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Good equipment is crucial in any workplace safety management system. Yet, choosing the right equipment can be tricky — employers need to ensure that it provides the maximum level of protection without breaking the bank.
Thankfully, with a little forethought and planning, it is possible to find affordable health and safety products which don’t compromise the wellbeing of employees. This article will highlight some of the most important things you should do to ensure that you get bang for your buck when purchasing safety equipment.
You can find out which suppliers have the type of equipment you need by contacting relevant industry associations or searching the web. Once you’ve made a list of companies, you’ll need to check out their customer reviews. Compare the listed companies and select the ones that have the most positive reviews. Of these, select the one that most closely matches your needs and budget.
You will need to weigh the cost of the equipment provided by your preferred supplier against the value it represents for your company. You should consider, for example, the shelf life of a product, the amount of use you can get out of it, and whether add-ons are available.
There is usually some room for negotiation when dealing with health and safety equipment providers, especially when you are purchasing equipment in large quantities. Whether you’re buying personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety harnesses or larger items like safety railing systems, don’t settle for the first quoted price. Instead, make a counteroffer that is reasonable for both parties. This will require you to do a little market research to get some idea of what the equipment is worth. If your initial counteroffer is rejected, raise it incrementally until you arrive at a figure that is acceptable to each camp.
There is usually some room for negotiation when dealing with health and safety equipment providers, especially when you are purchasing equipment in large quantities.
Some health and safety equipment providers may try to sell you additional items that you don’t need. To avoid overbuying, make sure you clearly understand your equipment needs and be aware that some items of equipment can serve multiple purposes. It is a good idea to prioritise your needs in order of urgency. This will allow you to see which items you need to purchase immediately and which can be procured at a later date.
If you are looking to buy safety harnesses or other fall protection equipment, there are specific things to keep in mind. We covered these in a previous article.
If you are purchasing a complex or big-ticket piece of equipment, it may come with significant installation, training, maintenance or other after-sale costs. It is important to find out these costs and factor them into your budget before entering into a deal. Ideally, your chosen supplier will be able to provide the necessary after-sales services free of charge but, if not, make sure you can afford the charges.
Ideally, your chosen supplier will be able to provide the necessary after-sales services free of charge but, if not, make sure you can afford the charges.
You may only need certain equipment for a set amount of time, say, for the duration of a one-off construction project. If this is the case, it may make sense to rent the equipment rather than buy it. If you’re not sure whether to rent or buy, you may find this guide helpful: Buying vs Renting Safety Equipment: Find Out Which One Works Best for You
There are a number of things to think about when purchasing equipment for your safety management system, but it’s important to not lose sight of the main thing — the quality of the equipment.
The best way to get good quality equipment that is also cost-effective is to go with a supplier that has been in the industry a long time, has a good reputation, and is fully certified.
Kee Safety delivers on all three fronts — we have been supplying safety equipment to clients around the world for decades; we have all the necessary certificates; and we have attracted countless good reviews over the years. Besides offering high-quality products, we are also able to design and install safety solutions that are tailored to each client’s specific needs while fully adhering to Singapore’s health and safety standards.
You can find more information about the equipment we provide on our safety solutions page. You’re also welcome to get in touch with us to discuss your health and safety equipment needs.