Health & Safety Update - June 2019

Health & Safety Update | June 2019

Industry News - Safety & Security - PPE - Tools & Equipment

Leading independent freight firm expands its fleet with Mitsubishi

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WELCOME

Health & Safety Update June 2019

Contents

| JUne 2019

Industry News - Safety & Security - PPE - Tools & Equipment

04

Industry News

14

Safety & Security

19

PPE

28

Tools & Equipment

28 COVER STORY Leading independent Leading independent freight firm freight firm expands itsexpands its fleet with Mitsubishi fleet with Mitsubishi

22

Tilsatec launch ultralightweight 18 gauge cut level D range

24

Dust hazards in the workplace

4 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Industry News

GEZE UK sets new standards GEZE UK is setting new standards having achieved the ISO 45001:2018 accreditation for Health and Safety – one of the first in the industry to gain the new award.

The company is also the first of GEZE’s worldwide subsidiaries to gain the accreditation.

ISO 45001 is an international standard that specifies the requirements for a management system that uses robust and effective processes for improving work safety in global supply chains and is also the world’s first international standard for occupational health and safety.

Designed to help organisations of all sizes and industries, ISO states that the new international standard is expected to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.

Gavin Downes HSQE Manager at GEZE UK (left) with GEZE UK managing director Kaz Spiewakowski, with the certificate.

The four-stage process presents a vigorous certification route to document the company’s efforts towards implementing change and applying checks and balances to ensure that standards are met.

The achievement follows the company’s previous successes when it achieved ISO 9001 – quality and the ISO 14001 environmental standards.

Said Kaz Spiewakowski managing director of GEZE UK: “This is a huge achievement and it should be

acknowledged that this was achieved through the efforts, hard work and determination to improve the business by every member of the company.

It is only through this constant desire to improve and excel, that GEZE UK continues to change for the better ensuring that the safety of our people, assets and anyone we work or interact with is a priority.”

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 5

industry news

Alcumus launches NEBOSH’s incident investigation course Alcumus HSE has been selected as an official course provider by NEBOSH and Health and Safety Executive (HSE), for its new Incident Investigation qualification.

The new one-day course has been created to help organisations learn how to investigate non-complex incidents more effectively. The course is aimed at those who are keen to enhance the efficiency for their incident investigations such as supervisors, SHE champions and safety representatives.

Joining forces for the creation of the new qualification, NEBOSH and HSE both believe that if minor incidents are better investigated, organisations can prevent more serious accidents from occurring.

The new qualification covers: • Moral, legal and financial arguments for investigations • Human and organisational factors that can contribute to an incident • The process of investigating incidents • Positive interview strategies and the barriers to successful interviews

Simon Jones, Technical Director of Alcumus HSE, said “it’s great to see NEBOSH and HSE in collaboration to bring new practical training to businesses.

The development of investigation skills in businesses will help those organisations learn from mistakes and hopefully make them better for understanding the causes.

It’s a real testament to our training offering that NEBOSH selected Alcumus HSE as a course provider.

This is the first course of its kind to offer the unique collaboration between NEBOSH and the Health and Safety Executive and aims to enable organisations to better manage investigations in order to prevent the recurrence of incidents.”

Matthew Powell-Howard, NEBOSH Qualification Development Manager, added, “at NEBOSH, we’ve wanted to produce a course on incident investigation for some time, and working with the HSE gave us the opportunity to develop this qualification.

“The underlying and root causes of incidents are very rarely explored fully. This qualification will help learners understand what a robust approach to incident investigation looks like, which will help improve the health and safety culture within their organisations.”

See Alcumus on Stand SH4070 at Safety & Health Expo, taking place at London’s ExCeL, from 18-20 June 2019.

Stop. Make a Change campaign returns in September with focus on seven risks The civil engineering sector’s “Stop.

Make a Change” safety stand-down campaign will return in September this year, focusing on seven key risks to health, safety and wellbeing identified earlier this year by major infrastructure clients.

discuss commercial issues but later broadened its scope to health and safety.

From 9 to 13 September, organisations that sign up to join the campaign will temporarily halt work in sites, offices and production facilities to hold focused discussions on health, safety and wellbeing.

ICG members include Highways England, Sellafield and Transport for London.

Members will develop action plans aiming to eliminate, by 2025, illness and injury related to:

Launched in April 2017, with the involvement of 60 companies employing 60,000 workers, the event was extended to cover the wider construction sector in April 2018 when more than 100 companies and 100,000 employees took part.

The seven topics for this year’s event were identified by the Infrastructure Client Group (ICG), which was set up by the Institution of Civil Engineers to

“Together industry is working to address the key health, safety and wellbeing risks that our sector faces” said Alasdair Reisner, CECA chief executive

• • • • • • •

people and mobile plant; mental health; striking buried services; lifting operations; heavy goods vehicle operations; hand arm vibration-related disease; public safety.

As part of the campaign, customers, contractors and suppliers are encouraged to make specific commitments to improve performance in priority areas and share best practice.

Face of the Profession surveyThis year, companies that register as supporters will be expected to sign up to commitments on all or some of the risks identified by the ICG. The campaign was developed by a group of major contractors co-ordinated by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA). However, the campaign stresses that organisations of any size are welcome to support it.

CECA chief executive Alasdair Reisner said: “Stop. Make a Change has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2017, becoming a construction-wide initiative for companies of all sizes to participate in.

“Together industry is working to make sure we address the key health, safety and wellbeing risks that our sector faces.

“It is imperative that this momentum is maintained if we are to generate real change in how the construction sector operates.”

6 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Industry News With more than 2 decades of experience in providing security services Satia Rai, Operations Director for TC Security services shares 5 of the common mistakes that can easily be made that can undermine a person’s sense of security and wellbeing.

How can you avoid these 5 common mistakes made in safeguarding your assets, staff, customers and visitors? #1 Not identifying your security needs

#4 Not enforcing ID requirements

By far the biggest mistake businesses make is not clearly defining what the risks, either potential or actual, are for all of the stakeholders that have touch points with your business that you need to guard against. No business is the same and it is therefore impossible to use a “one-size-fits-all” solution.

Failing to enforce ID requirements is another business security mistake. This can also pose a risk whereby non-authorized persons can have access to important areas in the business and can lead to thefts in the business.

To avoid this risk tap in to the expertise on offer from an SIA accredited security service provider that is approved to supply manned guarding services will mitigate against this. The SIA provides helpful advice of what you need to know about sourcing a security services partner.

#2 Not securing or controlling access points Many businesses have more than one entrance or exit.

Each of these pose a security risk.

To limit the security risk ensure that all access points are secured, controlled and fitted with the best security systems. Because the fewer active access points you have, the more secure your business will be.

#3 Not securing important areas Neglecting to protect business data and other confidential information often held in important areas of the business, such as computer server rooms and places with critical documents, is another mistake that businesses sometimes make.

