home

Our partner in Pakistan, Haseen Habib Trading Private Limited, has successfully promoted ULTITEC 3000T to Engro Fertilizers, a renowned name in the fertilizer industry in Pakistan. As the largest manufacturer, importer and exporter of safety products in Pakistan, we are pleased to have this powerful partner to promote ULTITEC in their market.

– Quote –

Engro Fertilizers is a fertilizer production company in Pakistan and a subsidiary of Engro Corporation. They hold a nationwide production and complete marketing infrastructure in producing fertilizer brands tailored for local cultivation demands.

The customer had been using the D brand and was already satisfied with it. We came up with ULTITEC vs. Market Equivalent Products marketing strategy by providing free samples of ULTITEC 3000T and proposed brand switching from the competitor.

We also offered extra services namely free shipping and hassle-free returns if a defect occurs to convince them. They did product analysis, inspected the coverall certification and ultimately chose ULTITEC 3000T with satisfaction. This process took place in December 2018 and, so far, ULTITEC 3000T has been well accepted with encouraging reviews.

ULTITEC 3000T was used by safety supervisors and workers in daily operations against urea, which is a colorless and odorless organic compound. Repeated or prolonged contact with urea on the skin may cause dermatitis, and high concentrations in the blood can be damaging. Therefore, they need a coverall to protect against these hidden occupational threats.

We are pleased that our efforts have paid off and successfully allowed ULTITEC coveralls to enter the fertilizer industry. We will continue to educate more users to select coveralls that best fit their workplace as “Better a thousand times careful than once dead. Be safe and smile”. We strongly believe that safety does not happen by accident, you must practice it!

–Anas Zia, Sales Manager of Haseen Habib Trading Private Limited

– Quote –

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a great impact on increasing the production of protective equipment to cope with the rising demand, panic buying, hoarding and misuse of these protective gadgets. Since these are mainly for frontline operators to combat the coronavirus, there is a rise in stringent government regulations towards Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as life matters most.

From the past articles, we have been educating about the difference between gown and coverall, EN 14126 against infective agents, and The Golden Triangle Rules to go home safely. We shall now focus on the coverall construction details namely Garment Design, Fabric Technology and Seam Technology, as they are the key considerations related to comfort and functionality for working efficiency.

Garment Design of Coverall

The garment design can be considered as part of the coverall selection process, especially when certain features including closures will greatly affect protection. For example, a coverall with a front zipper closure could result in the compromise of barrier protection if the zipper used is not covered with a storm flap or adhesive tape that can be further sealed to the garment. This is especially important when biological hazards or contaminated fluids may come from many directions without notice. If your working mode requires major movement like squatting and crawling, you will need ample space through the crotch to prevent the rupture of the fabric.

Besides the front zipper and storm flap, 3-piece hoods are applied to the coverall for optimal head fit and smooth head movement. The 3-piece hoods have three pieces of fabric sewn together with two seams. The seams run from the back of the neck all the way to the front of the hood and are located on either side of what would be a centerline. The extra fabric piece and seam make the hood more form-fitting, comfortable and helps it stay in place better than the 2-piece design.

Figure 1. The ergonomic design applied for coverall

Fabric Technology of Coverall

An unprecedented rise in the COVID-19 pandemic has put the lives of frontline operators at high risk. These frontline heroes are suffering due to large-scale unavailability of PPE, majorly coveralls, or even if they have it, it is not made according to standards. According to our industry experience of nearly 30 years, we encourage users to pay attention to fabric physical properties, namely abrasion resistance, flex cracking resistance, trapezoidal tear resistance, tensile strength, puncture resistance, etc.

These fabric physical performances can be a reference point during the selection of appropriate protective clothing for your workplace. For example, flex cracking resistance is important for industrial applications, as the daily tasks can be very physical and need hard-wearing coveralls. Thus, the flexibility of the fabric should become a key consideration for users. Their work situations will need to wear coveralls for long hours and the fabric will be flexed and creased through the day in conjunction with their working movements. Therefore, it is necessary to have a coverall made from fabric that is not likely to crack and thus provide a weak point for penetration of potentially harmful particulates or liquids.

Chart 1. Flex cracking resistance comparison among key market players

During this pandemic, besides educating on fabric physical performances, we have been communicating to users that instead of fabric weight, users should concern more about the protection capabilities. Because we have a full series of coveralls, and they might look the same at the first glance, knowing more about the differentiation becomes especially important to get appropriate protection against your potential hazards in the workplace. Even though they might be classified as the same Type certification, their protection level might differ when running into the same hazards.

