PPE Lockers vs Standard Staff Lockers: What's the Difference?

Lockers are used in all kinds of workplaces, but not every locker is there for the same reason. In an office, a locker might simply be somewhere to leave a coat or bag. In a factory or construction environment, employees may need somewhere to keep helmets, boots, gloves and protective clothing.

This is where the difference between a standard staff locker and a PPE locker becomes important.

What is a standard staff locker?

Standard staff lockers are mainly used for storing personal belongings. They are common in workplaces where employees need somewhere secure to leave their bags, coats, shoes and other items during the day. They are also useful for storing a change of clothes or smaller work-related items.

For many businesses, a standard locker is all that is needed. If employees don't have much equipment to store, there's little reason to use anything more specialised.  The situation is different when employees are regularly using PPE.

What is a PPE locker?

PPE lockers are designed with protective equipment and workwear in mind. They are commonly found in places such as factories, warehouses, engineering businesses, construction sites and manufacturing facilities.

Depending on the job, an employee could have a hard hat, hi-vis jacket, safety boots, gloves and other protective equipment to store. Trying to fit all of this into a locker intended mainly for a coat and bag isn't always practical.

A dedicated PPE locker gives these items their own storage space. It also means employees don't have to leave equipment lying around when it isn't being used.

PPE lockers and standard lockers: the main difference

The biggest difference is fairly simple: standard lockers are generally for personal belongings, while PPE lockers are intended for work equipment and protective clothing. That doesn't mean you can't put PPE in a standard locker. You can. The question is whether it is the most suitable option for the amount and type of equipment your employees have.

For example, storing a pair of gloves in a standard locker isn't likely to be a problem. Storing boots, a helmet, workwear and several other pieces of equipment is another matter. Space can quickly become an issue.

Keeping workwear and personal belongings separate

There are also situations where it makes sense to keep personal belongings and work equipment apart. In an industrial environment, workwear can become dirty during the day. Keeping it separate from employees' everyday clothing and personal items can make the changing area easier to manage.

Separate storage also gives employees a clear place for their PPE. Rather than equipment being left on the floor, on benches or in other parts of the workplace, it can be put away when it isn't needed.

For businesses with a larger workforce, this becomes even more important.

Choosing the right PPE locker

The amount of equipment being stored should be one of the first things you consider when choosing a locker. Think about what employees actually need to put away. A worker who only needs to store gloves and a jacket won't need the same amount of space as someone storing a helmet, boots, protective clothing and other equipment.

It's also worth looking at the number of employees who need storage and how much room is available in the changing area. The Swift-X PPE locker range from Lockers Online is available in different configurations, so businesses can choose an arrangement that suits the number of users and the space available.

Do you need PPE lockers or standard staff lockers?

It really comes down to how the lockers are going to be used.

If employees mainly need somewhere to leave their bags, coats and personal belongings, standard staff lockers should be suitable.If they regularly use PPE and need to store several items of protective equipment, dedicated PPE lockers are likely to be the better choice.

Some workplaces may need both. Standard lockers can be used for personal belongings, while PPE lockers provide separate storage for work equipment.

Before ordering, take a look at what your employees currently have to store. Consider the size of the equipment, how much storage each person needs and how much space you have available. The right locker isn't necessarily the biggest or most specialised option. It's the one that fits the way your workplace actually works.

To find out more or to get a quote, please get in touch with our expert team by calling 01244 940751 or emailing support@lockersonline.co.uk .