Let's Talk Safety with Protekta Safety Gear

In the latest episode of the Let's Talk Safety podcast, Dylan Sutherland sits with Deleane from Rebel Safety Gear to unpack what's actually inside a safety boot, and why certification is the starting point, not the finish line. In this episode you'll learn: Why the toe cap is only one of more than 200 tested components, and what the others actually do Why toolbox talks on lacing, socks, and polish...

In this episode of Let's Talk Safety, host Dylan Sutherland sits down with Deleane of Rebel Safety Gear to look at why a blanket-approach to safety boots is not recommended. Deleane works through the difference between certification and fit for purpose, what is actually inside a dual-density polyurethane sole, and why a cheaper boot almost always carries a hidden cost that does not show up in the...

Episode 4| Join us in episode 4 of Season 2 Let's Talk Safety , where host Dylan Sutherland sits down with Rene Joubert, Technical Sales Manager at Protekta Safety Gear, to bridge the gap between certified PPE products and real-world application on site. Rene draws on her years of hands-on industry experience to unpack why having the right product is only half the battle AND why education, fit tes...

When we talk about safety, we often focus on numbers: incident rates, LTIs, and fatalities – every number represents a person, a family, and multiple lives forever changed. In 2024, THE FEDERATED EMPLOYERS MUTUAL ASSURANCE COMPANY (FEM) had 6,000 workplace incidents reported. Around 60 were fatal , and many others resulted in permanent disabilities (the stories that are rarely told) – 99% of which...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Safety , Dylan Sutherland continues the conversation with Tiego Kekana from uvex safety to unpack how the EN166 eye protection standard translates into real-world protection. Key highlights: The real difference between spectacles and goggles in impact resistance. Why optical clarity impacts both safety and worker focus. How anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings reduce in...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Safety , host Dylan Sutherland speaks with TK from Uvex to unpack the EN 166 standard for eye protection. They break down what the standard is, its South African equivalent, the key testing requirements, common limitations, and additional features to consider when selecting compliant safety eyewear. Summary: EN 166 explained : An international test standard for eye pr...

Let’s Talk Safety: Episode 1-part 2: Understanding EN 361 Harness Safety in Real-World Conditions In this episode, we continue the conversation with Stephan van Heerden to explore the practical application of the EN 361 harness standard. We dive into how harnesses are tested, the importance of proper fit, and key features that enhance safety and comfort for workers at height. Episode Summary: EN 3...

Season 2 Episode 1|Part1 In this episode of Let’s Talk Safety , host Dylan Sutherland from Protekta Safety Gear sits down with in-house specialist Stephan van Heerden to unpack the EN 361 standard; a benchmark for full body harnesses used in fall arrest systems. We explore the standard’s technical requirements, its local equivalent (SANS 50361), and the real-world implications for work-at-height s...

In part 2 of our final episode for Season 1, Jarryd Swanepoel, National Sales Manager at uvex, discusses the importance of hearing protection in South Africa. He provides practical guidance on what safety managers and employees can do to effectively prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Did you know that noise exposure for an 8-hour shift should not exceed 85 dB? When noise levels surpass this thres...

Episode 18|Part1 Join us for the season finale of Let’s Talk Safety as we sit down with Jarryd Swanepoel, National Sales Manager at Uvex Safety, to discuss one of the most pressing yet misunderstood issues in occupational health: hearing protection. Despite overall declines in workplace injuries, noise-induced hearing loss is on the rise and it's now one of the leading health concerns in the South...

Episode 17| Respiratory protection is essential in hazardous environments, yet common misconceptions put workers at risk. In this episode, we explore the important factors that impact the effectiveness of respirators, including fit, material quality, and proper maintenance. Our 3M expert discusses common misconceptions about breathability, the importance of a proper seal, and how different materia...

Episode 16| In this episode of Let's Talk Safety , Rani Naidoo, Senior Application Engineer and Regulatory Manager for 3M South Africa, delves into the importance of respiratory protection standards. The discussion emphasizes how standards such as EN 149 and EN 140 ensure fit-for-purpose safety in the workplace. Rani highlights the challenges of selecting appropriate respiratory protection, the ro...

