Caswells Group News

Summer Workwear Essentials

It’s that time of year again when the temperature is going up, jackets are coming off and the confidence in the British weather is getting slightly higher.

At Caswells Group we have everything you need for all seasons to keep you comfortable, protected and compliant during the summer months.

Breathable Workwear

While some sites don’t allow wearing shorts during the summer months, for obvious safety reasons. At Caswells Group you can still find workwear with breathable fabrics that make working in the summer months a lot more bearable.

 
High Vis Comfort T-Shirt with Moisture wicking fabric

https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workwear-%26-Clothing/High-Visibility-Clothing/High-Visibility-T-Shirts/S172-HiVis-Cotton-Comfort-T-Shirt-Short-Sleeve

Super Touch Hi Vis Polo T-Shirt

Ideal for work outdoors in warm weather, our Hi-Vis 2 Tone Bird Eye Polo Shirts are made from a breathable fabric to keep workers cool. They also offer UPF 40+ protection against UV rays. 

https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workwear-%26-Clothing/High-Visibility-Clothing/High-Visibility-Polo-Shirts/Supertouch-Hi-Vis-2-Tone-Short-Sleeved-Polo-Shirt

Skin Protection

If you are working outdoors in summer, it is very important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. SPF protection is one of the most under-used forms of PPE for outdoor work.

-       Approximately 60–70% of construction workers are not regular sunscreen users on the job.

-       Around 35–45% may not use sunscreen at all during a summer month, even when working outdoors.

-       Many of the remainder apply sunscreen only once and do not reapply during the workday. 

By having SPF dispensers on site it’s a constant reminder for workers to apply, and reapply, sunscreen throughout the day.

 SC Johnson Stokoderm Sun Protect Pure comes in 100ml tubes (30 or 50 spf) for handy application when out and about, but also comes in a 1 litre refill with dispenser, making applying SPF on site easier than ever.

https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Janitorial-%26-Personal-Hygiene/Washroom/Skincare/SC-Johnson-Skin-Care/Skin-Protect/Stokoderm%c2%ae-Sun-Protect-Pure?search=Stokoderm%C2%AE%20Sun%20Protect%20Pure

Summer Accessories

Unless your work requires a hard hat, keeping your head protected from sun and heat is important. We stock a large range of caps, from regular peaked caps, to caps with neck protection.

RC76X Fold up legionnaire's cap

Summer cap with neck protection, to guard your neck from sun exposure.

https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workwear-%26-Clothing/Accessories/Hats%2c-Caps-%26-Neck-Tubes/RC76X-Fold-up-legionnaire%27s-cap

BC182 Coolmax® Flow Mesh Cap

With Coolmax technology and mesh ventilation panels, perfect for the summer months. 

https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workwear-%26-Clothing/Accessories/Hats%2c-Caps-%26-Neck-Tubes/BC182-Coolmax%c2%ae-Flow-Mesh-Cap

 
RC73X Tech Performance Softshell Cap

Waterproof cap with easy fit sweatband. Perfect for unexpected summer showers.

https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workwear-%26-Clothing/Accessories/Hats%2c-Caps-%26-Neck-Tubes/RC73X-Tech-Performance-Softshell-Cap

For more information about our Summer workwear, please get in touch with one of our sales team on 01642 379600, or email sales@caswellsgroup.com

National Safety Month this June

This June is National Safety Month, and each week focuses on a different safety theme. We say it often, but safety is more than just a priority - it’s at the core of everything we do. 

We supply PPE, workwear, safety equipment, and workplace solutions across a wide range of industries because we believe every person should be safe at work. That also comes down to safety in our own offices and warehouses for our staff, which is paramount.

We are focusing on Week 1 and Week 4 themes:

Week 1
Moving Safety Forward

Advance a culture of safety with forward-thinking strategies and tools. 

Our PPE vending machines help ensure your team always has access to the protective equipment they need. With real-time inventory tracking, automatic stock management, and instant visibility into usage. It’s an efficient and forward-thinking tool that keeps admin down but protection for workers high.

Week 4
Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

Reduce common workplace and home hazards with targeted prevention resources. 