Chart 2. Comparison of coveralls based on the protection level

If there are two coveralls with similar Type 5 certification, when particulate protection is needed, ULTITEC 1000L is sufficient. But if liquid protection is needed, ULITEC 2000 is a more appropriate option. If the liquid involves pesticides, a coverall with DIN 32781 certification is required during the pesticide spraying process. Moreover, if your workplace may encounter biological hazards, CE certification of EN 14126 against infective agents will become a key factor in coverall selection.

Seam Technology of Coverall

Besides garment design and fabric construction, seam construction is relatively important before a coverall can be classified as appropriate protective clothing. There are multiple seam methods available in the market, mainly consists of the overlocked seam (either 3 or 4 threads), stitched with tape seam, ultrasonic seam, bound stitched seam and others.

Figure 2. Stronger 4-thread overlocked seam	Figure 3. Normal 3-thread seam

Among all seams, instead of 3 threads which are commonly used by market players, a deeper 4-thread overlocked seam is the simplest yet effective in holding the fabric together and protecting against liquid splashes as well as dry particulates. If a higher level of leak resistance is needed, liquid-proof tapes can be applied over the seam to ensure users being protected with no seepage. The seam construction should be appropriate for the level of protection needed.

Figure 4. Overlocked seam with liquid-proof tape

Chart 3. Seam strength comparison among key market players

Different seam types will then result in different seam strengths, it can then affect the quality and appearance of coveralls. Moreover, the performance of the seams is dependent upon the stitch density, stitch width, seam allowance, stitch length, seam thickness, sewing needle penetration force and others. Seams of the coverall must be durable and smooth, or else it will result in negative extensibility, durability and efficiency of the seams.

Conclusion

Good coveralls offer more than protection but include in comfort and functionality for working efficiency. Besides abiding by the world-recognized PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425, the Garment Design, Fabric Technology and Seam Technology are three key considerations for users in their coverall selection process. These product information can be requested from the manufacturer and they shall provide users with Technical Data Sheet (TDS) to allow a deep understanding of the coveralls prior to purchase action. Make sure you choose coveralls that not only offer the protection you need but ones that will make life at your job better!

• ULTITEC Played Significant Role During COVID-19
• Understanding EN 14126:2003 for Battle Against COVID-19
• What Protective Clothing Is Appropriate for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease Control ?
• What should you understand about CE test standard for protective clothing?
• How Well Do You Understand EN 14126:2003? Protection Against Biological Agents in Workplace
• COVID-19: What Can You Do to Protect Yourself
• EN 14126 Certified Protective Clothing to Protect Against COVID-19

Since the beginning of 2020, ULTITEC 2000 has been applied for COVID-19 Disease Control globally, and it was our honored to be reported on Health & Safety International (HSI) Magazine in September 2020 issue. We are delighted to share this article with you, and show the world that “ULTITEC is helping”!

The up-to-date marketing collateral is on Data Center for you right away

Are you living a fast-paced life and sometimes do not have enough time for organizing the file at work? ULTITEC understands that document management could be time-consuming. To support our global partners’ marketing and sales team and save their time, ULTITEC has created an online platform, Data Center, which collected all the newest marketing collaterals and product files you will need to utilize as the promotional material to connect with the end-user.

The Highlights of Data Center:

• Obtain the marketing collateral and product files despite time zone differences
• Save your time for file management
• Acquire the most accurate co-marketing support and sales kits anywhere

The product file is always ready to use

The marketing and product file management has been done for you

How to access ULTITEC Data Center?

Simply log in at ultitec-protection.com, and username and password are available upon request.

ULTITEC is constantly supporting our partners and spreading “Act without fear!” spirit throughout 27 countries globally. Shall you need any further assistance or would like to cooperate with us, please feel free to contact our professional team!

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than one million work-related deaths happen each year and hundreds of millions of employees suffer from workplace accidents and occupational exposure to hazardous substances in the world.

To mitigate the risk in the workplace, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be adopted to guard against chemical or toxic hazard exposure. Especially for protective clothing, it can be used in almost every workplace from the food processing commercial kitchen to the industrial factory. During the COVID-19, protective clothing can prevent frontline healthcare operators from contamination if it is worn properly. Therefore, adopting protective garments correctly will be crucial to minimize safety hazards and avoid accidents in the workplace.

How to keep you safe at work?

As knowing the importance of wearing protective garments, other factors may determine whether if the protective clothing is safe enough for the frontline operators to complete their working tasks. Based on ULTITEC’s worldwide experiences of offering body protection solutions over the past decades, follow “The Golden Triangle Rules to Go Home Safely” (Figure 1.) below will reduce the risk of contamination.

