Health & Safety Update - March 2019

Health & Safety Update | March 2019

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

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Contents cover story

19

04

Industry News

10

Safety & Security

19

PPE

27

Tools & Equipment

SNICKERS

Snickers’ NEW Street-Smart Stretch Trousers For Maximum Mobility on site.

10

Have you thought about replacing your existing Timber Decking with Composite Decking? DeckSafe, leading suppliers in anti-slip products, explain the benefits that Composite Decking can offer.

14 Why saving a few extra pounds on emergency lighting can be dangerous

4 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Industry News

HSE issues 3D printer safety warning The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned that 3D printers can create harmful emissions, which could potentially endanger users, in a new report.

The HSE report, which examines emissions from polymer filament desktop 3D printers, found some plastic filament materials, when heated, were found to release chemicals “known to be hazardous to health”, such as styrene and isocyanates.

According to the report, these printers emit many particles that can potentially enter the airways and lungs.

During testing, the HSE found that placing the desktop 3D printer inside an enclosing hood with filtered ventilation reduced particle emission rates by 97%.

The report also recommends placing such printers in an enclosed-hood fitted with a suitable air filtration system and waiting for sufficient time for emissions to clear after printing before opening the hood.

In line with the recommendations from the HSE report, Kora 3D, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) style desktop 3D printers, has developed a universal safety cabinet to protect users.

The Kora SC-01 Safety Cabinet is designed to fit most standard sized FFF/FDM style desktop 3D printers.

It uses a specialist filter cartridge at the top of the cabinet to draw clean air from the area in which it is situated and to remove potentially harmful emissions.

The SC-01 is also, to date, the only FFF/FDM style 3D printer safety cabinet to have been officially tested by the HSE’s specialist Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL).

“It’s clear that FFF/FDM style 3D printing is a growing sector and one which offers fantastic benefits to business,” said Kora 3D Managing Director, Steve Burrows.

“However, our four-year study alongside the HSE has confirmed the importance of having a greater understanding of the equipment and the need to pay more attention to safety management.

“It was a huge commitment and a risky commercial decision to cease sales of our FFF/FDM style 3D printers. However, we strongly believed that although FFF/FDM style 3D printing delivers huge benefits, not enough had been done until now to investigate the potential risk to users and bystanders.

“At the heart of Kora 3D is a real passion for problem solving, so our talented team has worked closely with the HSE to develop a product which finally makes FFF/FDM style 3D printing safe. As the only company currently with an HSE/HSL tested product, we believe we are now in a very strong commercial position to ambitiously grow our business.”

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 5

Industry News

TC Facilities Management

score a clean sweep in quality audits Following a rigorous 2-day assessment, TC Facilities Management (TCFM) has successfully passed three external management systems audits including the new ISO 45001:2018 standard. This and the other new 2015 versions for ISO 9001 and the Environmental audit ISO 14001 were all passed without any nonconformities or observations, emphasising the commitment of TCFM’s senior management to these standards.

The audit took place over two consecutive days and included a comprehensive review of company policies and processes. This was to assess TCFM’s approach to the quality (ISO 9001) and safety (ISO 45001:2018) they provide to their customers and colleagues, as well as the measures they take to minimise TCFM’s environmental impact (ISO 14001) from their operations.

The new ISO 45001:2018 is believed could help, on a global level, save more lives, reduce accidents further and improve employee morale. Organisations have until March 2021 to make the transition to the new standard that came in 2018, replacing the BS OHAS 18001:2007. TCFM’s achievement in making the transition to the new standards is testament to the work of TCFM’s compliance manager Richard Grafham who championed the transition. It also emphasises the senior management’s commitment to these standards.

Brian Mold TCFM’s QHSE Manager said, “The successful transition to the new standard along with the renewal of the established standards clearly demonstrates TCFM’s commitment to quality and safety in all that we do and is a tremendous reassurance to our customers that TCFM remains a business you can trust and a huge accolade to all our staff and their hard work.”

6 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Industry news

A fifth of UK doctors bullied at work last year, BMA survey finds One in five doctors has been bullied or harassed at work in the past year, according to a report by the British Medical Association (BMA).

The report is based on survey responses from 7,887 doctors of all grades in the UK (including medical students). It shows that two in five (39%) believed there was a “problem” with bullying, harassment or undermining in their workplace. Of this group, 10% said they had often experienced such behaviour.

Respondents cited pressure from heavy workloads as the most common cause of bullying, followed by a “top-down command and control leadership” and victims and witnesses being too afraid to speak out. They also identified inadequate people management training for managers and supervisors as another factor.

Anthea Mowat, chair of the BMA’s representative body, said: “Bullying in medicine can bring to mind images of a junior doctor being shouted at by a senior, or a surgeon angrily throwing instruments across the room. But the experiences we have heard […] show it can affect all kinds of doctor and medical student.”

Responding to BMA’s report, Paul Wallace, director of employment relations and reward at government agency NHS Employers, said: “It is disheartening to see that so many UK doctors suffer from bullying, undermining and harassment.

This kind of behaviour in the NHS or any workplace is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to work with employers to make sure doctors feel supported to speak up, if they or their colleagues face mistreatment at work. Our hardworking colleagues do great work under extreme pressure, and it is understandable that it may affect their mood, but it is not fair that this pressure should be compounded by bad behaviour. It is paramount that all NHS organisations, national and local, address and reduce bullying and create a supportive environment for doctors and all staff. We are glad to see the BMA is offering solutions in this report.”

One consultant who took part in the survey said: “Among senior doctors, the culture is still very much that you ‘suck it up’. I am middle-aged, white, highly successful – not someone who many would consider to be ‘at risk’. But I’ve suffered much distress.”