We sell work boots and shoes that are SRA, SRB and SRC Slip resistant, which means they are all rated to be worn on certain surfaces, depending on the job you are doing. SRA slip rating is for ceramic tiles; SRB slip rating is for smooth steel surfaces lubricated with glycerol. This evaluates how the shoe performs in environments heavily affected by oils, fats, and industrial greases, and SRC means they passed both the SRA and SRB test, so is the highest classification slip rating. 

In our workplace we prevent workplace injury by putting in place strict walking paths in our warehouse and making sure we never leave any trip hazards in walking areas. 

We also have an online accident procedure if anything did occur, even a near miss so it is logged and can be resolved before any further incident.

3M Consumables Rotation: When did you last change your filters?

Respirator filters do not last forever. Once a gas and vapour filter has been used to its full capacity, it will no longer offer any protection. An overused particulate filter may still protect you, but it will be hard to breathe through, potentially leading to fatigue and reduced productivity. 

How well are you looking after your respirator?

As a very minimum, filters must be changed:

- Before the contaminant can be smelled or tasted (gas and vapour or combination filters)

- When the filter becomes difficult to breathe through (particulate or combination filters)

- When the expiry date of the filter has passed

- When the filter has been out of its packaging for 6 months or more (gas and vapour or combination filters) 

- When the filter shows any signs of damage

Are you changing your filters often enough?

To maintain protection levels, optimise the effective lifetime of the equipment and avoid the additional cost of replacement, it is extremely important to carry out regular checks and maintenance on your Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE).

Summer Open Day 24th June 2026

Following on from the success of last year’s supplier showcase, we are hosting an even bigger Summer Supplier Open Day in June!

Join us at our Billingham HQ, With 60 confirmed suppliers attending, it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore a wide range of products and speak directly with the experts and meet the Caswells Group team!

Enjoy complimentary food and refreshments throughout the day from Flaming Dough Pizza, Grange Hog Roast and Eden Bakes Coffee and Bakes. We also have a huge number of prizes to win on the day (up to 55 prizes!), including a Shark Self-Empty Robot Vacuum Cleaner. All you have to do is sign in on the day at the Caswells welcome tent and you will be added to the draw.

To register your interest to attend on the day please email sales@caswellsgroup.com with your name, details and number of people attending.

____________________________________________________

📆 Wednesday 24th June 2026
⏰ 9am - 3pm
📍 Caswells Group, Lagonda Road, Billingham, TS23 4JA
____________________________________________________

Confirmed Suppliers
We have 60 suppliers from all areas of industry confirmed:

3M Integrated Protection Programme (IPP)

PPE is most effective when worn properly, 100% of the time. It also works best when it works together. See how our technologies and services work together to help encourage consistent use, with options that may help you with worker communication, compatibility, comfort, fit or performance needs.

Because workers don’t encounter hazards one at a time, they need PPE technologies and services - to help protect their health and safety.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is often selected to protect workers against specific hazards - respiratory contaminants, for example, or unsafe levels of noise. But workers seldom encounter hazards one at a time, which means they often need to wear multiple types of PPE at once. Work with 3M to help reduce the challenges workers face when wearing multiple types of PPE together. Consider the 3M Integrated Protection Programme*, powered by the Science of Safety. The programme includes a range of options, from PPE featuring our technologies - which may help improve comfort, allow for easier communication, fit a wide range of workers, or resist fogging - to fully integrated PPE systems.

How can we encourage workers to wear all their required PPE, all shift long? By paying careful attention to PPE comfort, communication and performance from the start, and using fit testing to help validate that PPE works together.

PPE is the last line of defence, and it is most effective when worn properly, 100% of the time exposed to hazards. When PPE fits correctly and comfortably, US OSHA suggests that workers are more likely to wear it consistently.** This is why we’ve introduced the 3M Integrated Protection Programme*, a portfolio of personal protective equipment (PPE) technologies and services which may work together to help address one or more of workers’ various needs, including comfort, fit, compatibility, communication,

and performance. Discover how each element in the 3M Integrated Protection Programme* technologies and services work together. 

