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When most companies think about risk, they think about insurance, compliance, or cybersecurity. But one of the biggest areas of exposure is often overlooked: your vendors.
Vendors may not be on your payroll, but they’re still an extension of your operation. Every pair of safety glasses, every N95 respirator, every high-visibility vest that reaches your employees comes through a supply partner — and that relationship directly impacts safety, compliance, and productivity.
Your vendors deserve the same level of scrutiny you give new hires. You wouldn’t bring someone into your organization without checking their qualifications and references; the same should be true for the suppliers who outfit your workforce.
Why Vendor Vetting Matters
A poor vendor relationship can cost more than a late shipment. Counterfeit or uncertified PPE can endanger workers. Unreliable fulfillment can disrupt schedules. And unverified claims about product standards can expose your company to compliance risks.
Unfortunately, not every business operates in good faith. Some online “vendors” are little more than brokers or middlemen with no real control over the products they sell. When things go wrong — defective gear, delayed shipments, missing certifications — customers are often left with limited recourse.
Before partnering with any supplier, confirm that they are a legitimate business with a verifiable history. Check their business address, review their online footprint, and use independent evaluation tools such as APIVoid or ScamAdviser to assess the site’s trust score and credibility. A legitimate vendor will be transparent about who they are, where they operate, and how to reach them.
Choosing the right vendors ensures your employees are protected, your operations stay compliant, and your reputation remains strong.
Vendor Vetting Checklist
When evaluating PPE and safety suppliers, use this checklist to separate the reliable from the risky:
ü Verify product certifications – Check that items meet recognized safety standards such as ANSI Type R, Class 2 for high-visibility clothing or NIOSH approval for N95 respirators. Confirm the certifications are listed on the product page and supported with documentation.
ü Check product listings carefully – Legitimate suppliers clearly display model numbers, certification details, and specifications — not vague claims.
ü Review verified customer feedback – Look for verified buyer reviews on the site itself and third-party public reviews (Google Reviews, Trustpilot, etc.) to gauge consistency in product quality and fulfillment.
ü Contact the company directly – Call or email to ensure you can speak to a real person. Professional vendors are transparent and accessible.
ü Inspect product quality – Pay attention to packaging, labeling, and workmanship. Substandard materials or inconsistent branding are red flags.
ü Review guarantees and warranties – Reputable suppliers stand behind their products and outline return or replacement policies clearly.
ü Assess fulfillment reliability – Ask about average delivery times, shipping partners, and back-order rates to confirm operational dependability.
ü Confirm traceability – Vendors should be able to tell you where products were sourced, manufactured, and tested.
ü Evaluate website transparency – A professional, well-maintained website with detailed product information, certifications, and public reviews signals legitimacy.
ü Start small and monitor – Place a small initial order and evaluate every step — order accuracy, packaging quality, delivery speed, and follow-up support.
Steps to Building a Trusted Supplier Network
Ø Identify high-risk categories – Focus on PPE and safety items that directly impact worker protection; these require the highest standards.
Ø Define approval criteria – Create a written definition of what qualifies as an “approved vendor” (certifications, responsiveness, return policy, service levels).
Ø Track vendor performance – Keep records of order accuracy, on-time delivery, and communication quality for ongoing assessment.
Ø Prioritize consistency – Develop long-term relationships with vendors who consistently meet your standards — and discontinue partnerships with those who do not.
Ø Review regularly – Reassess supplier performance at least once a year to ensure standards and compliance stay current.
Contact us today to learn how NorthSky can help your business.
