S&V Protect Magazine
S&V Protect Magazine is the only South African magazine publication aimed exclusively at the PPE end user. The magazine is published quarterly and covers all aspects of the personal protective equipment and occupational health and safety industry. With editorial contributions from professionals within the industry the publication covers all aspects of the industry. The magazine is published digitally and is available for free via email and on our website.
S&V PROTECT MAGAZINE VOL20 NO3 MAY/JUNE 2026
IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- The Hierarchy of Controls – a constant reminder for the PPE industry.
- China-made firefighting equipment now needs verification of conformity with SANS standards.
- Biodegradable disposable gloves ‘a growing trend’ in PPE.
05 OHS Insights
- New OHS regulations coming into force later this year mean PPE needs to be reviewed, too, writes Veteran SHE and risk management consultant, Leighton Bennett, chairperson of the Safety First Association.
06 PPE Conference
- Protecting the workforce: The critical role of PPE, by Elize Lourens, Specialist: Occupational Health & Hygiene, Directorate Occupational Health and Hygiene, Department of Employment & Labour.
- Occupational noise-induced hearing loss ‘is the most prevalent occupational disease in the world’, by Peter-John ‘Jakes’ Jacobs, Sedulitas.
- Statistical shape modelling for population-specific respirator design: Addressing fit failure in South African populations, by Dr Deon Swanepoel of D’Sayensi Occupational Hygiene.
13 Profiles
- Premier Workwear: Engineered Protection for Africa’s industrial workforce, by Mustapha Adam, director.
- RealPPE Marketplace: Where safety meets smarter procurement, by Sibu Komane, support department.
21 Buyers' Guide
- What's on offer.
Advertisers in this Issue
BBF Safety Group/Bova (OFC), Kaliber (02), Rainbow Group (10), Premier Workwear/FlexiCool (06), Rebel Safety Gear (04), S&V Calendar (05), S&V Directory (12), Sendi Apparel (08).
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Footwear Industry Articles
- Lemaitre’s Robust Pro, ‘based on user feedback, is a gamechanger in safety footwear’Lemaitre, a trusted leader in safety footwear, is proud to announce the launch of the New Robust Pro, a reimagined safety shoe designed to deliver unparalleled comfort, durability, and all-around protection for workers across industries. With the Robust Pro we set out to create a shoe that truly works as hard as the people who wear it by ...moreKZN Clothing and Textile Cluster (KZNCTC) SME AcceleratorDurban, KZN, SA – We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 SME Accelerator Programme.What’s new this year:The programme has been expanded into a full-year development journey, offering SMEs multiple opportunities for learning, mentoring, networking, and direct engagement with potential buyers.We invite you to apply to ...morePalm Footwear: ‘One family’Palm Footwear was founded in July 1966 by Kasie Pattundeen, with 18 staff, making slippers.60 years later, with over 800 staff, it is among the biggest employers in the SA footwear industry and among the biggest manufacturers by volume.It remains a family business, headed by Rajeev and Kiran Pattundeen, with their children, Srishti and Rt ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Leather Naturally launches new report on sustainable water managementLeather Naturally’s latest educational resource, Sustainable Water Management in the Leather Industry (https://www.leathernaturally.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Leather-Naturally-Sustainable-Water-Management.pdf), is available to download.Developed using insights from recent public consultation, the report explores:* Why water rem ...moreAfrican leather businesses holding LWG and SLF ratingsAs African leather manufacturers strive to grow their exports, the number which have qualified for ratings by the Leather Working Group (LWG) and the Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF) is growing.By country, LWG lists the following:Algeria: Sarl Tannerie Ain FakrounBurkina Faso: Mona Industry SARL.Egypt: El Montaza Tannery, Piel Color C ...moreBarnini installs spray booth in SACastelfranco di Sotto (PI), Italy – Leather spray equipment manufacturer Barnini Srl has installed an automatic rotary spray booth at an unnamed South African tannery. ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Selecting the correct protective clothing for a hazardous chemical environmentIn South Africa’s diverse industrial landscape, from mining operations in Rustenburg to petrochemical plants in Secunda and manufacturing hubs in Durban, workers are regularly exposed to hazardous chemical environments that demand more than just basic safety measures.The selection of appropriate protective clothing is not only ...moreUnderstanding local and international PPE standards: Clarity in a complex landscapeAppearances and claims to the contrary, South Africa’s PPE industry “is largely unregulated, and a high percentage of PPE on the market is not compliant with official standards”, uvex Safety SA MD Christo Nel said, “and that’s a problem at many levels, and for the entire value chain”.He said the fundame ...moreWhat if the respirator you rely on to protect your health never sealed properly?I had the opportunity to present at the first PPE Conference in RSA, where I shared some early work we) have been exploring towards developing respirator designs better suited to the South African population.Below is a short AI-generated summary of the core message of the presentation.Respirators are often the last line of defence against ...more
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