* 3M Integrated Protection Programme refers to 3M’s portfolio of personal protective equipment (PPE) technologies and services that may be used by workers for their various needs, including comfort, fit, compatibility, communication, and performance. The depicted combinations are representative examples of which technologies may work together, but these combinations may not be appropriate for all work environments. Employers are responsible to select PPE combinations based on employee risk assessment for hazards and ensure that fit testing of combinations are conducted while wearing all appropriate PPE.

** OSHA, https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment, accessed 7/2/2025

Caswells Group placed number 39th in Fastest 50 Growing Businesses

We were honoured to be included in the Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 2025. The award, launched in 1998, is a list compiled yearly by Ward Hadaway of 50 local, privately-owned, profitable organisations that have seen the biggest average annual growth rate in their turnover.

Growing businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and Ward Hadaway want their efforts to be recognised and celebrated on a wider scale, which is exactly what the Fastest 50 does.

A huge thank you to everyone at Ward Hadaway for the accolade, and for celebrating business growth across the region.

National Clean Off Your Desk Day

It’s National Clean Off Your Desk Day and while cleaning your workspace might feel like a small, even mundane task, the benefits go far beyond aesthetics. A tidy desk can help you think clearer, reduce stress, and even spark creativity.

Why a Clean Desk Matters
A cluttered desk can contribute to a cluttered mind, making it harder to focus, prioritise tasks, and feel motivated. On the other hand, a clean and organised workspace promotes clarity, reduces stress, and gives you a fresh perspective on your work. Even a few minutes spent tidying up can give you a noticeable productivity boost.

Simple Steps to Declutter Your Desk
Here’s how you can make the most of National Clean Off Your Desk Day:

1. Start with a clean slate - Remove everything from your desk, including papers, office supplies, and personal items.
2. Sort and purge - Decide what you truly need and what can go. Recycle, toss, or donate items that no longer serve a purpose.
3. Organise essentials - Use trays, drawers, or desk organizers to keep frequently used items within reach.
4. Add personal touches - A small plant, a favourite photo, or a decorative item can make your desk feel inspiring without creating clutter.
5. Maintain daily - Spend just 5 minutes at the end of each day putting things back in place to keep your desk tidy long-term.

Beyond the Desk: Benefits
Cleaning off your desk isn’t just about appearances. Research shows that a tidy workspace can improve focus, boost creativity, and even reduce stress. Walking into a neat, organized area gives your brain a sense of control and calm, which can help you approach tasks with renewed energy and clarity.

Make It Fun
Turn this decluttering task into a mini self-care ritual. Play your favourite music, sip a cup of tea, or make it a friendly competition with colleagues to see who can create the most organized workspace.

So today, embrace National Clean Off Your Desk Day as more than just a cleaning task - see it as an opportunity to refresh your mindset and create a workspace that fuels productivity and creativity.

Find products to help with your desk cleaning here: https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Janitorial-%26-Personal-Hygiene/Housekeeping

Workplace Experience School Visits

Over the months of November and December, we had the pleasure of showing pupils from Huntcliff School in Saltburn, Macmillan Academy in Middlesbrough, and Bishopgarth in Stockton around the Caswells Group Site. 

The visits gave pupils an opportunity to experience a workplace up close, see what kind of jobs they could get at Caswells Group, and (most importantly) had the opportunity to use our heat press machines and print their own tshirt!

This initative helps pupils, who might need additional help in the classroom, see where they could see themselves in the workplace and gives them the confidence and knowledge to understand what is available to them once they leave educational.

We received some fantastic feedback, including from a Year 10 pupil who didn’t want to leave to return to school and asked how he could apply in the future. It’s exactly the kind of enthusiasm Caswells values, and we hope he remembers us and applies one day.

Thank you to Ductu Portal for getting in touch and asking us to take part!

What you breathe matters with 3M

3M is a globally recognised leading manufacturer, renowned for its innovation, quality, and wide-ranging solutions trusted by industries worldwide. As a proud distributor of 3M products, we are excited to highlight two of 3M’s best-selling respirator platforms in Europe: the 3M™ Aura™ Particulate Respirator 9300+ Series and the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series. Both product ranges are designed to offer trusted comfort and performance, backed by 3M’s renowned science and innovation. 