To avoid this common business security mistake, consider securing these sensitive areas by installing biometrics access systems together with security video systems to be a deterrent of theft.

So, to avoid this business security mistake, you have to enforce ID and badge requirements. Both these two items are effective when it comes to ontrolling access points.

As much as it may be tempting to let higher management and frequent visitors into the building without their badge or needing to sign in or follow the visitor policy, resist the temptation to do so since it undermines the integrity of the programme in place.

#5 Not protecting personal information and company property Since the introduction of GDPR the number of data breaches have significantly increased due to a variety of reasons. One cause of this, according to reports, is that in some places a “clear desk” policy is still not being followed. To support staff to follow a policy, a security patrol is able to both identify areas where re-education may be valuable along with placing information not adhering to the policy in a control room for collection later.

Another way to avoid the loss of property is to implement random personal searches. This enables checks to ensure that any assets being taken away from the property are assigned to individual against recorded asset numbers.

www.tcfm.co.uk/security

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 7

Industry news

New apprenticeship standard agreed for lift truck and powered access technicians In a major new development for the sector, a Level 3 Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineering Technician apprenticeship standard and end point assessment (EPA) have been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education.

The 36-month course will be recognised by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (I/MechE), the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

Originally part of the Government’s Trailblazer initiative, the new standard is the result of industry-wide consultation coordinated

by F-TEC — the forklift industry’s training facility — working in tandem with a steering group drawn from across the industry. Among the manufacturers, dealerships and industry bodies involved were Crown, Linde, Acclaim Handling, IPAF, BITA, FLTA, Lomax Powered Access and Briggs Equipment.

Announcing the news, F-TEC Managing Director Karl Baum said: “The training landscape is changing, and we have worked with organisations of every size from across the industry to create a modern standard that meets the needs of both employers and apprentices.

“It has been an extraordinary team effort and we are delighted that the new standard has been approved.

We look forward to implementing it on future programmes.”

It is anticipated that the new standard will be introduced initially for those starting new apprenticeships this summer, with full enrolment expected by September.

Speaking on behalf of the Steering Group, its chairman Kevin Sowerby of Crown emphasised the scale of the achievement.

“This is a hugely important development.

It is the result of a great deal of hard work and the widest possible consultation

in order to ensure that the standard is truly representative and meets the requirements of the whole industry.

“At this moment we have some concerns regarding funding levels but are working with the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education in order to resolve them.”

For more information on the new Level 3 standard for Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineering Technicians please call 01793 686182.

8 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

industry news

Onshore wind sector launches SafetyOn to ‘drive collaboration and accountability’ Energy companies have joined suppliers and industry bodies in the onshore wind sector to form SafetyOn, a not for profit member organisation that aims to foreground health and safety in all new developments and activity in the sector.

The 19 members, including EDF Renewables, GE Energy and the Energy Institute (EI), intend to collect data and undertake analysis to ensure there is an accurate picture of workplace risk in the sector.

Concerns over safety standards in the onshore sector were raised by the Unite union in April 2017 after two workers died after falling from wind turbines within a fortnight of each other at windfarms operated by ScottishPower Renewables.

The HSE does not collate statistics on windfarm incidents as a separate category, and a campaign group that collates its own statistics from press reports claims that lack of a transparency is holding back scrutiny of the sector’s accident rates.

The EI, the professional body for the energy sector, is providing the secretariat for SafetyOn.

An EI spokesman told Health and Safety at Work: “We understand the challenge of setting up a robust data reporting system and are taking great care to set up as system that is as accurate as possible.

“The data gathered will be used to identify key emerging risks and to monitor trends on health and safety performance based on anonymised data.

University of Strathclyde offers Safety & Risk Management Qualification The University of Strathclyde will be inviting Safety & Health Expo visitors to discover more about its postgraduate programme in Safety and Risk Management, designed to develop highly effective Occupational Safety and Health Practitioners capable of operating across the full spectrum of working environments.

The programme is delivered through part time, online distance learning, enabling those with full time work commitments to participate and study in their own time, from any location, and achieve a valuable qualification of benefit to both the individual and the organisation.

Written and supported by a dedicated team of tutors / practitioners engaged in health and safety practice across a variety of workplace settings, this course offers a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge and expertise in a highly practical context. Each student is supported by a personal tutor throughout their studies.

Cedric Auge student testimonial‘I cannot recommend this course more highly if you are fully intent on pursuing a career in this area. It will be a lot of work, but if committed, you will find the support you need to succeed in your education and certainly thereafter professionally’. Cedric Auge, MSc Safety & Risk Management Student.

The Postgraduate Certificate (year 1) is recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) for Graduate Level Membership (GradIOSH). For those who already hold GradIOSH membership, direct entry to the Postgraduate Diploma (year 2) is offered, meaning students can achieve their MSc in less than two years. Open to students from a range of industries and locations, the programme offers flexible entry and exit points meaning students can exit at any level of the programme and receive an appropriate award.

Prospective students without a first degree are welcome, with

relevant work experience and training being considered for entry.

The programme continues to receive positive feedback from its students, enabling them to be a ‘better health and safety professional’. Students from the programme were recently recognised at an International safety conference where they claimed the top two positions in a student competition entitled ‘future leaders of OSH’. The winning student submitted a paper that examined how safety is communicated to contractors and the techniques that could be implemented to improve this communication pathway. The second paper examined workers in the rail maintenance and construction industry and considered fatigue management in 24/7 rail operations.

In addition, the University offer continuing professional development courses, including the highly popular IOSH Managing Safely and a Professional Certificate in Radiation Protection. The IOSH Managing Safely course is held on campus in Glasgow City Centre and is led by an experienced Chartered Safety and Health professional. The course runs over three days and is often offered on consecutive weeks to minimise the disruption to the working week.

To find out more about the University of Strathclyde’s Safety and Risk Management Programme, visit Stand SH1240 at Safety & Health Expo. The show takes place from 18-20 June at London’s ExCeL. Click on the link below to secure your free place.

10 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Warehouse Labelling and Identification Systems By jim Roberts

The management of any warehouse/stores needs an effective labelling and identification system, stock needs to be identified and in its rightful place in order to maximise order picking and minimise costly errors. Beaverswood can offer a one stop shop for all your warehouse labelling and identification needs.

It is understood that many order pickers working in an environment where an in-effective system operates waste a large proportion of their time trying to pick goods that are not in their rightful place.

This also leads to an increase in picking errors these errors hurt every aspect of the business as not only does it lead to having to re-process the order sometimes involving credits, re-invoices and re-despatch taking up lots of precious time it could also lower customer retention.

For many SME’s having a full blown barcoded order picking system isn’t feasible due to the costs and as a result most business retain their existing systems which often become antiquated as a result of changes in product, market fluctuations and warehouses practices. A small outlay to produce a labelling system can help in

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 11

achieving lower picking times, lower errors and often help in increasing customer satisfaction and retention.