Figure 1. The Golden Triangle Rules to Go Home Safely

Golden Rule 1. Identify the risk

The risk compliance standards are derived from the hazards present instead of the industry. In addition, not every frontline operator will encounter the same hazards, and a lot of harmful agents are invisible and long-lasting. Hence, before selecting appropriate protective clothing, the first step is implementing the hazard assessment from the staff’s daily operational responsibilities in the workplace.

The common hazardous substances in the workplace

• Gas or vapor: compressed gas, toxic vapor, natural gas, medical gas, chemical vapor, etc.
• Liquid: liquid chemicals, acids, caustic liquids, flammable liquids, etc.
• Particle: dust, mist, fume, virus particles, etc.

These harmful agents may contact the skin through various methods, such as jet, spray, splash, soak, or contact directly. For instance, if there is toxic liquid in the work environment, Type 3 or Type 4 protective clothing is recommended for the operators to protect themselves.

Golden Rule 2. CE Certification

Whilst the types of hazards at the workplace have been identified but cannot be prevented by other methods, protective clothing shall be selected to reduce the hazardous exposure and the danger level. The protective clothing shall be selected must be CE marking under regulation (EU) 2016/425, which is the strictest PPE standard at the present.

After the confirmation of CE marking protective garment, the first decision that needs to be made is the types of protective clothing, which is following the protective level (Figure 2.) below.

Figure 2. The protective level of protective clothing

There are a few types of protective clothing that can guard against different hazards.

Table 1. The types of protective clothing

Apart from Type1 to 6, there are other standards of protection for protective clothing.

Table 2. Other standards for protective clothing

Take the hazards of the oil and gas industry, for example, if the operator encounters the risk of high-pressure lines or equipment at the workplace, Type 3 protective clothing will be recommended for keeping safe from the strong and directional chemical fluid jets.

For further information regarding the test methods of the standards above, please click What should you understand about the CE test standard for protective clothing?

Additionally, read the ULTITEC Protective Clothing Selecting chart for knowing the equivalent protective level.

Golden Rule 3. Correct Usage

After the risk assessment and selection of protective clothing with CE marking have been done, would it be safe enough for the frontline personnel in the work environment with potential contaminated risks?

Based on a study published in the Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology journal, which found that around 40% of healthcare providers did not make PPE doffing process properly, and this resulted in the higher possibility of spreading drug-resistant bacteria and contamination. Hence, the correct application of donning and doffing procedures is a critical factor for minimizing hazardous risks, and this training session shall be provided periodically to ensure the frontline personnel’s occupational safety. ULTITEC has advised the proper donning and doffing instruction as below.

• Donning Processes

1. Select appropriate coverall and read User Instruction thoroughly.
2. Remove shoes and secure trousers into socks. Step into legs of coverall and place coverall over safety boots.
3. Pull coverall towards arms and shoulders.
4. Pull zipper halfway up. Put on a face mask (or respirator) and goggles. Pull hood over as head coverings. Cover sleeves over gloves.
5. Zip up coverall to chin and ensure hood fits tightly to face, and seal storm flap with adhesive tape if any (Applicable for Type 3 and Type 4)
6. Stretch to ensure coverall fits appropriately for ease of work movement and optimum protection.

• Doffing Processes

1. Remove adhesive tape (Applicable for Type 3 and Type 4)
2. Unzip to the waist.
3. Grab outer part and pull hood away from the head. Avoid contaminated gloves to touch the head.
4. Release the first arm and strip off the glove from behind the back.
5. Release the first arm from coverall and glove. Release second arm and glove from inside of coverall. Sit and roll down contaminated coverall from inside towards outside.
6. Draw out legs from safety boots. Use a clean hand to remove goggles and face mask (or respirator) from behind. Fold or roll into a bundle and dispose of coverall responsibly.

Please view the full instruction here or the video ULTITEC donning and doffing instruction.

Disposal and Storage Methods

The correct disposal and storage procedures could also reduce the risk of contamination as well as maintain the efficacy of protective clothing.

• Disposal Method

The contaminated apparel shall be disposed of as the same means as contaminated waste and complied with national regulations; whereas; the uncontaminated apparel shall be recycled and obey with national regulations.

• Storage

The apparel shall be stored in a dry and clean environment within the temperature range from 15°C to 25°C and humidity below 80%. The shelf life is 60 months for ULTITEC products, as time goes by, the user must ensure whether if the antistatic performance is sufficient for the application.