The 3M™ Aura™ Particulate Respirator 9300+ Series is engineered for ease of breathing, thanks to 3M’s Advanced Electrostatic Media (AEM). This innovative media helps enable users to work comfortably for extended periods. Additionally, the 3M™ Cool Flow™ Exhalation Valve helps release warm and moist exhaled breath from inside the respirator, enhancing comfort and reducing heat build-up. The respirator's 3-panel design helps to accommodate a wide range of face shapes and sizes, ensuring a secure and comfortable seal. It is collapse-resistant, making it suitable for work in hot, humid conditions while maintaining its shape and effectiveness. To help with clea  r vision, the embossed top panel reduces the fogging of eyewear, a common issue faced by disposable respirator wearers. The sculpted nose panel provides a good field of view and improves compatibility with eyewear, while the curved, low-profile design conforms well to the nose and facial features. 

In terms of sustainability, the 3M™ Aura™ Particulate Respirators 9312+, 9322+, and 9332+ contain at least 25% recycled content*. The packaging also reflects 3M's commitment to sustainability, with individual product wrap containing at least 30% recycled content, the shipper case containing 76% recycled content, and the primary carton containing 100% recycled content*. These respirators are manufactured in the United Kingdom, using 100% renewable electricity*.

For those facing a broad range of respiratory hazards, the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series has integrated filters that help reduce exposure to hazardous airborne particles, gases, and vapours. Offering trusted comfort and performance, the 4000+ Series is simple and ready-to-use straight out of the bag, making it a great choice for busy professionals. The respirator is maintenance-free, so it can be used until your change-out schedule indicates a replacement is needed or when the filters are full, and then simply discarded. Like the Aura™ 9300+ Series, the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series is engineered for ease of breathing and features a centrally-positioned exhalation valve that helps reduce heat and moisture build-up in hot and humid conditions. The enhanced valve assembly, compared to the previous generation 4000, helps to reduce exhalation breathing resistance, providing improved breathing comfort. Additionally, the two large, bonded-carbon filters offer low breathing resistance, ensuring that users can work comfortably for extended periods. 

Comfort on the face is another key benefit of the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series. It has a soft, close-fitting non-silicone face seal made with textured material, and a light, well-balanced design. The adjustable head-cradle helps adjust to a broad range of head shapes and sizes, and the neck straps are easy to fasten. The low-profile design helps to prevent the 4000+ from hindering your peripheral vision, making it ideal for various work environments.

Both the 3M™ Aura™ Particulate Respirator 9300+ Series and the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series exemplify 3M’s commitment to providing high-quality, comfortable, and effective respiratory protection solutions. Whether you need a disposable or reusable option, these respirators are designed to meet the diverse needs of various industries, assisting with the safety and comfort for all users.

Female PPE Day for PD Ports

In November we had the pleasure of hosting a Female PPE Day for PD Ports, in collaboration with Portwest.

It’s hugely important to us that women on site don’t have to simply “size down” in men’s PPE - safety and comfort should never be compromised. Everyone deserves workwear and PPE that allows them to feel confident, protected, and included in the workplace.

For years, women across various industries - from construction and manufacturing to engineering and logistics - have had to make do with PPE designed for men. Oversized gloves, baggy trousers, and uncomfortable jackets aren’t just frustrating, they’re unsafe. Poorly fitting PPE can hinder movement, reduce productivity, and in some cases, pose serious safety risks.

Our goal with this event was simple: to provide women with the opportunity to get fitted properly, ask questions, and explore the range of women-specific PPE we offer.

One of the highlights of the morning was having our on-site seamstress available for trouser length alterations. Attendees were invited to try on a variety of garments, with our seamstress providing advice on sizing and tailoring trousers to the perfect fit. It was more than just trying on clothing; it was about creating solutions tailored to each individual.

Clare at Portwest also showcased an extensive range of PPE specifically designed for women, including fitted coveralls, safety footwear, gloves, safety glasses and more.

Do you require a PPE Fitting Session?

If you’re a company looking to improve your PPE offering for female employees get in touch with one of our sales team, or, you can shop our women’s PPE range here.

A huge thank you to all the women at PD Ports who came along, tried on the PPE, and shared their feedback. Your voices continue to shape a safer and more inclusive future for everyone on site.