Looking purely at cost saving lets use a typical example of an industrial goods re-seller averaging 50 orders a day with an average order value of £75.00 (£3750.00) His order picking errors are 3% (1.5 orders per day) with all the associated costs to correct these orders running at £40 per order. 1.5 orders x £40 =£60 – per day x 20 working days a month x 12 months = a yearly cost of £14,400. By having a more efficient system and reducing order picking rates down to 0.5% which would equate to 0.25 orders per day (£40 x 0.25 x 20 days x 12 months) would give a total cost of £2,400. Not only therefore is there a direct saving of £12,000 achieved in the first year but also it would equate to an extra 300 orders being delivered correctly to the customer, a true double edge sword by reducing costs and improving customer retention.

As well as having an effective labelling system, legislation states that you must warn staff/visitors of hazards within the premises.

According to statistics one worker is killed every six weeks and many more injured as a direct result of forklift accidents. Having set pedestrianised routes/areas and visible forklift warning signs will help reduce the likelihood of any incidents occurring. Our floor marking range can be found here FLOOR MARKERS

To further aid demarcation products such as floor signalling can be used which help highlight walkways, traffic flow, pallet positions and general marking on the warehouse floor. Available in a choice of 6 colours these floor labels are a simple but effective solution for floor marking.

Over the last few years there has been a significant growth in company’s adopting 5S and LEAN manufacturing policy’s, The 5S focus is on Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain.

Company’s adopting these policy’s achieve higher operational results by sustaining a productive work environment, reduce waste, help lower accidents and lower unplanned downtime.

To manage warehouse waste and maintain 5S standards adding Racksacks to the end of racking help waste segregation, promotes a cleaner green environment with less clutter/waste products being on the floor possibly leading to lower accidents.The racksacks are available in 14 standard designs and can also be produced with special prints/logos/design. Due to legislation that became effective in 2015 all waste producers must follow a hierarchy to re-cycle or re-use as much of their waste as possible and any waste that can not be must be segregated before being passed to waste collectors.

These products can be purchased through many industrial distributors for further details on the nearest supplier and to obtain more information on labeling and identification products contact Beaverswood Supply Co Ltd, 0118 9796096, sales@beaverswood.co.uk

12 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Safety & Security

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 13

Safety & Security

Emergency Access With Security The Emergency Bolt Company has been manufacturing and supplying its unique range of Cooperbolt emergency door bolts and door alarms for over 30 years.

Cooperbolt door bolts are an economical and effective option to securely lock and alarm single and double doors whilst allowing emergency access in one robust housing. Alarmed units incorporate a loud 100db+ battery powered alarm.

We supply alarmed and non-alarmed bolts for inward and outward opening doors, together with a range of door alarms and panic bolt alarms which can add an alarm facility in minutes. We manufacture our bolts and alarms in the UK, supplying UK and overseas markets.

Main Features • Secure bolt locking and emergency access in one unit.

• Heavy duty, hard wearing, aluminium body.

• Self-contained battery powered alarmed models.

• Easy to fit. Minimal maintenance required.

Nothing to break.

Operation Pushing the green pushpad (or pulling the handle) releases the bolt shoot, activates the alarm (alarm bolts) and allows the door to open. The bolt is reset and the alarm is silenced (alarm bolts) by locking the door with the key.

Choice of Models • Inward and outward opening.

• Alarmed and nonalarmed.

• Key switch (’S’): on/off keyswitch alarm.

Construction • Housing: die-cast aluminium.

• Bolt Shoot: 12mm diameter steel.

• Backplate: 2mm thick steel.

Contents Main housing unit, backplate, keep (flat keep: push bolts, box keep: pull bolts), 2 keys, door sign, battery (alarmed models), screws and fitting & operating instructions.

Door Alarms We have a range of heavy duty door alarms which provide a stand-alone alarm facility to most doors in a matter of minutes. They benefit from the same robust construction as our door bolts.

Right hand and left hand models are available as well as a vertical fit model.

Other Products We also supply a range of other security, fire safety products from our Security Fire and Safety Direct website.

The Emergency Bolt Company Ltd, Unit 6, Vennland Business Park, Mart Road, Minehead, TA24 5BJ. Tel: 01643 709591 Email: sales@theemergencyboltcompany.com Website: www.theemergencyboltcompany.com

14 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Safety & Security

Why saving a few extra pounds on emergency lighting can be dangerous When it comes to designing emergency lighting, there are many factors to consider. Peter Adams, Mackwell’s Central Service & Training Manager explains more.

Not only must the emergency lighting system be fit for purpose, but it must also meet stringent safety and compliance standards. Meeting these standards can impact financially, both in terms of the design and specification, through to the installation, and the on-going maintenance of the system. Often portrayed as a necessary but unattractive part of the lighting scheme, emergency lighting is in fact, a safety critical system and is a legal requirement within commercial premises.

It is provided to help facilitate the immediate and safe evacuation of occupants from the premises in times of emergency and as such, must be afforded the same importance and diligence of other such systems. Short cuts and corner cutting such as the specification of substandard components and ineffective maintenance schedules, brought about by budgetary constraints can all result in non-compliances, compromising the safety of the building occupants.

One of the most fundamental aspects of building safety, the provision of an adequate emergency lighting system, can often be overlooked. Its importance, however, is critical in ensuring the safety of employees and members of the public. Emergency lighting provides guidance and illumination of a sufficiently high level to enable all occupants to evacuate the premises safely at times of emergency. The consequences of a non-compliant emergency lighting system can impact severely on the health and safety of occupants, resulting in prosecutions such as fines and custodial sentences depending on the level of non-compliance.

British Standards With the extensive revision of BS 5266 - 1: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises (released May 2016 and brought into force in June 2017), the way designers approach emergency lighting has fundamentally changed. Despite better defined responsibilities and more detail on emergency safety lighting and standby lighting requirements, the area is now more complex with greater scope for confusion between parties responsible for the design, installation, testing/commissioning and ongoing performance of the emergency lighting system.

As with most aspects of health and safety, there are many national and international standards in place to ensure that such systems can perform the tasks demanded of them. It is therefore imperative that the constituent components of the emergency lighting system are selected, designed and installed to the specific criteria within these standards, ensuring compliance and performance of both the components and the system as a whole.

The Code of practice, BS 5266 :1999 – 2016, is an essential point of reference. Its accompanying standard; BS 5266 Part 7 - EN 1838: 2013, defines the minimum

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 15

Safety & Security Compliance

lux levels and photometric requirements when designing the emergency lighting scheme. Also, in place is the standard; BS EN 60598-2-22: 2014, for luminaires used in emergency lighting and ensures that they achieve the performance required whilst remaining electrically and mechanically safe.

