Mental health and wellbeing are at the heart of Safety Mate’s Black Dog range of personal protective equipment.
Safety Mate has been a trusted supplier of safety gloves and eyewear to a range of industries for more than two decades.
But the company isn’t just focused on physical protection; it also emphasises the importance of mental wellbeing and support.
As part of an ongoing commitment to improving mental health, Safety Mate is a proud partner of Black Dog Institute, a critical medical research institute that investigates mental health across the lifespan – from childhood to adulthood.
“Since 2021, Safety Mate and Black Dog Institute have worked closely on initiatives to support Safety Mate’s customers and the broader mining and construction sector,” Safety Mate director Clint Tee told Safe to Work. “This partnership also included participating in one of Black Dog Institute’s workplace mental health training programs that is backed by research and delivered by experts.
“The program is designed to build employees’ awareness and understanding of their own mental health and how to have conversations with others.”
The collaboration centres around Safety Mate’s ‘Black Dog’ product range, which supports Black Dog Institute’s work in the mental health space.
The range includes five signature products: three safety gloves, the Black Dog Stream Evo safety glasses and the Skytec 3030V P2 respirators. A portion of profits are channelled directly towards the Institute, bolstering efforts in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses.
“All Australians deserve to feel safe at work, and that includes our mental safety as well as our physical safety,” Black Dog Institute senior research fellow Dr Mark Deady told Safe to Work.
“Most people will spend more than a third of their adult lives working, and this could be even higher in roles that require regular travel or FIFO [fly-in, fly-out] schedules, so we know that mental health at work is closely connected to overall wellbeing.
“Increasing understanding of the signs and symptoms of mental ill-health is one of the first steps to building better mental health at work. It’s encouraging to see organisations like Safety Mate support their people by providing these important training opportunities.”
Black Dog gloves
Each pair of gloves in the Black Dog range have been designed with comfort and durability in mind.
Known for being especially lightweight, the Black Dog Cut D safety gloves provide a high-quality cut level D resistance for those working in tough conditions.
The gloves are also renowned for having a certified ‘Made in Green’ label by Oeko-Tex, a certification that is a traceable product label for safe and sustainably produced products.
The label signifies environmentally friendly manufacturing, social responsibility, safe work environments, and materials free from harmful substances. It helps to assure consumers their products come from facilities that prioritise ecological and ethical standards.
According to Safety Mate, it is the first glove company to achieve such a label.
“This accomplishment highlights our commitment to leading the way in sustainable practices, demonstrating our commitment to environmentally conscious methods and ethical production standards,” Tee said.
Like the Cut D gloves, the Black Dog Impact Cut F gloves are renowned for their breathability, fit and comfort. Both gloves types feature a breathable nitrile coating and lightweight liner, while the Impact Cut F safety gloves have also received the Made in Green label.
Cut D and Cut F are joined by the Black Dog Impact Cut D Grip safety gloves. Built with level D cut resistance, these gloves are covered with the SuperGrip heavy-duty nitrile coating for maximum liquid- and oil-resistant grip.
All Black Dog gloves are made with high-quality materials and are touchscreen compatible and soft in feel. For every pair sold, Safety Mate donates $1 to Black Dog Institute.
Black Dog Stream Evo glasses
The Black Dog Stream EVO safety glasses were designed with high performance and maximum comfort and protection in mind.
Built with premium anti-scratch and anti-fog protection, the Stream EVO glasses feature helpful safety features such as a UV400 rating, lateral protection, slim temples for comfort when worn with ear protectors, and an adjustable anti-slip nose bridge. They are also soft and adjustable, and feature TempFLEX temple tips for a comfortable and secure fit.
The Stream EVO range replaces individual plastic packaging with a reusable microfibre storage pouch made from recycled materials.
Available in clear, grey and LED polycarbonate lens, the Stream EVO glasses are 100 per cent metal-free and feature slim temples to enhance comfort while worn with ear defenders.
There is also a foam gasket and adjustable headband available for additional protection.
For every pair of Black Dog Stream EVO safety glasses sold, Safety Mate donates $0.50 to Black Dog Institute.
Skytec 3030V P2 respirators
The Skytec Black Dog 3030V is a P2-certified respirator designed to protect workers against silicosis, harmful welding fumes and similar respirable hazards – essential in the wide-ranging environments of mining.
The respirator provides a full-foam face seal and first-rate face fit-testing, ensuring comfort during extended use. Further adding to the comfort is the respirator’s lightweight outer shell designed for challenging work conditions.
Featuring a four-point head strap adjustment and a pre-formed nose bridge, the Skytec Black Dog 3030V can be adapted to all face shapes, reducing the need for regular adjustments.
“The 3030V disposable respirators offer an outstanding level of protection demonstrated when conducting face fit-testing,” Tee said.
“The Skytec 3030V provides a full-foam face seal, providing unparalleled comfort and fit, making long hours of wear surprisingly comfortable. Its adaptability makes it a versatile choice for diverse work environments and user needs.”
The respirator is also available in the smaller Skytec Black Dog 3030V-S.
Since forming its partnership with Black Dog Institute, Safety Mate has surpassed $1 million in donations to the organisation.
Tee said the Black Dog product range is more than just personal protection equipment; it symbolises mental health support and awareness.
“If we can contribute through a collaboration like this, we can help provide mental health information and resources to those that need it,” he said.
This feature also appears in the March–April issue of Safe to Work.