Episode 15| Join us as we interview Abigail Louw, Marketing Manager at Sweet-Orr. We discuss the brand’s commitment to high-quality protective workwear, particularly the importance of conti suits in worker safety. Abigail outlines Sweet-Orr’s history, customization options, and rigorous attention to detail in their manufacturing process. The conversation also highlights Sweet-Orr’s core values of...

Episode 14| Join us as we interview Farah Montenegro, local product expert for the Middle East and Africa at Brady Corporation. Farah, shares insights from her 17 years with the company as we discuss the importance of LockOut TagOut (LOTO) procedures and practical implementations on how to isolate hazardous energy sources to keep workers safe during maintenance to significantly reduce workplace ac...

Episode 13| Join us for part 2 as we interview our very own Stephan van Heerden, Work at Heights Specialist. In this episode, we dive deeper into key considerations for roof safety systems. We also highlight the importance of proper planning, structural integrity, and maintenance when installing lifelines and fall prevention systems on roofs. This discussion will provide valuable insights for anyo...

Episode 12| Join us as we interview our very own Stephan van Heerden, Work at Heights Specialist. In this episode, we tackle the most frequently asked questions about anchor points and roof lifelines. We also explore critical strategies for managing fall risks and ensuring safety in high-risk environments. Topics covered in this episode: Key Findings from Drop Tests: Discover how a 1-meter drop wi...

Episode 11| Join us as we interview Lizahni Wolff from the IWH (Institute for Work at Height) trade association. In this episode, we discussed the importance of proper training and certification in the work-at-heights industry. Topics covered in this episode: The importance of choosing a work at height training provider accredited by the appropriate SETA. Combatting inadequate training, by learnin...

Episode 10| Join us for part 2 of our discussion on safety boots and shoes, where we continue our conversation with Managing Director of REBEL Safety Gear, Gavin Cooke. Gavin highlights the importance of prioritizing durability and suitability over cost when selecting footwear for workplace safety, as well as the need for appropriate risk assessments and the selection of fit-for-purpose safety boo...

Episode 9| Join us for part 1 of our discussion on safety boots and shoes, where we had the absolute privilege of interviewing Gavin Cooke, the founder and Managing Director of Rebel Safety Gear. Known and loved as “Africa’s hardest working safety boots”,we offer an in-depth look of what it takes to create quality safety boots, the important factors that safety and/or procurement managers should c...

Episode 8| Join us for part 2 on safety glove selection, where we explore the latest advancements in safety gloves, focusing on materials, dipping techniques, and the importance of proper fit. Neels Coetzee and Dylan Sutherland from Protekta Safety Gear discuss how different coatings and glove constructions impact performance and safety, as well as advise on the best type of glove per industry. Th...

Episode 7| Join us for part 1 as we dive into the essential topic of safety gloves. We cover the different materials used, their impact on glove selection, and the importance of choosing the right type for various tasks. This episode is a must-listen for anyone responsible for selecting safety gloves, offering valuable insights and practical advice to ensure optimal protection. Topics Discussed: T...

Episode 6| Join us for part 2 as we discuss the evolving standards of eye protection in South Africa. We look into the adoption of the European EN166 standard, now recognized as SANS 50166:2018 and discuss the implications for both compliance and manufacturing within the local context. Christo Nel, MD of uvex Safety South Africa sheds light on EN certification for compliance, and the broader issue...

Episode 5| Join us as we discuss the key considerations when selecting eye protection, the importance of choosing the correct safety solutions per industry, and the challenges of navigating industry changes during the COVID-19 era. This episode is packed with expert insights and practical advice on selecting the correct eye protection (PPE) and implementing effective safety strategies. Are you a s...

Episode 4| Join us for part 2 of working at heights in South Africa. In this episode, we focus on preparing for rescue situations, how frequently your safety gear needs to be inspected, and discuss the importance of proper maintenance, whilst knowing when to replace equipment and most importantly how to safely discard this equipment. We'll guide you through choosing the right harness, understandin...

Episode 3| Join us for an introduction to working at heights in South Africa. In part 1 of this episode, we focus on the unique challenges, risks, and the critical importance of comprehensive on-site assessments. Our work at height expert discusses the ABCDE and F framework of height safety, what to consider when selecting a training provider for your work at height training and the need for on-go...