Conclusion

Hazardous risks may cause accidents or deaths at the workplace, and the final line of protection to mitigate the occurrence is equipping with PPE such as protective clothing in the contaminated environment. Keep “The Golden Triangle Rules” in mind and implement these rules in the work environment will help the frontline personnel return home safely. The first golden rule is identifying and assessing the risk at the workplace, then the second golden rule is selecting the protective clothing with CE marking, and the last golden rule is using the protective garments correctly, including a proper donning and doffing process, appropriate disposal methods as well as a suitable storage environment.

• ULTITEC Played Significant Role During COVID-19
• Understanding EN 14126:2003 for Battle Against COVID-19
• What Protective Clothing Is Appropriate for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease Control ?
• What should you understand about CE test standard for protective clothing?
• How Well Do You Understand EN 14126:2003? Protection Against Biological Agents in Workplace
• COVID-19: What Can You Do to Protect Yourself
• EN 14126 Certified Protective Clothing to Protect Against COVID-19

ULTITEC 2000 was recognized by Indonesia’s biggest budget airline Lion Air for its aircraft painting and disinfection for COVID-19. We are proud of our Indonesia partner in this achievement and here is his testimonial to share with us.

– Quote –

Due to the expansion of aircraft painting factory, Lion Air safety officers have been evaluating suitable PPE. The groundcrew will face stripping, sanding, refinishing, touching up, and blasting which required exposure to chemicals, vapors, mist, dust, or airborne debris that may be hazardous.

We recommended ULTITEC 2000 and sent samples to them. They have done field testing and confirmed it is qualified based on its protective capability against liquid splash. Due to the painting process is done in a closed environment with adequate ventilation, breathability is a key consideration to prevent heat exhaustion. ULTITEC 2000 fulfilled this criterion by its microporous film fabric construction.

Lion Air also focuses on brand observation. We appended technical datasheets, competitor comparison charts, and global case studies for their reference. This further convinced their decision board to opt for brand switching to ULTITEC 2000. Batam Island aims to become an aviation maintenance center for Southeast Asia, so we are optimistic about the future usage of ULTITEC in the aviation industry.

Lastly, due to COVID-19, Lion Air applied ULTITEC 2000  to disinfect a Lion Air Boeing 737-800 at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The ground crew disinfected the cockpit before take-off, sterilized the cabin and seats to ensure the safety of passengers. We are proud to be a part of the ULTITEC family and will continue to do our best in promoting the coveralls!

–Mr. Pieter Wijaya, Managing Director of PT. Weldbro International

– Quote –

COVID-19 has caused significant impacts on everyday life since early 2020. To prevent the infectious disease, selecting a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is authorized with the global organization plays a crucial role for the distributors and buyers.

However, various PPE quality specifications in the global marketplace may cause confusion. For protective clothing, some might be only searching for EN 14126:2003 or ASTM 1670/1671 tested ones which would not be enough for the selecting standards. To be clarified, in the case of COVID-19 or infectious disease, the distributors shall select the PPE which satisfies the strictest requirement in the world, Category III of Regulation (EU) 2016 / 425.

In Category III, the authorized CE mark comes with four digital numbers of a Notified Body, and a CE certified PPE should be verified through the process of Module B and then either Module C2 or Module D. For instance, all ULTITEC series are certified as CE 0598 by the Notified Body of SGS Fimko Oy as the flow chart showed below.

• Module B: EU Type-examination

EU type-examination is a part of a conformity assessment procedure. The Notified Body will examine the technical design of PPE to verify if the design meets the requirement of (EU)2016/425. When the type meets the applicable requirements, the notified body shall issue an EU Type-examination certification to the manufacturer.

• Module C2: Internal production control plus supervised product check

The PPE product of the manufacturer shall be inspected and checked if it meets the type described in the EU Type-Examination annually at random intervals by the Notified Body.

• Module D: Quality assurance of the production process

The production process at the manufacturer’s site shall be evaluated annually by the Notified Body to ensure if it satisfies the type described in the EU type-examination and complies with the applicable requirements of EU Regulation.

Conclusion

The key element of selecting an appropriate PPE will be examining whether if the product is fully CE marking. Honorably, all ULTITEC series are entirely CE marking as well as certified with Module B plus Module D, and we are consistently providing safety shield for comprehensive protection to the frontline heroes!

2020 is on track to be one of record-breaking hottest years. When the body could not cool itself enough to maintain a safe temperature, heat stress is often a major healthcare problem. Therefore, frontline operators should be given extra care as they must wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during COVID-19 infection control.

Heat stress can cause heat exhaustion and lead to heat stroke if the body core temperature is unable to cool down. The major symptoms of two conditions are different, hence the first aid guide also varies based on each situation. Please be aware that heatstroke is the most severe form of heat illness, it is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Figure 1. Comparison of Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke

Wearing PPE increases heat stress, but other conditions also impose an increased risk of heat-related illness on medical personnel. These include working in hot ambulatory care services, working long shifts with short breaks, and having limited opportunity to consume liquids to remain hydrated.