In addition, the European Application Standard with improved testing regimes, EN 50172: 2004, is a vital supporting part of the BS 5266 series.

The design objective for any emergency lighting system is established by BS 5266 Section 5.2.1 which says that, when the supply to the normal lighting fails, emergency lighting is required to: • indicate clearly the escape routes • provide illumination along such routes to allow safe movement through the exits • ensure that fire-alarm and fire-fighting equipment can be readily located British and European Standards provide guidance on the implementation of requirements and solutions, on sustainability and energy use, guidance on required equipment, lighting for specific specialist areas as well as guidance on the installation process, testing and commissioning – all of which need to be considered at the start of the design process.

It is also important for the manufacturer to understand the intended environment for the luminaire in order to specify the correct safety components. Although there is currently no legislation covering the use of LS ZH (low smoke, zero halogen) components, it is recommended that LSZH be used in fittings specified for use in large public areas where there is a risk of fire. This will minimize the risk from the after effects of an electrical fire, such as gas and smoke inhalation. For example, after the Kings Cross fire in 1987, LSZH sheathing became mandatory for all electrical wiring in London Underground Stations.

In order for the emergency lighting system to remain compliant throughout its lifetime, structured and effective maintenance is essential. The system requires testing in line with the requirements specified in BS EN 50172, together with any remedial action which is identified by these tests. Routine visual inspection of the system is also fundamental to check for any changes to décor, colour schemes, fabric and structure together with any reparations which may impact the designed scheme.

Unlike a fire alarm system which is generally subjected to a simple, periodic audible test for functionality, (albeit in line with an annual sub-contracted service contract), the maintenance of the emergency lighting system is more time consuming if being undertaken manually, without the aid of an automatic test facility, The annual full discharge test of up to three hours duration may need to be staggered across different storeys and areas within the building and this may be perceived as a costly and labour intensive overhead. What value can be put on the health and safety of occupants though? The effect of the emergency lighting is seldom seen until required, and it is during these times, where the safe and immediate evacuation of the building is paramount, that we come to appreciate the true value of this safety critical system.

Luminaires The cumulative operating costs of emergency lighting can be considerable, and the choice of fitting should be considered in terms of its installation cost, long-term energy consumption and maintenance or replacement costs. LED’s consume about 25% of the power of traditional lamps and offer excellent lumen maintenance as the light output remains constant throughout its design life. The greatest cost benefit, however, relates to lamp replacement. LED lamps typically have a 50,000h rated life, ten times that of a typical fluorescent tube.

Using LED emergency luminaires will greatly reduce the maintenance costs of an emergency lighting system and they have a longer expected life and lower running costs than standard luminaires.

Batteries Batteries also have an impact on the cost of luminaires intended for emergency lighting, with Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries the preferred choice for self-contained luminaires despite the fact that they utilise a toxic metal. However, Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries

16 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Safety & Security offer a viable alternative with significant benefits over the Nickel-cadmium battery. The NiMH battery offers an energy density two to three times that of the NiCd battery, meaning it can be a third of the size of the NiCd equivalent.

Combined with a LED light source and appropriate charger, this can result in a very compact package. Another significant benefit is the charging regime. NiCd batteries require a constant current charge, NiMH batteries however, have an excellent rapid-charge capability meaning they can be given a boost charge followed by a trickle charge. This results in long term energy savings, reducing ongoing costs.

Maintenance Traditionally industry practice has been to replace the whole emergency fitting if it fails the annual test as it was believed that this was more economical than isolating the circuit to replace the faulty component, usually the battery. This often results in emergency fittings being replaced every 3 to 4 years, but by choosing a fitting that allows for easy removal for repair and upgrade and an accessible battery drawer, the life span of the unit can be considerably increased, reducing long-term maintenance and replacement costs.

Keeping emergency lighting luminaires clean is vital to lighting efficiency. Over time dirt, grease and the build-up of insects inside the light fitting can reduce the light levels and can reduce the illumination by up to 30%, potentially falling below minimum lighting levels. This could mean a test failure and result in a non-compliance.

Monitoring Solutions

Testing Statistical evidence indicates that regular testing and maintenance of emergency lighting systems is not routinely carried out by many organisations as it is laborious and time consuming, and therefore expensive. However, the fines for non-compliance are more so and eventually puts lives at risk.

Testing of the emergency lighting system should be carried out at regular intervals by a qualified person. The tests must be carried out in line with the schedules outlined in BS EN 50172 as below: • Daily – visual check that all charge indicators are lit on and check lamps on all maintained luminaires are working.

• Monthly - a monthly functional test is designed to simulate a failure of normal lighting for sufficient time to allow all emergency luminaires to be checked for correct operation and signs of damage or deterioration and the results recorded in a log book.

• Annually – a test simulating the failure of the normal lighting supply for the full emergency duration (typically 3 hours) to ensure that the emergency luminaires can function for the full duration whilst maintaining their declared emergency output or ballast lumen factor figures. During this test, the batteries will be discharged, and the luminaires will not be fully operational until they have had time to recharge.

Therefore, this test is normally carried out whilst the building is unoccupied and at periods of low risk.

There are systems available which will make the testing process easier and less expensive, the upfront costs are similar to installing a standard emergency lighting system, but the payback is the long-term maintenance and testing cost savings.

• Self-test Emergency luminaires provide simple ‘stand-alone’ automatic testing and the result of the test is indicated through a bi-colour LED on the luminaire. Monthly checks will still need to be carried out by the responsible person and the test results recorded and entered into the log book. However, the benefit of this type of system is that the person recording the information is not required to be qualified as they will not be testing the system manually.

• Automatic Test Systems connect the emergency luminaires to a remote-control panel that collects the results centrally.

These systems provide 24/7 monitoring, self-testing and reporting, including remote access to the status of every fitting, automatic record keeping and fault notification. These systems use a low voltage communication signal via an interface such as DALI and can be easily retro-fitted, providing regulatory compliance with minimal effort.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 17

Safety & Security Specification Compromising on the specification of a fitting at installation can lead to long term maintenance issues, impacting on health and safety. It is a requirement that luminaires chosen for self-contained emergency lighting include a local indicator which is visible in normal operation. These indicators are a valuable aid to maintenance in the first instance, as they provide an immediate indication of the health of the emergency luminaire and that the battery is being charged. If the indicator is green, the luminaire is healthy. They do not, however, negate the requirement for regular safety checks. Emergency lighting systems should be maintained on a regular basis to ensure they are fully functional, the batteries are fully charged and that their light sources remain operational. These checks should be carried out by a suitably qualified responsible person as determined in the fire safety order and the fire safety log book should be updated subsequently to each test.

This will ensure that all fire safety legislation is adhered to and that the emergency lighting system remains fully operational, meeting fire safety requirements.

