This article was featured in the official IMPA publication - Supply Chain and Sustainability Magazine, Issue 2 2024
The marine PPE sector faces a unique set of challenges. On one hand there’s the rigorous operational demands that equipment must withstand and on the other a stringent set of guidelines that reflect an evolving landscape on board vessels.
From combatting saltwater corrosion to meeting strict regulatory standards, the development and implementation of effective marine PPE is increasingly complex. This article explores the key challenges, recent innovations, regulatory landscapes, and future trends in marine safety gear, drawing on insights from industry practices and advancements.
Challenges in Marine PPE
The marine environment poses several significant challenges to personal protective equipment. One of the primary issues is saltwater corrosion, which can rapidly degrade metal components used in safety gear.
Additionally, marine workers often face extreme weather conditions, requiring PPE that is not only waterproof but also capable of providing adequate insulation and buoyancy. The need for equipment to be lightweight yet durable enough to withstand harsh marine conditions further complicates design and material selection.
Designing PPE for marine applications thus requires a delicate balance. For instance, life jackets and immersion suits must be buoyant enough to keep an individual afloat without impairing mobility. Similarly, helmets and protective footwear must offer robust protection without being cumbersome, ensuring that
wearers can perform their duties without hindrance.
“We prioritise sourcing new materials and leveraging new technologies for enhanced performance,” says STOP’s Alina Mourelatou. “Our approach includes exhaustive testing in both lab and real-world conditions to ensure reliability.
“By closely understanding the daily needs of seafarers, we tailor solutions that effectively combat issues like saltwater corrosion, while ensuring waterproofing and buoyancy. This hands-on, innovative strategy is key to overcoming the hurdles faced in marine safety equipment design and implementation.”
"By closely understanding the daily needs of seafarers, we tailor solutions that effectively combat issues like saltwater corrosion, while ensuring waterproofing and buoyancy. This hands-on, innovative strategy is key to overcoming the hurdles faced in marine safety equipment design and implementation". Alina Mourelatou, Sales Director at STOP AEBE
Innovations and Advances in Marine Safety Gear
Recent years have seen significant innovations in the materials and technologies used for marine PPE. Advanced polymers and composites have led to the development of lighter, more durable, and highly corrosion-resistant safety gear. For example, the use of carbon fibre and fiberglass in helmets and protective panels offers high strength-to-weight ratios, enhancing wearer comfort and safety simultaneously.
Naturally, sustainability is having an impact. “The advancements in marine PPE amidst climate change
are truly groundbreaking,” adds Mourelatou.
“We've seen innovations that address the rising temperatures, balancing comfort with safety. For example, our team has developed high-performance products that offer the best possible comfort. We've introduced special material combinations that enhance breathability and sweat absorption while maintaining safety standards.
“These items undergo rigorous testing in the harshest conditions, ensuring they meet the real-time needs of marine professionals. Such innovations are pivotal in improving both safety and efficiency for those at sea.”
Elsewhere, smart technology is increasingly being integrated into PPE. Wearables that monitor vital signs
and environmental conditions are significantly enhancing safety by providing real-time data to the wearer and remote monitoring stations. These devices can alert wearers to potential hazards, such as hazardous gas exposure or extreme temperature variations.
Furthermore, advances in fabric technology have led to the creation of waterproof yet breathable garments that provide better comfort and protection against hypothermia. Such materials not only keep the wearer dry and warm but also allow sweat and heat to escape, which is crucial for maintaining endurance in physically demanding marine operations.
"Preventing heatstroke at sea is tough. So, everyone should get the right gear before summer. In hot places, the risk of overheating is high. Innovations like built-in vents and adjustable zippers boost air circulation. This lets workers adjust their comfort. It also aids focus and performance in tough conditions". Jelle van Alenburg, Business Development Manager, Wenaas Workwear
Regulations and Standards for Marine PPE
Navigating the web of regulations and standards is a critical aspect of designing and implementing marine PPE. Equipment must comply with international safety standards set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and under national regulations like those enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard
or the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in the UK.
Compliance involves rigorous testing and certification processes to ensure that all safety gear meets or exceeds the required performance criteria. These regulations not only mandate the technical specifications of PPE but also guide its usage and maintenance procedures.
With that in mind Greg Depinay of Mundo Gear advises using certified equipment. “When it comes to ensuring safety in various work environments, it is important to understand that protective gear is not a one-size-fits-all solution,” he says.
"When it comes to ensuring safety in various work environments, it is important to understand that protective gear is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Always choose certified equipment that is specifically designed for the hazards in your workplace. Safety isn't expensive, it's priceless". Greg Depinay, Manager at Mundo Gear
“Always choose certified equipment that is specifically designed for the hazards in your workplace. Nothing more, nothing less. In the name of safety, companies may be tempted to spend more than they actually need. A reliable supplier should be able to provide the proof of certification and advise you on the most suitable equipment for every use case. Safety isn't expensive, it's priceless.”
Future of Marine Safety and PPE
Looking ahead, the marine industry is likely to see several key trends in the approach to personal protective equipment. We’re starting to see more and more women enter the crew workforce which has led to changes in the way protective gear is manufactured. Suits and equipment that were traditionally made to fit male body types are now being made to suit women, as exemplified by Synergy Group,
one of the world’s largest ship management companies.
In what is though the be an industry first, the firm has rolled out new tailor-made PPE to its growing number of female seafarers after commissioning Hercules Safety to design suits that offered a better fit and comfort to female crew. Speaking recently, Synergy’s CO Reshma Murkar said:
"To be 100% work fit we need the best fit and that is what we have now. These new PPE designs represent a clear commitment to supporting the role of women in shipping and illustrate why Synergy is making so much ground in its efforts to attract more women to our marvellous industry". Reshma Murkar, Chief Officer at Synergy Group
“To be 100% work fit we need the best fit and that is what we have now. These new PPE designs represent a clear commitment to supporting the role of women in shipping and illustrate why Synergy is making so much ground in its efforts to attract more women to our marvellous industry.
Meanwhile, the growing emphasis on sustainability is driving the development of eco-friendly materials that reduce environmental impact without compromising safety. “Manufacturers are looking for ways to incorporate recycled materials as much as possible, but also to make their products in such a way that they can be recycled,” says Ian Wall of Tower Supplies.
“So for example, safety helmets, various forms of plastic materials. A lot of those can be shredded and remade into other items, not necessarily back into helmets themselves, but they can be shredded and the materials repurposed.”
"Manufacturers are looking for ways to incorporate recycled materials as much as possible, but also to make their products in such a way that they can be recycled". Ian Wall, Developing Business at Tower Supplies
Alina Mourelatou adds that it’s anticipated that regulations on alternative fuel infrastructure and climate change will significantly influence marine PPE trends. “New infrastructures will introduce different hazards, necessitating new protection needs,” she says.
“The era of relying on a single piece of PPE is evolving into a system of integrated safety solutions. These systems are designed to work in harmony, offering comprehensive protection against emerging risks.
“Companies and safety professionals should prepare by embracing these systems, ensuring the well-being of individuals at sea in the face of new challenges.”
To that end, ongoing training and adaptation to evolving standards will be crucial in ensuring the effectiveness of PPE and, ultimately, the well-being of marine personnel.
The industry faces unique challenges in protecting its workforce, but through innovative materials, smart technologies, and stringent adherence to safety standards, the future of marine PPE looks robust and promising.
And so, as the industry continues to evolve, so too will the solutions that keep its workers safe in one of the most demanding work environments on the planet.
