way customers interact with a brand, as well as how employees feel at work.
As utility workers often have to travel as part of their work, for example in order to fix utilities that have malfunctioned, they make excellent brand ambassadors for a company. A professional and tidy appearance tells consumers that your business takes pride in itself and the image it presents to the wider public. This gives great credit to your professionalism and encourages customers to utilize your services.
Similarly, a professional appearance is crucial for a security guard in order to maintain an image of respectability and for customers to know that they take their role seriously, and so are safe patronizing that particular business. Indoor security officers look more professional wearing more formal suit pants, as opposed to more practical tactical pants for outside use. However, both indoor and outdoor security staff benefit from a traditional looking security uniform, with the organization’s name stitched onto clothing and “SECURITY” written clearly, so that they are recognizable to customers, if they are in need of assistance, and appear authoritative to anyone looking to cause a disturbance. It should also be clear to avoid any confusion with police uniforms.
Attitude
Uniforms are known to have a strong impact on the attitude an employee has to their work and their workplace, with well-designed, comfortable uniforms uniting staff members as a team across all industries. It also provides a division between home life and work life so employees feel more up to their responsibilities at work. This unity and motivation to work makes workers more productive and more satisfied in their employment, increasing employee retention and saving on recruitment costs.
For security officers especially, uniforms have proven to increase vigilance and boost confidence as a professional security uniform can establish a sense of authority which motivates employees and improves performance.
Brand Identity
The positive attitude and excellent performance that an attractive and practical uniform provokes, will also improve brand identity as customers associate your company with motivated and hard-working employees. Since utility employees are near constantly in the public eye, working in water, sewage, electric and gas, their uniforms should be clearly in company colors with the logo on the front of polo shirts, the back of outerwear and across any hats or other accessories to effectively harness this opportunity for advertisement for your company.
While this increases brand awareness, if the uniform is both practical and stylish, this will reflect positively on your company, improving brand perception, as it’s clear you take the wellbeing of your staff seriously and care for your brand image.
For security personnel, a great uniform represents many things to customers. It shows that you take the safety of your customers seriously, by outfitting your staff practically as well as implying that they have had formal training for their roles. It also commands an authority which makes customers feel safe and deters unwanted visitors, greatly improving brand perception.
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