The law is drafted to place ultimate responsibility squarely with the owner of the property, but it also names in the act a “responsible person”, who the owner of the property can appoint and delegate that responsibility to. That person is then required to make the necessary provision for emergency lighting, including undertaking risk assessments and having a proper fire safety schedule mapped out. Even if the owner delegates the responsibility, they are still responsible for ensuring that the “responsible person” has been properly trained.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the installation of emergency and safety lighting and Article 12 of the regulation stipulates that: “Emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs, and emergency routes and exits requiring illumination, must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of failure of their normal lighting.” Any breaches of the Order are likely to result in the person responsible facing fines or imprisonment.

For too long, emergency lighting has been viewed as the poorer cousin to the main lighting scheme.

Necessary as a legal requirement but ultimately detracting from the general ambience, and interfering with the aesthetics of the design whilst incurring extra expense.

It needn’t be like this, however. In an era of discrete LED light sources together with slim-line control gear fixtures, architectural designs, and effective spacing tables, the emergency lighting luminaires, if used sympathetically, often end up complimenting the designed scheme whilst bringing comfort and reassurance to building operators. To compromise the emergency lighting is to compromise the health and safety at work act, the Fire Safety Order and ultimately, the individual.

Legal Imperative Since the introduction of the Fire Regulation Reform Order in 2005, the legal imperative for installing emergency lighting systems is the same as for the fire-alarm systems. Failure to comply with the correct installation of emergency lighting and to maintain the system could cost a business dearly. If fire authorities discover that the emergency lighting system is not fit for purpose or non-compliant, and that the system has not been properly maintained, the company could receive a hefty fine, often in the tens of thousands of pounds.

If neglect is proven in terms of the standard of the installation or maintenance of emergency lighting, and leads to injury or worse, the ‘responsible person’ could face a custodial sentence.

Yes, there is a financial impact, but what price can be attached to a human life? Unless we change our attitude to this safety critical system, and give it the respect that it deserves, all too familiar, tragic events associated with non-compliant commercial premises will continue to occur.

As a world leader in the design and manufacture of reliable, innovative electrical components, Mackwell’s emergency lighting products offer some of the best in quality and performance on the market today.

Offering an unsurpassed breadth of products such as high-performance luminaires, super-discrete integrated emergency products and architectural exit signs. Emergency lighting is a legal obligation that should never be compromised – safety by choice, not by chance.

Further information is available from Mackwell on 01922 742145 by email info@mackwell.com or by visiting the company’s website at www.mackwell.com

18 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

FIRE PROTECTION, SAFETY & SECURITY 09

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• 1” and 1 ¼” full bore test valve Call:• 01304 842 555 Email: sales@envirograf.com Easy access for servicing Enquiry No.208 www.mclink.co.uk/948-208

ORGANIC CLEANER

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 19

ppe

IBM wearable technology

safety partnerships announced IBM has announced a series of partnerships to develop wearable technology which will improve worker safety in hazardous environments.

The international technology giant is teaming up with Garmin Health, Guardhat, Mitsufuji and Smartcone to integrate its Internet of Things (IoT) systems into their products.

The IoT systems will monitor biometric and environmental data to help identify whether workers are at risk or not.

Real-time data then will be gathered from the wearable technology, along with smart devices and other sensors to help companies quickly respond to any potential problems.

“Worker safety is a critical priority for all enterprises and this collaboration is a major milestone in dramatically improving the way enterprises identify and eliminate hazards in the workplace,” said IBM’s Dr. Kareem Yusuf.

“We are thrilled to work with Garmin, Guardhat, Mitsufuji and SmartCone, and leverage their respective leadership and commitment to help improve safety in the workplace.”

Activity trackers Garman Health is teaming up with IBM to offer companies who use the IBM Maximo Worker Insights platform the chance to receive alerts from workers wearing Garmin activity trackers.

While the Japanse wearable tech company Mitsufuji has launched a new wearable shirt to track IoT sensor data from worker’s biometrics to help ensure safety and productivity in extreme environments.

The “hamon” shirt collects a wearer’s biometric data, including heart rate, body temperature and location, as well as environmental data such as humidity, temperature, noise and toxic gas levels, together with the use of IBM Maximo Worker Insights.

By connecting to the IBM Maximo Worker Insights solution, the data can be analyzed in real-time, with alerts and alarms on a smartphone to take a break before an injury can occur.

“IBM Maximo Worker Insights delivers the near real-time insight that our clients need to address the safety of their workers,” said Mitsufuji’s Chief Executive, Ayumu Mitera.

“We are excited to work with both IBM and our clients to develop the hamon solution further. We see IBM as a valuable member of our team, not only providing powerful Internet of Things technologies, but also helping us identify new market opportunities around the world.”

20 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PPE

How to ensure that your ppe equipment is always in tip-top condition AF International, leading brand manufacturer of effective cleaning solutions for the Office Products Industry now offers a complete range of cleaning solutions for the PPE sector. Utilising their experience and expertise from the last fifty years, the company has developed a range of high tech cleaning products specifically designed for the Personal Protective Equipment sector; the range is easily identifiable by the smart new gunmetal livery.

Establishing a regular cleaning regime for the maintenance of PPE equipment (such as safety glasses and hearing defenders) has never been more important, particularly as most PPE equipment is available for shared use in the workplace. Grease and grime can build up very quickly impairing the effectiveness of equipment. To combat this, AF International have developed three key products ideally suited for many industries such as construction, laboratories, education, warehouse protection and some sporting activities.

PPE equipment is a legal requirement in many industries and maintaining good working order is not only best practice, but often imperative. Storing the equipment in a safe dry place does not, unfortunately, prevent dust and grime build up; prevention via a regular cleaning regime really is the best solution.

Hearing defenders form part of mandatory safety equipment for many industries and shared usage is very common. AF’s EPC - Hearing Protection Cleaning Wipes are a re-sealable flat pack of 40 cleaning wipes, impregnated with a safe cleaning solution, designed to remove grease and dirt from ear defender equipment for daily maintenance.

Safety glasses are also a key element of mandatory protective equipment with dust and dirt causing visibility issues. Choosing the correct cleaning and maintenance solution can help users to experience the best results from their safety glasses. AF’s SGC Safety Glasses Cleaning Wipes are available in a handy tub of 60 wipes, impregnated with a smear-free cleaning solution. This invaluable cleaning solution is also available in a box of 50 individually packed sachets, excellent for communal areas to prompt the use of regular PPE cleaning and maintenance.

Paul Hardy, AF Brand Director commented “We truly believe that cleaning PPE correctly can keep hearing protection and safety glasses equipment in their best condition for all users. They are a critical importance within many workplaces and a regular and well maintained cleaning regime is vital.”

To find out about office equipment cleaning and the right products to use go to www.af-net.com.

