Alexis Vernet and Laurent Poncet from COLAS Group "We really have a PPE culture at Colas, it's become a reflex."

Alexis Vernet: We mainly work on roadworks and miscellaneous networks, all aspects of roads and outdoor landscaping. We work in the Ondaine valley: Le Chambon-Feugerolles, La Ricamarie, just outside Saint-Étienne. We work on a wide variety of projects of varying lengths. 

Laurent Poncet: They are varied. For example, we have to be vigilant to the risks of crushing and cuts to hands and feet, falls, noise, bad weather, and so on. When working outdoors, the dangers are manifold. 

Alexis Vernet: There's also road traffic. Even on a work site marked "road closed", some motorists still pass, so it's important to be really visible. Local residents and outsiders are also quite dangerous.

Laurent Poncet: I'm in charge of purchasing PPE for the whole team. At Colas, the site foreman has total freedom to choose equipment according to the workers' preferences. Nothing is imposed; we let ourselves be guided by the buyers and the central purchasing office. Our most common protective items are helmets, of course, safety shoes, gloves, ear plugs... We really have a PPE culture at Colas, it's become a reflex.

Alexis Vernet: The Phoenix helmet is very good, it's lighter than our usual helmets. We wear it all day long, and we can clearly see the difference it makes to our necks! It's much lighter and more comfortable. Like the jackhammer gloves (1VIBL), it's important to be well equipped and protected when you're doing this all day long. With Coverguard gloves, you don't feel the vibrations as much, which is very pleasant. 

Laurent Poncet: It's true that anti-vibration gloves with little pads inside are ideal when you're using a jackhammer. They're ideal for these very specific tasks. For everyday tasks, we use thinner gloves. Cut-resistant gloves are also very effective, especially in winter. In the middle of a heatwave, they are harder to bear because of their thickness. 

Alexis Vernet: Absolutely, it keeps the neck cool. Once wet, with the helmet, it's perfect. It's much better than the one the company supplied before. 

Laurent Poncet: I agree with Alexis, the safari jacket is great! When the sun's beating down, it cuts out all the heat and cools you down really well. We can't wait for the next heatwave to bring it out again! 

Laurent Poncet: My team and I appreciate Tiger goggles for their comfort and the quality of their vision, which is not at all impaired. They last well over time, and for us, who are major consumers of this type of PPE, that's no mean feat!