2025.10.26 – When Safety Meets Ownership: The Story of a Work Jacket in Transition

Key Takeaways

Across many industrial sites in the Netherlands, the line between what belongs to the worker and what must be returned is often blurred. A recent case involving a protective jacket shows how companies navigate the balance between safety compliance and personal ownership. The lesson is simple: what protects you today may also become yours tomorrow—if it meets the right standards and crosses the right checklist.

Story & Details

During a safety inspection at a major contractor site, a worker realized his orange protective jacket, supplied by a Dutch temporary-work agency, did not meet all the required European PPE standards. The garment—Tricorp 403005 Orange—was perfectly visible (EN ISO 20471 Class 3) and waterproof (EN 343 3:3), yet it lacked three crucial protections: EN 1149-5 for electrostatic safety, EN 13034 for resistance to chemical splashes, and EN ISO 14116 for flame-spread limitation.

The contractor’s safety department was clear: whenever an outer or rain layer is worn—even in summer—it must comply with all five certifications. On dry or hot days, no jacket is required, but whenever weather turns, compliance becomes non-negotiable.

The agency offered a solution: a new neutral-colour jacket that meets every listed standard. But there was a twist. Unlike the orange one, which remains a loan item and must be returned clean and intact, the compliant model would fall under the PPE list—a catalogue of personal protective equipment that, once issued, carries a cost later deducted from salary. After payment, the jacket becomes the wearer’s property.

The exchange marked a subtle shift in responsibility. The orange jacket represented temporary duty, while the new one symbolized personal investment. It wasn’t just about safety; it was about ownership of the tools that keep workers secure in unpredictable conditions.

The time stamps tell the rhythm of the negotiation: early August brought the inspection and request, and by August 14 at 11:47 (Amsterdam time) confirmation arrived—yes, a compliant jacket could be arranged, but not on loan.

Conclusions

The outcome defines two clear paths:

• The orange jacket remains a loaned piece of safety gear, to be returned once the assignment ends.
• The new compliant jacket is a personal item, paid for gradually and kept permanently.

This distinction underlines a broader truth across European worksites: safety gear is not just protection; it’s part of the relationship between employer, agency, and worker. Clarity around ownership ensures accountability, and accountability, in turn, safeguards everyone involved.

Sources

• “How to make sure your products meet EN ISO 20471 – High-visibility workwear.” YouTube, Skanwear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKCFFMVYlBs
• “EN 13034 : Protective clothing against liquid chemicals.” Skanwear. https://skanwear.com/blogs/ppe-standards/en-13034
• “EN ISO 20471 – High-Visibility Clothing: Test Methods and Requirements.” Skanwear. https://skanwear.com/blogs/ppe-standards/en-iso-20471
• “Protection Standards Overview.” Kübler Workwear. https://www.kuebler.eu/en/service/protection-standards

Appendix – Term Definitions

EN ISO 20471 (High-visibility clothing): A European standard that defines visibility levels for workers exposed to traffic or industrial hazards. Class 3 is the highest rating.

EN 343 (Protection against rain): Specifies waterproofness and breathability for work garments exposed to wet conditions.

EN 1149-5 (Anti-static protective clothing): Ensures garments prevent electrostatic discharge, crucial in environments with flammable gases or vapours.

EN ISO 14116 (Flame-spread limitation): Defines clothing that resists ignition and limits the spread of flame upon contact with sparks or fire.

EN 13034 Type 6 (Chemical protection): Covers garments that protect against light sprays or low-volume splashes of liquid chemicals.

Loan item: Equipment temporarily provided to a worker, expected to be returned in clean and functional condition once no longer in use.

PPE list (Personal Protective Equipment list): A registry within many European agencies detailing which protective items are issued personally. Items on this list can involve shared cost or ownership transfer once payment is completed.

Temporary-work agency: A Dutch employment intermediary responsible for assigning personnel to contracting companies and providing approved safety equipment.