News updates, competitions and giveaways can be found on our Facebook page, AF International, at www.facebook.com/AFInternational and on twitter @AFInternational.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 21

ppe

Head and Eye Protection become one with the new EVO®VISTA™ Helmet from JSP

The EVO®VISTA™ Helmet has not only been designed to meet a standard but to exceed it on many levels. It combines a super strong ABS shell with the choice of either a EVO®VISTAlens™ or a EVO®VISTAshield™ depending on the levels of protection and performance required.

The EVO®VISTAlens™ functions like a spectacle but offers increased levels of protection to EN 166B 2C-1.2 FT and the EVO®VISTAshield™ conforms to EN166 2C-1.2 with impact rating of grade AT. Both are optical class 1 and have antimist and anti-scratch coatings offering impact protection at extreme temperatures and UV protection.

The new technology of the fully adjustable pivot arms in the EVO®VISTA® Helmet allows the lens and shield to be deployed outwards and over prescription spectacles unlike similar systems that require helmet adjustment to fit.

The new EVO®VISTA™ Helmet is an innovative next generation feature rich helmet which incorporates a fully retractable optical class 1 faceshield or overspec within the helmet. JSP’s Research and Development team were inspired by feedback received from people who regularly have to wear head protection alongside eye protection. A common theme was not only the compatibility issue but also the amount of eyewear lost or damaged on site after issue.

JSP prioritise the needs and safety of the wearer and the safety cell concept of the EVO®VISTA™ Helmet with the dual shell technology demonstrates this commitment by providing additional protection. The safety cell prevents ricocheting debris travelling up the eyewear and being in contact with the scalp as well as preventing the faceshield or overspec from impacting the scalp should it be forced back on impact.

The EVO®VISTA™ Helmet is fully compatible with JSP respirators such as the Force™8 PressToCheck™ and the Sonis® helmet mounted ear defender range. The benefits of having eyewear integrated in the helmet which is fully retractable and protected from scratching when not in use, easily deployed when needed and fits anyone with prescription spectacles will save companies money, time and worry.

jspsafety.info/EVOVista

22 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Dust Hazards in the Workplace The fact that dust can be a hazard in the workplace is well known, but finding the most appropriate industrial vacuum cleaner to clean up and control it can be challenging. There are so many different standards and choices that make choosing the right solution difficult without some understanding of the potential pitfalls.

The BVC range of Industrial Vacuum Cleaners from Quirepace covers virtually every conceivable application, and our knowledgeable sales team can advise on the benefits and advantages of different solutions. For example, very fine dust can be difficult to recover - it will quickly blind many filters, so the filter design becomes as important as the onpaper “power” of a machine. Similarly, dust may be hazardous to different degrees. Mineral dust from cutting and grinding processes are generally medium hazard, chemical dusts are often carcinogenic and organic dusts (such as wood, flour, sugar) will most likely be potentially explosive requiring an ATEX-rated vacuum cleaner.

The BVC range of Industrial Vacuum Cleaners extends from medium duty units specifically rated for medium and high hazard dusts (M-Class, H-Class and Type H) to large, heavy duty units rated up to 15kW certified for ATEX environments.

The BVC Greenline range has been designed to offer a range of economically priced M-Class and H-Class vacuum cleaners that satisfy the HSE’s directives requiring the use of appropriately certified machines for general routine cleaning activities.

The BVC professional range is manufactured in the UK to proven designs for heavy duty use, and normally carries a 5 year parts warranty.

Many models in the BVC Professional range utilise our specialised “Clearflow” filter which, through constant natural agitation, helps to self-clean in use. Also,

most machines in the BVC professional range use brushless induction motors rated for continuous operation combined with BVC multistage vacuum pumps which deliver high performance from an extremely durable unit.

Efficient and effective cleaning also depends on using the correct tools and hoses; for example the most suitable hose diameter for the application will depend on the density of the product to be cleaned, and specialised tools may be required to aerate large quantities of material to help it to flow.

Effective control of dust hazards requires investigation of the potential risks resulting in informed choices being made to choose the best Industrial Vacuum cleaner solution.

Quirepace Ltd

www.quirepace.co.uk

24 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PPE

Tilsatec launch ultralightweight 18 gauge cut level D range Experience the ultimate in hand protection. An ultra-lightweight 18 gauge glove with incredible fingertip touch sensitivity and tactility.

Combined with level D cut resistance to EN388: 2016, this is the first in a new family designed specifically for this category.

No longer do you have to choose between protection and dexterity, the 58-41 range delivers the perfect balance of performance and comfort allowing the most delicate handling and assembly operations to be carried out with ease. With options of a robust polyurethane palm coating which handles light oil well or the foam flex nitrile palm coating which offers 360 degrees breathability and superb grip, the 58-41 is designed to suit industries such as aerospace, light metal fabrication, final fix and light assembly.

Tilsatec is a UK manufacturer with a long history in developing technical yarns for PPE, specialising in cut resistant hand and arm protection able to engineer high levels of performance and mechanical protection into the product range.

For more information on the 58-41 range visit: tilsatec.com/gb/products/58-4120-cut-d-nitrile-foamflex-glove

No longer do you have to choose between protection and dexterity

Experience the ultimate in hand protection of an ultra-lightweight 18 gauge glove made using Rhino Yarn™ technology to deliver incredible touch sensitivity and tactility, level D cut protection to EN388: 2016 and a grip palm coating to suit.

Tilsatec | +44 (0)1924 375742 | info@tilsatec.com | www.tilsatec.com TILSATEC LIMITED, Flanshaw Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 9ND, ENGLAND

26 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

ppE

WORKWEAR

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 27

PPE

Its Time to Stay Cool at Work – with Snickers Workwear Lightweight fabrics in the new Topwear range will compliment Snickers Workwear Stretch Garments perfectly this Summer.

The warmer weather will bring a need for professional craftsmen and women to be cool and dry - to maintain wellbeing and working efficiency on site.

That’s why Snickers’ new Topwear for the summer uses 37.5® fabric technology, which is really good at ‘wicking’ moisture away from the body and keeping you dry.

There’s stylish new Shirts, Hoodies and Sweatshirts in a range of styles and colours that are super-light and quick-drying with advanced ventilation to keep you cool in the heat.

They’ve all got superb, body-mapping designs for an amazing fit, outstanding functionality and long-lasting comfort – all day, every day.

Getting information on the Snickers’ Summer Workwear range is easy. You can call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788. You can check out the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

28 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Tools & Equpiment

Leading independent freight firm expands its fleet with Mitsubishi Simarco is an award-winning provider of international logistic and freight services. They deliver a wide range of tailored solutions for clients globally across all Worldwide trade routes.

With 20,000 square meters of transit warehousing in the UK, Simarco’s work can be intensive. Fifty-hour weeks for the trucks is not uncommon, meaning that materials handling operations consume a significant volume of fuel – making it an important cost centre.

One of their depots in Essex had moved over to Mitsubishi GRENDiA trucks five years ago for this very reason and the savings on fuel were significant, even after a short period.

