Painter's essentials: Choosing the right equipment to work safely

Whether you're a professional or amateur painter, having the right equipment is essential to guarantee safety, comfort and efficiency on your worksites. In this article, we take a look at the essential equipment for painters, focusing on safety footwear and workwear suited to your activity.

SAFETY SHOES

Safety shoes for painters: are they obligatory?

Regulations on the wearing of safety footwear vary from country to country, sector to sector and working conditions to working conditions. In France, the Labour Code requires employers to provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) only when risks cannot be avoided or sufficiently reduced by other means. To find out more, you can read our article ‘Are safety shoes compulsory or not?

Wearing safety shoes may be compulsory if they are mentioned in the specifications for a site or by the company's collective agreement, or if the site presents hazards such as: the presence of heavy or sharp objects on the ground, the risk of falls (particularly when using ladders or scaffolding) or exposure to chemical or slippery products (paints, solvents, etc.). However, even if they are not strictly required, they are still strongly recommended to protect feet from accidents.

What are the criteria for choosing safety footwear?

- Slip resistance: All safety footwear is subject to a detergent/ceramic slip test, which is part of the basic SB requirements. A glycerine/ceramic test may also be carried out as an additional requirement (SR marking). This is a fundamental requirement for painters who may come into contact with liquids on worksite floors.

- Puncture resistance: To protect against sharp or perforating objects on a worksite, it is essential to choose a safety shoe that is puncture-resistant, i.e. with an anti-puncture insert.

- Toe protection: Safety footwear has a protective toe cap to protect the feet from falling heavy objects, which are common on construction sites.

- Chemical resistance: Paints and solvents can damage certain materials. Choose footwear that is resistant to corrosive products.

- The additional ‘LG’ requirement: This additional ‘LG’ (Ladder Grip) requirement sets out the features of the unhooked heel to enhance safety when working on ladders, as in the case of painters.

Our selection of safety shoes

For painters, let us introduce you to the white safety shoes in the Racing range: RAGAR and ROGAR.

These are mixed safety shoes with a sober sportswear look, developed to provide protection and comfort for professionals looking for versatility.

These safety trainers comply with the EN ISO 20345: 2022 standard and are marked S3S SR FO. Versatile, they protect your feet on uneven or slippery ground, indoors or out. ESD, they comply with antistatic standards. CI HI, their sole insulates against heat and cold.

Comfortable, the Ragar and Rogar combine a breathable 3D mesh lining, a subtly grained upper in easy-to-clean microfibre and a foamed collar. They are equipped with 3 PARADE technologies:

> BE-FLEX 2.0: for better rolling when walking and more flexibility in the forefoot ;

> VPS SYSTEM (Suspended Plantar Arch): for long-lasting comfort, even when standing for long periods, thanks to ergonomic support for the natural arch of the foot;

> DRS 2 (Delete Resonance System on Racing sports sole) for extra cushioning.

WORKWEAR

Our selection of PARADE workwear

There are no clothes that are specific to painters. A painter spends his days moving, climbing and exposing himself to paint splashes. A painter's clothes simply have to be comfortable, not too loose, and allow for ease of movement. Clothes must therefore be both functional and hard-wearing.

Here's what to look for in suitable workwear:

- Workwear with multiple pockets; ideal for storing all your tools or personal belongings.

- Reinforced fabric: Knees and buttocks are areas that are subject to a lot of wear and tear. Thick fabric reinforcements increase the durability of the garments.

- Choosing the right size: it's important that painters' clothing is neither too loose nor too tight. Painters usually work on ladders or scaffolding, where there are always risks. If a painter wears work clothes that are too loose, he could find himself in a dangerous situation.

- Layers adapted to the temperature: The cold can be very unpleasant when you're working. It leads to a loss of dexterity, impaired movement and discomfort. Choose clothing made from materials suited to the season.

You can also opt for a full-body suit. They offer complete protection by covering the whole body, avoiding stains on your usual clothes and providing unquestionable comfort.

> A plain T-shirt for a responsible first layer: The Oceany T-shirt is an essential basic! With its straight cut, ribbed crew neck, short sleeves and light weight, it's a great addition to any woman's or man's wardrobe. This unisex T-shirt is made from 100% recycled jersey and has OEKO-TEX® certification.

> A cosy sweatshirt that will keep you warm when temperatures drop: Oural is a thick fleece sweatshirt designed to keep you warm at work and at the weekend! Its comfortable cut gives you plenty of freedom of movement for everyday wear. Slightly oversized, decorated with the PARADE logo in tone-on-tone bouclette embroidery and finished with very fine ribbing at the collar, cuffs and hem, Oural has a style that's both casual and polished.

> Comfortable jogging for work: with their modern cut, the Bangor jogging trousers offer comfort and style for all your professional, sporting and outdoor activities. Fitted with an elasticated waistband and internal drawcord, they are perfect for men and women of all shapes and sizes. Bangor's robust design features abrasion-resistant, water-repellent nylon inserts at the knees and double stitching at the crotch. The practical work joggers have two deep pockets hidden in the side seams and a technical pocket on the back of the right thigh.

> Lightweight jogging shorts: PARADE has designed Bandol for the warmer weather. Work shorts in soft, lightweight cotton and viscose. The ideal alternative to trousers for all professionals who work under the sun, but also for men and women looking for comfortable, well-tailored Bermuda shorts for their summer sports and outdoor activities. Designed to meet the functional and comfortable needs of construction and landscaping workers, Bandol has 2 deep Italian pockets, water-repellent nylon reinforcements on the front of the thighs and an elasticated waistband with internal drawcord adjustment.

Heavy-duty work trousers: Bajaro work trousers guarantee maximum comfort thanks to their ergonomic design with integrated elasticated waistband, comfort seams at the knees and PARADE high waistband technology that covers the lower back perfectly in all postures. Made entirely from Ripstop® fabric with double stitching on the crotch and back, Bajaro is ultra-resistant to abrasion while remaining lightweight. Multi-pocket design means you'll always have your gear to hand

Because we know that as a painter you sometimes have to kneel, we recommend you wear our AKABA or ANKARO products.

Maintaining your equipment

Good equipment can last for many years if it is properly maintained. Here are a few tips:

- Clean your shoes after each job to avoid paint or dust build-up.

- Wash your clothes regularly, following the manufacturer's instructions, to keep them waterproof.

- Inspect your gloves and goggles for damage.

To find out more about how to care for your workwear, read all the advice from the Parade experts in our dedicated article.

Choosing the right equipment for painters shouldn't be left to chance. Safety shoes, appropriate clothing, gloves and protective glasses: each element plays an essential role in guaranteeing your safety, comfort and efficiency on a worksite.