Did you know that the certified uniforms used by your employees can go far beyond visual standardization? In regulated and high-risk operational sectors, they can also serve as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and must comply with technical criteria required by standards such as NR-6 and NR-10.
Additionally, with the implementation of NR-38, new guidelines now govern the safety and health measures for professionals working in urban cleaning services.
Compliance with these requirements, combined with specialized industrial uniform laundry services, ensures not only legal conformity but also greater operational efficiency, visual standardization, and safety for everyone.
In this article, we’ll show how certified industrial uniforms and professional cleaning processes contribute to company safety, legal compliance, and operational efficiency. Additionally, you’ll learn how specialized rental of uniforms and PPE can be a strategic solution for sectors that demand high performance, traceability, and adherence to current regulations. Check it out!
What are certified uniforms, and why are they so important?
Industrial uniforms go far beyond visual identity. When certified according to regulatory standards, they function as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), providing protection against physical, chemical, thermal, or biological risks. For example, NR-06 certification for rented PPE ensures that these items meet legal requirements and are ready to protect workers in their daily activities.
Companies operating in sectors such as urban cleaning, construction, electrical, or pharmaceutical industries must meet strict technical requirements. In these environments, the use of industrial uniforms certified under NR-06/NR-10 is essential to ensure worker safety and compliance with regulatory authorities.
Additionally, relying on a specialized industrial uniform laundry helps ensure that these protective garments maintain their safety properties over time, such as barriers against heat, sparks, chemical contamination, or microorganisms.
NR-06: The Foundation for Safety in PPE and Professional Uniforms
NR-06 is one of the most important standards when it comes to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It defines what can be considered PPE, outlines the responsibilities of employers and employees, and requires that all equipment have an Approval Certificate (CA) issued by the Ministry of Labor.
According to this standard, the employer must provide appropriate PPE free of charge, ensuring its maintenance and replacement. The employee, in turn, must use the equipment correctly and be responsible for its care and preservation.
Customized industrial uniforms, when designed to protect against occupational hazards, also qualify as PPE and therefore must comply with NR-06 requirements. This includes suitability for the specific environmental risks, assurance of material quality and durability, and proper maintenance over time.
By choosing Alsco’s professional uniform rental, your company ensures that each garment delivered complies with NR-06, undergoing a rigorous professional cleaning and quality control process, with traceability at every stage of the cycle.
Training and Awareness on the Proper Use of PPE
In addition to providing PPE that complies with legislation, it is essential for companies to conduct regular training on the proper use of uniforms and protective equipment. Raising team awareness about the importance of these items for their own safety reduces the risk of accidents and ensures greater durability and effectiveness of the equipment.
NR-10 Certified Uniforms: Protection in Electrical Environments
NR-10 specifically addresses activities involving electricity, requiring the use of appropriate PPE and protective clothing. NR-10 uniforms are made from flame-retardant fabrics and materials that prevent electrical conductivity, significantly reducing the risk of burns, electric shocks, and accidents involving electric arcs.
In addition to technical protection, these uniforms must ensure comfort, mobility, and visibility for workers; therefore, visual standardization—with reflective strips and appropriate colors—is an integral part of safety. Companies engaged in electrical maintenance, industrial installations, and other activities with electrical hazards should invest in renting uniforms and PPE certified in accordance with NR-10.
Qualified industrial laundries, such as Alsco, carry out the cleaning of PPE such as boots, gloves, and technical uniforms, maintaining the functional properties of these items and ensuring that the certified washing cycle preserves their protective capabilities.
NR-38: The New Regulation for Urban Cleaning and Solid Waste
Since January 2024, NR-38 has been in effect, establishing mandatory occupational safety and health measures for companies engaged in urban cleaning and solid waste management.
These are high-risk activities involving biological, physical, and ergonomic hazards, including exposure to contaminants, sharp objects, chemical agents, and repetitive physical strain.
The main points of NR-38 include:
- The requirement for appropriate uniforms and PPE for collection, sweeping, pruning, transfer, and sorting;
- Implementation of a Risk Management Program (PGR);
- Recording information on work locations, routes, and service fronts;
- Occupational Health Medical Control Program (PCMSO), including immunization against hepatitis B and tetanus;
- Procedures for vehicle cleaning, PPE maintenance, and training.
In the case of companies engaged in urban cleaning, the risk of exposure to biological waste requires validated cleaning processes that ensure the sanitary safety of the equipment.
The combined rental of uniforms and PPE with scheduled cleaning allows for efficient management for companies in this sector, which also require delivery and collection logistics for PPE to service routes promptly and safely.
The Importance of Certification and Maintenance of PPE
Providing protective equipment alone is not enough. Continuous maintenance, proper cleaning, and technical repairs are essential for workplace safety. Damaged or soiled uniforms and PPE can compromise their effectiveness and pose risks.
Therefore, the cleaning of PPE such as boots and gloves, as well as the certified PPE washing cycle, must follow specific standards, such as the PPE Washing Standard (CCLE-002), ensuring that industrial cleaning processes do not compromise the integrity of the materials.