Looking to expand further, the company spoke with their dealer, Bronze Mechanical Handling. An order picker and ten more of the LPG-powered GRENDiA were delivered, bringing the total number of machines across Simarco depots from Bronze up to 25.

Managing Director of Simarco, Trevor Scott explains: “We wanted more GRENDiA trucks because of their incredible performance. The most important thing our company looks for in forklifts is reliability and fuel efficiency, and Mitsubishi gives us that.”

The GRENDiA has very little environmental impact and incorporates technology to optimise air quality with 3-way catalytic convertors and a belly seal.

The machines also dramatically reduce carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions – as well as 95% of dangerous NOx gases.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 29

Tools & Equpiment Bronze Sales Director, Chris Slater said: “Simarco are an environmentally aware company. Therefore, the trucks were specified with that in mind, without compromising on quality, reliability or fuel saving – all of which the GRENDiA is great for.”

Moving forward, Simarco are looking to go further down the environmental route with its future fleet expansions.

“We aim to go completely electric with our trucks within the next 3–5 years. Bronze are assisting us with the transition and will continue to provide alternative models as we phase out LPG,” said Trevor Scott.

Having been highly impressed by the GRENDiA trucks, Simarco will be moving over to the EDiA range, continuing to benefit from the Mitsubishi quality and cutting-edge features they have become accustomed to.

Chris Slater remarked: “Over the years, we’ve seen Simarco grow as a business and now we’re assisting them in the movement towards electric trucks across their entire fleet.

“With our close working relationship, we’ve proven our trust with Simarco and we’re ready to react to any changes they need.”

Trevor Scott concludes: “The support from Bronze is always excellent, and they respond to any call-outs or questions very swiftly. I would have no hesitation in recommending them as a preferred supplier for materials handling equipment.”

To find out more about the award-winning Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks range, and services from Bronze Mechanical Handling and other local Mitsubishi dealers, call the Greenline 0845 371 3048, contact info@red-diamond.co.uk or visit www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk.

30 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Tools & Equpiment

How do you control who uses lift trucks on site?

It should go without saying that letting someone without proper authorization use the equipment is a basic safety no-no. With a real risk of serious injury or even death resulting from forklift accidents, there’s no good argument for putting an unsuitable or unqualified person in control.

If someone is likely to use a lift truck on your premises, you need to be sure of the following:

training!” then I’m afraid your going to have to think again. If it’s too much trouble to train them, it’s too much trouble to have them in the truck.

• Have they been trained to use equipment safely?

An important safety step you’ll need to take is to bring in a system to prevent anyone unauthorized from having the possibility of using the truck.

On a simple level this could be a system of tight control over who can access the keys to the trucks. However, there are more hi-tech systems such as PIN keypads or programmable fobs that can be brought in. These not only makes it far more difficult for unauthorized people to use a truck, but in the event of unauthorised use happening there will be an identifiable person whose code/fob/other was used by the

• Have they been trained to use the specific truck in question?

• Have they received all three stages of training: Basic, Specific, Familiarisation?

And if you find yourself thinking “But we have lots of temporary and agency workers. We don’t have time to put them through all those bits of

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 31

Tools & Equpiment

“If it’s too much trouble to train them, it’s too much trouble to have them in the truck.”

unauthorised person, which encourages individual employees to take greater responsibility for their own access credentials.

Any trucks that are accessible should never be left unattended, even briefly. When truck are not in use they should be safely parked and shut down — for example the gas supply should be turned off.

As manager, this workplace is your work place, and as such you are dutybound to ensure it is kept safe. If drivers are visiting it should be routine to confirm that they have received adequate training and have sufficient site knowledge to operate safely.

Implementing a system such as our Show Your Hand system across the site will also help visiting drivers if you brief them when they arrive. It’s another step to getting everyone on the same page.

Show your hand is a simple, operator-led idea with 3 easy-to-remember parts.

1. An operator sees a pedestrian coming too close and stops their truck 2. The operator shows their hand to signal for the pedestrian to stop 3. If the pedestrian does not stop, the operator turns off the ignition until a safe distance is achieved — reducing the risk of an accident.

The same preparation should be true if any of your operators find themselves needing to use lift trucks on someone else’s site. Make sure they know to familiarize themselves with the new site before operation. Don’t just rely on the manager at the other end to take care of everything.

You may feel this is a bit belt-and-braces, but with forklift safety it’s always better to be over-cautious than under-prepared.

www.mentortraining.co.uk

32 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

“We want construction workers to be aware of the risks associated with the activities they carry out on a daily basis; be conscious of the fact their work may create hazardous dust; and consider how this could affect their health, in some cases irreversibly. We want businesses and their workers to think of the job from start to finish and avoid creating dust or disturbing asbestos by working in different ways. We want to see construction firms encouraging their workers to firstly keep the dust down and wear the right mask and clothing.

“Ultimately, we want construction workers’ lungs to be protected from ill health, so they can go home healthy to their families and enjoy long careers in this important industry.”

For more information on the programme of inspections and to download our free #DustBuster selfie cards visit: https://bit.ly/2QWLYib and follow the campaign on Twitter at @H_S_E, on Facebook @hsegovuk and @SaferSites. You can also join the conversation at #WorkRight

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 33

In May 2019, revised definitions of four of the base units of the SI will come into force.

The redefinition of the “Kilogram” ensures a stable definition for the unit kilogram. However it also calls for explaining the background and benefits of this revision.

METTLER TOLEDO is helping users to understand it better with a free White Paper “Redefinition of 1 kg”.

Redefinition of the SI unit kilogram: Everything is Different, but Nothing Changes - METTLER TOLEDO’s new White Paper explains why.

In 1889, the first General Conference of Weights and Measures (GCPM) defined the unit kilogram based upon the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK), known as the “Paris kilogram”.

In November 2018, GCPM formally adopted the new definition and it will be practically implemented from May 2019.

The kilogram had been the last measurement unit of the International System of Units (SI) to be defined by a man-made physical body, namely an artefact. However, the problem with this definition is that this physical body, although intended to have a stable mass, actually changes its mass over time. Since this body itself is the reference for all mass measurements, this change cannot be determined by any measurement.

From World Metrology Day 2019 (May 20) onwards, the new definition will be in force and the kilogram will be defined in terms of a combination of fundamental constants: the Planck constant, h, which is stable and universally accessible. Until that point in time, h was measured directly linked to the IPK. However, from this date, the definition simply changes its direction. This also implies that the change of definition will not introduce any (step) change in the moment of switching. This major reexamination of the SI since its foundation in 1960 may be perceived as ground-

shaking to the weighing world. However, the goal of this redefinition is to ensure long-term stability and traceability of the unit for mass by making it independent of the material artefact, without affecting calibration or measurements.

METTLER TOLEDO delivers a new White Paper based on expert knowledge to help customers find out more about the reasons, methods involved and benefits of redefinition of 1 kilogram.