Winter Essentials 2025

It’s that time of year again, when we pull out the gloves, hats, winter coats and de-icer! It’s time to take stock of the ‘Winter Essentials’ we might have ran out of last year.

Caswells Autumn Winter Essentials catalogue is your one stop for the most useful items for these colder months.

Warmer Workwear

For staff that spend a lot of time outside, insulated workwear is essential during the colder months. Our Winter Essentials range includes knit caps and balaclavas and insulated base layers from tops to leggings. To help your people complete their tasks safely whilst staying warm, we also have a beanie featuring an LED headlight for additional visibility, and latex grip gloves designed to deal with cold and wet conditions.

Vehicle Maintenance

Maintaining vehicles regularly is vital during the winter, whether you have a fleet of commercial vehicles or simply want to keep your staff safe during their commutes. At Caswells, we offer a variety of Winter Essentials kits (including products like de-icer and screen wash), perfect for keeping in the vehicle or stocking in the office for staff use. We also stock de- and pre-icers, antifreeze, demister pads, diesel exhaust additive, and even booster cables to ensure that everyone can get to and from work safely.

Prepared for Darker Nights

Visibility and temperature are both key considerations during the winter - luckily, the Caswells Winter Essentials range has you covered! We have included a variety of mini torches to help your people navigate the darker conditions. The range also features both convection and fan heaters to help keep your workplace comfortable. 

Top Winter Buys

•  Fan Heater – https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workplace%2c-Maintenance-%26-Storage-Equipment/Heaters/Electric/2kW-Fan-Heater

• Torch - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workplace%2c-Maintenance-%26-Storage-Equipment/Power-%26-Light/Torches/Torches/Hilka-1-3W-100-Lumens-Variable-Aluminium-Torch

• Screen Wash - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Janitorial-%26-Personal-Hygiene/Housekeeping/Hard-Surface-Cleaners/Vehicle-Cleaners/Jangro-Screen-Wash

• De-icer - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workplace%2c-Maintenance-%26-Storage-Equipment/Winter-Products-%26-Car-Care/Blue-Star-De-Icer?search=Blue%20Star%20De-Icer

• Essential Knit Hat - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workwear-%26-Clothing/Accessories/Hats%2c-Caps-%26-Neck-Tubes/B013-Knit-Cap-Insulatex-Lined

• Long Sleeve Thermal Vest - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workwear-%26-Clothing/Base-Layers/Espro-Long-Sleeved-Baselayer-Top

To view our entire Winter Essentials range, you can browse our products here or contact the Caswells team for more information.

Global Handwashing Day

Every year on October 15, the world comes together to celebrate Global Handwashing Day — a global call to action to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene.

Every year on October 15, the world comes together to celebrate Global Handwashing Day — a global call to action to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene.

Why Handwashing Still Matters
It’s easy to take handwashing for granted, but it remains one of the most effective defences against the spread of germs, viruses, and infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), proper hand hygiene can reduce respiratory illnesses by 21% and diarrheal disease by up to 40%.

In industries where teamwork and shared spaces are essential e.g offices, warehouses, hospitals, and manufacturing sites, hand hygiene is a frontline defence that keeps everyone healthy and productive.

Building a Culture of Clean in the Workplace
For employers and facilities managers, promoting good hand hygiene isn’t just a health measure — it’s part of building a safe and responsible workplace culture. Here’s how to encourage clean hands every day:

1. Make handwashing facilities accessible
   Ensure every washroom, kitchen, and break area has well-stocked dispensers, soap, and hand towels or dryers.
   
   
2. Use signage as a reminder
   Simple visual reminders near sinks or entrances reinforce the habit — especially during busy shifts or cold and flu season.
   
   
3. Provide quality supplies
   Reliable hygiene products make all the difference. Choose antibacterial soaps, alcohol-based hand sanitisers, and disposable gloves that staff can trust.

We’re dedicated to supporting hygiene excellence through high-quality cleaning products, hand hygiene systems, and education on best practices. Because everyone deserves access to safe, effective hygiene solutions.

Browse our full range of hand hygiene and janitorial supplies here.