Prevent Heat Stress Under COVID-19 for Frontline Operator

Due to COVID-19 disease control, some frontline operators need to wear additional PPE more than usual in their workplace. This can contribute to difficulties in dissipating heat from the body and causing heat illness. There are however five ways to reduce heat stress risks and stay healthy from COVID-19 when wearing full PPE:

Start Cool Before Working

Frontline operators are encouraged to hydrate with cold beverages or ice slurry before putting on your PPE. Precooling helps lower the core temperature of your starting body and become acclimatized to the heat.

Reduce Rises in Body Core Temperature by Appropriate Coverall

As protective clothing covers most body parts during the infection control process, this makes it difficult to lose body heat as sweats cannot evaporate easily. You can select breathable protective clothing by focusing on the Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR), Resistance to Evaporating Heat Transfer (Ret), and breathability of the fabric. You can also reduce layers of clothing underneath and be effective in your movements to minimize an excessive increase in body heat.

• Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR)

It can be referred to the speed at which sweat dissipates from the skin and achieve the desired effect of “moisture-wicking”. It can be an indicator of how comfortable a coverall is for its wearer.

• Resistance to Evaporating Heat Transfer (Ret)

It determines the resistance that a material has to water vapor. In contrast to the MVTR, the lower the Ret value is the less resistance to moisture transfer and therefore higher breathability.

Figure 2. ULTITEC Fabric Construction

Encourage Work/Rest Schedules and Stay Hydrated

We should set up a ventilated rest area and provide them with regular and longer breaks. It will effectively allow body heat to dissipate. Prepare clean and cool drinking water in the rest area to remain hydrated, as the body consists of around 60% water.

Social Distancing

One of the most effective methods for limiting the spread of COVID-19 is to keep a certain distance. For example, keep physical distance between each other within the rest area. Each rest area should also limit the number of individuals, in line with the local guidelines on gathering capacity.

Prevention Supplies

Provide sufficient COVID-19 prevention supplies onsite namely soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers (at least 60% alcohol), tissues, and trash baskets. If possible, daily PPE replacement is better at remaining safe in the workplace.

Figure 3. ULTITEC Being Applied for COVID-19 Disease Control

Conclusion

Although precautions for heat stress are simple but often overlooked. This information series aims to highlight some issues and options to take into consideration when managing the health risks of extreme heat during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to ensure that frontline operators are protected from both infection and heat stress so that they can continue to perform their duties effectively throughout the crisis.

• ULTITEC Played Significant Role During COVID-19
• Understanding EN 14126:2003 for Battle Against COVID-19
• What Protective Clothing Is Appropriate for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease Control ?
• What should you understand about CE test standard for protective clothing?
• How Well Do You Understand EN 14126:2003? Protection Against Biological Agents in Workplace
• COVID-19: What Can You Do to Protect Yourself
• EN 14126 Certified Protective Clothing to Protect Against COVID-19

After COVID-19’s outbreak, we have recognized the value of online marketing in keeping business going. ULTITEC is here to help our global partners to connect with end-users by creating a valuable platform for them!

We uploaded a complete collection of online product training videos, ranging from ULTITEC 500 to ULTITEC 5000 protective clothing, including liquid proof and chemical resistance accessories.

By having these videos in hands, ULTITEC partners can:

• Browse through these videos despite time zone differences.
• Refresh product features at anytime and from anywhere before a briefing with end-users.
• View multi-language captions by selecting your local language in easy clicks.

Introduction of Detailed Product Features

Multi-language Captions Available

ULTITEC is marketing in 27 countries or regions now. We continue to look for a trustworthy partner to spread the “Act without fear!” spirit over the world and it might be you!

ULTITEC has received all sorts of inquiries since the COVID-19 outbreak. We played a significant role in becoming a good listener and systematically solved these questions for you. They are categorized into 7 topics, namely COVID-19, Product, Disposal, Storage, Limitation, Purchase and Distributor.

Here are the Top 10 questions:

• What is the difference between gown and protective clothing?
• Which ULTITEC products are recommended for COVID-19 protection?
• What certifications do you have? Do you have EN 14126 certification?
• Does ULTITEC products reach AAMI Level 4?
• What is the shelf life of protective clothing?
• Can I wash or launder ULTITEC protective clothing?
• What is your normal lead time?
• What is the MOQ of ULTITEC coverall?
• How do I purchase your products?
• How to become your distributor?

Please view here for full version. If your questions are not on the list, please contact us for more information.