Stay ahead of the changes and learn more by downloading a free White Paper “Redefinition of 1 kg” now.

34 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Reaching new heights of protection from high-level damage Workplace safety innovators, A-SAFE, have re-engineered their Height Restrictor to bring even more customer benefits.

A-SAFE is committed to providing workplace protection and safety solutions that are designed to minimise risk, injury and damage.

The A-SAFE Height Restrictor offers guidance and physical protection; guarding against damage to vulnerable corners, columns, door openings and overhead assets such as sprinkler systems and ventilation pipes.

“The A-SAFE Height Restrictor has proved a popular product since launch. It can be used as a visual aid to direct traffic at the same time protecting surfaces and as flagging up any specific risks at height” reports A-SAFE’s Product Manager; adding “this latest development introduces a new element of modularity. For our global clients this means the product is quicker to ship and quicker to install; reducing delivery and set-up times”.

This modularity comes about thanks to two coupling mechanisms:

the iFlex coupling which is a key component of the A-SAFE flexible polymer barrier range, and unique to the company’s energy absorption system; and the new in-line coupling which enables the product to be adapted to the customers’ needs in terms of vertical height.

Being easier and quicker to assemble means there is even less disruption to day-to-day activity during the installation process.

According to A-SAFE’s Senior Design Engineer, “We are always looking at ways to improve the customer experience. Efficiency is a key driver and therefore anything we can do to minimise disruption to business as usual during installation is a key factor”.

Reducing disruption and minimising downtime is an important goal throughout the product’s lifetime.

Thanks to A-SAFE’s exclusive self-coloured polymer composition, high visibility is ensured and its

inbuilt strength and durability further supports the ultra-low maintenance solution. The unique composition of the A-SAFE polymer gives the Height Restrictor a unique capacity to flex, absorb impact and dissipate impact forces whilst retaining its integrity. This enables warehouse and factory managers to concentrate on the job at hand, safe in the knowledge the product is working to safeguard the business assets effectively year-on-year.

As the inventors of the world’s first industrial strength polymer safety barrier, A-SAFE’s aim across its entire range is to give each customer the tools to create a safer, best practice working environment. The Height Restrictor complements this, and integrates seamlessly into the A-SAFE range of workplace protection solutions; adding valuable protection to busy environments.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 35

Tools & Equpiment

WernerCo appoints APS as exclusive BoSS X Series distributor for UK and Ireland The UK’s leading manufacturer of access equipment, WernerCo, has announced the appointment of Access Platform Sales (APS) as its exclusive distribution partner for its BoSS® X-SERIES in the UK & Ireland.

Both companies have long enjoyed a successful relationship and to formalise its partnership it showcased the micro powered access platforms together at this year’s Executive Hire Show.

As part of the new distribution deal, both WernerCo and Cambridgeshirebased APS have launched a new advertising campaign featuring the X-SERIES, which is aimed at the hire and facilities management market.

Nick Platt, VP Ops EMEA & Managing Director of WernerCo UK, commented: “We recognise the valuable expertise that APS brings to the supply and servicing of the BoSS® X-SERIES in the UK and Ireland. By having an exclusive

relationship with APS, it allows our customers to benefit enabling us both to present a simpler solution.”

The BoSS® X-SERIES from WernerCo is a modern alternative to traditional ladders and steps, offering a high level of safety whilst remaining easy to transport and operate. The range of self-propelled micro-scissor lifts has the benefit of being compact in dimensions, simplicity in operation and offers working heights of up to 5.2m.

APS Managing Director, Steve Couling, added: “BoSS® is a great brand and the X-SERIES has proved extremely popular in the push-around sector. By bringing in WernerCo as an exclusive partner it

means we can focus on providing a better level of availability and commitment to this range, thereby giving our customers a better service.”

The BoSS® X-SERIES consists of the X3X, which has a maximum platform height of 3.2m and the BoSS® X3 at 2.55m. Both machines allow a safe working load of 240kg and are designed for use indoors in confined spaces as they fit through standard doorways and corridors as well as in passenger lifts.

For further information and sales enquiries contact 01480 891 251 or visit www.accessplatforms.co.uk.

36 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Tools & Equpiment

Why climb when you could walk?

Falls from a height stubbornly remain the number one cause of death and injury in the construction industry.

Despite a gradual improvement – history has shown us that not enough resources have been put into preventing these incidences – the biggest single factor affecting safety in the industry.

Gravity is not something that we think about as we go about our daily lives – even though it is an essential and ever present part of our lives…..and therein lies the rub.

We are unable to function without it but as soon as we elevate ourselves off the ground to carry out a task - it becomes a latent danger. The second that we make an error, it impartially, indifferently and ruthlessly takes its toll.

The risk is at its greatest wherever the working at height is temporary, that is why construction along with related activities are so severely affected from even a relatively low height fall which can produce serious or devastating injuries.

Faced with this – the only logical conclusion is that anything that can be done to reduce or eliminate this risk has to be worthwhile considering.

A ladder is an adequate device as a means of access to temporary works in many cases.

This is only valid however providing that it is suitably positioned, secured, the user has both hands unencumbered and is focussed on the task of using the ladder.

In reality - in a construction environment, these conditions are frequently not met and certainly can almost never be the case where an individual is working from the ladder.

Even when selected and positioned to be an access device, the frequent requirement to move materials and tools between levels means that the ladder has the potential to become highly dangerous.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 37

Tools & Equpiment European Work at Height regulations have already begun the push to move from ladders to stairways as a means of access to temporary works. Viewing ladders as “the last choice as a means of access or place of work” – means we can presumably expect any updating of the UK’s WAHR to

follow suit – and rightly so. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on working at height is due to issue their delayed report this month.

It will be interesting to see what their document – snappily entitled “Preventing serious injuries and fatalities while working at height” has to say on the subject.

Temporary access stairways allow operatives to walk up a staircase rather than climbing ladders. As well as improving health and safety standards and site working conditions, stairways deliver production, financial and technical benefits.

Made of corrosion resistant, structural quality aluminium extruded profiles for strength and reliability, the Alto Universal Scaffold Stair is a light enough to be handled conveniently, simple and versatile solution to the working scaffolders needs.

As a leader in the provision of safe solutions for working at height, Alto has introduced a portfolio of products which make safety at height easier and more comprehensively available.

Often a tower is the practical solution to safe working at height – the newly re-engineered version of the Alto Stair HD Tower with self-closing intermediate access gates allows options for “odd” heights and an internal balustrade at the working platform.

The Alto Universal scaffold stair unit is an all-aluminium solution for safe, compliant access covering a range of levels in scaffolding that can fit in with the specific site application without the need for a separate stair tower.

The internal balustrade gives convenient, safe and versatile access – with no inconvenient hatches or potentially risky ladders.

www.durable-uk.com