Specialized laundries, such as Alsco, offer comprehensive solutions with traceability, quality control, item replacement, and technical support for companies that want to keep their employees protected and their operations compliant.
Cross-Contamination Risks and the Importance of Validated Cleaning
In sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food, and urban cleaning, the risk of cross-contamination is a constant concern. Contaminated uniforms can become carriers of bacteria, viruses, or chemical particles, putting workers’ health, product safety, and compliance with sanitary regulations at risk.
For this reason, validated cleaning is essential. Alsco carries out this process based on international standards, ensuring that each uniform returns to the client fully cleaned, decontaminated, and safely packaged. Practices such as segregating wash loads by risk type, thermal disinfection, and microbiological control are applied to ensure maximum safety.
Reduction of Labor Liabilities and Strengthening of Safety Culture
Uniforms and PPE that comply with regulations not only protect workers but also help reduce labor liabilities arising from accidents, supply failures, or improper use of equipment. Investing in comprehensive solutions, such as those offered by Alsco, strengthens a company’s safety culture and conveys confidence to clients, partners, and regulatory authorities.
Visual Standardization as a Strategic Factor
Visual identity is not just a marketing matter. In industrial environments, uniform standardization directly influences the perception of organization, discipline, and professionalism.
Customized industrial uniforms help reinforce the brand, facilitate team identification, and contribute to internal engagement. When combined with protective features and certified in accordance with NR-06 and NR-10 standards, these uniforms become powerful tools for safety and corporate image.
Standardization also reduces operational errors, improves field communication, and demonstrates the company’s commitment to employee safety and well-being.
Advantages of Professional Uniform Laundry Services
Choosing a professional laundry service for cleaning industrial uniforms and PPE offers a range of operational, economic, and environmental benefits for companies. This type of service goes far beyond superficial cleaning, ensuring efficiency, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards.
Washing certified uniforms, such as those meeting NR-06 and NR-10 standards, requires specific processes that preserve the technical properties of the fabrics without compromising their protective capabilities. To achieve this, specialized laundries follow strict protocols, including temperature control, precise use of cleaning agents, water reuse, and quality monitoring at every stage.
Industrial laundries like Alsco also carry out inspection, maintenance, and technical repairs of PPE, extending the lifespan of the items and ensuring they are always in optimal condition for use.
Technologies Applied in Industrial Uniform Laundries
The use of specialized technologies in industrial uniform laundries makes all the difference in preserving the technical properties of fabrics and process efficiency. At Alsco, every step of the cleaning process is automated and precisely controlled, using systems that adjust the dosage of chemicals, temperature, and washing time according to the fabric type and the requirements of the applicable standard.
In addition, the identification of uniforms with RFID tags ensures individual tracking of each item, monitoring usage cycles and scheduled replacements. This technology provides greater transparency, predictability in replenishment, and prevents losses or incorrect exchanges.
Efficient Logistics
Another key advantage of Alsco’s rental system is the delivery and collection logistics for PPE. Through a traceability system, it is possible to monitor the complete cycle of each uniform—from delivery, use, collection, cleaning, and maintenance to return to the client. This control ensures that no employee uses damaged uniforms or items with reduced protective effectiveness.
Integrated PPE Management
Efficient PPE management goes beyond the initial provision. It is necessary to monitor the lifecycle of each item, identify wear and tear, maintain traceability, and ensure scheduled replacements without disrupting operations.
By choosing a specialized company like Alsco, your business benefits from integrated uniform management, which includes not only rental and cleaning but also technical control, preventive maintenance, and guidance on the proper disposal of damaged items.
Sustainability in Uniform Management
Another key aspect is the connection between sustainability and smart uniform management. Companies like Alsco adopt sustainable practices throughout the lifecycle of PPE and professional clothing. This includes the efficient use of resources, water recycling in the laundry process, proper disposal of textile waste, and emissions control.
Choosing a uniform rental system with integrated laundry also helps reduce the water and energy consumption that would be required if the company managed this process in-house. In doing so, the organization not only ensures employee safety but also fosters a corporate culture that is more environmentally responsible.
How Alsco Complies with Regulatory Requirements
In addition to the requirements set by NR-06, NR-10, and NR-38, many sectors demand even more specific solutions to maintain safety, compliance, and team performance in highly controlled environments. Therefore, partnering with a company that provides solutions tailored to different levels of technical requirements is essential.
With over 135 years of global experience and a well-established presence in Brazil, Alsco is a benchmark in professional uniform rental, PPE cleaning, and integrated clothing management for regulated sectors. Its services fully comply with the requirements of NR-06, NR-10, and NR-38 standards.
The company offers customized rental and laundry programs, with quality certification, technical maintenance, scheduled replacement, and efficient logistics—all focused on safety, sustainability, and legal compliance.
For companies operating in industry, urban cleaning, the electrical sector, or any environment with occupational hazards, the solution lies in partnering with experts who provide a comprehensive service.
Want to ensure the safety of your employees and stay compliant with regulatory standards? Contact Alsco and discover how uniform and PPE rental can transform your company’s safety management.