A former trainee general practitioner said: “I struggled to function. [I] felt physically sick, emotionally broken [and] I used to cry on the way to work. [I] prayed that a truck would flatten my car.”

Mental health support to be offered to NHS staff around the clock National Health Service (NHS) workers could be offered 24-hour mental health support under government plans to reduce sickness absence rates and improve staff performance and retention.

The dedicated service means doctors, nurses and other frontline staff would be able to access confidential advice and support 24 hours a day.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) outlined the new plans yesterday (20 February), which also include fast-tracked mental health referrals for NHS employees if requested as a priority from either a GP or an occupational health clinician.

Other initiatives are peer group support or a more formal psychological assessment for frontline staff who may have witnessed a serious incident.

Rest spaces with shower facilities and refreshments will be created for staff and trainees during and after their shifts.

The government said it will also consider creating the role of board-level “Workforce Wellbeing Guardians” in every NHS organisation to champion mental health and wellbeing support for staff.

The latest NHS staff survey showed that less than a third of staff felt their organisation took positive action towards improving their health and wellbeing. Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said: “Working under pressure, NHS

staff put themselves in some of the most challenging situations imaginable as part of the unwavering commitment to caring for us all. So they deserve unwavering support from us all. The mental and physical wellbeing of the people who work in our health service must be our utmost priority.”

He said there was a need to create “the right culture of support” and “give everyone somewhere to turn in the toughest times”.

The measures are based on recommendations made by Health Education England (HEE) in its new report on the mental health and wellbeing of NHS staff and learners. The report was commissioned last year by the DHSC. Professor Ian Cumming, chief executive of HEE, said: “I am committed to making sure that the commission takes full advantage of this opportunity to make a real difference to the NHS health and care workforce and to those studying to become our future healthcare staff.

“It is vital that staff feel they are supported and that employers have the right procedures in place to offer all the help that may be needed. The mental wellbeing of staff contributes positively to patient care so we must get it right.”

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 7

Industry News

MPs call for data, reporting and inquiries to combat work at height risk Saving lives among those who work at height needs more in-depth RIDDOR reporting alongside anonymised data on falls overseen by a new independent body, according to a report by a group of MPs and members of the House of Lords.

The report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Working at Height, called Staying alive: Preventing serious injury and fatalities while working at height, also proposes Scottish-style fatal accident inquiries following any workplace fatality.

The APPG, which consists of 10 cross-party MPs and two members of the House of Lords, was set up to address the fact that, according to HSE data, 18% of those who died at work did so as a result of a fall from height.

The APPG, chaired by Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewliss, is now calling for a further consultation and a “major review” of work at height culture, including how to engage with difficult to reach sectors, the suitability of financial penalties, and the role of digital technologies in improving safety.

Its leading recommendation is the re-introduction of more detailed RIDDOR reporting, which it says became a casualty of the 2011 Löfstedt report and the resulting RIDDOR amendments in 2013.

In additional to statutory RIDDOR reporting, it proposes the creation of a new independent body to which organisations would submit confidential but detailed reports on near misses and workplace accidents that do not require a RIDDOR report.

problems for the engineering and construction communities.

The data collected by the new body would be “shared with government and industry to inform health and safety policy”.

In a third recommendation, it looks to Scotland, where fatal accident inquiries follow any death in the workplace, as well as deaths in custody. The outcomes are publicly available and searchable online.

The report refers to similar confidential reporting bodies, such as CROSS, Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety, which documents anonymised cases of structural

The APPG is calling for an equivalent system to be introduced in the rest of the UK, as a means to ensure that employers are held to account for fall fatalities.

Starkstrom has designed the Isolated Power Supplies to comply with the International and UK Standards for areas that are classified as either “Group 2” or “Clinical Category 4 or 5” locations.

The Starkstrom Automatic Transfer System has now been certified Sil 2, to give even greater peace of mind. Starkstrom will continue to strive to be seen as leaders in our field of expertise. To find out how our solutions can help your hospital please find our contact details below.

Tel: +44(0) 20 8868 3732 info@starkstrom.com Quote ref: 00022018

Starkstrom The Charter Building Charter Place Uxbridge UB8 1JG

8 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

GEZE Sponsors Hilton Conference A specific theme was GEZE provided a focused glimpse into the future as examined on each of the a sponsor at this year’s Hilton EMEA Engineering Conference 2019, held at the Hilton London Metropole. three days under the tiles: maximise, optimise and energise.

‘Maximise’ focused on creativity, effectiveness and process improvement – finding flexible solutions for regeneration and renewal. Day two saw attendees ‘Optimise’ the chance to engage on considerations around improving quality of products and services including the efficiency and effectiveness for ‘on demand’ maintenance and smart buildings.

The final day looked at opportunities to “Energise” with discussions on sustainability, dynamic analytics, real time data, energy, water and waste management which are key factors to Hilton’s 2030 goals.

“Hello Future” was the theme of the event which was organised by the Hilton Operations and New Openings team.

It was the perfect platform for GEZE, which is already a Hilton key supplier partner, with its focus on technology, smart buildings and the ‘internet of things’, as well as supporting initiatives for energy management, sustainable solutions and fire and safety measures.

GEZE’s extensive product range incorporates solutions that can be integrated into other technologies for improved building management, natural ventilation and heat and smoke extraction.

In addition to its sponsorship, GEZE also exhibited within the ‘marketplace’, where attendees could speak to GEZE colleagues about their specific hotel requirements and arrange follow up visits.

GEZE head of global account management Karen Sum said: “This event was an ideal opportunity to further understand the challenges faced by the Hilton Hotels and Resorts teams, their business partners and franchisees. It also provided a great forum for suitable discussions to take place on solutions for further efficiency, effectiveness and future building requirements.”

For more information about GEZEUK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual building solutions call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk

10 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Safety & Security

Timber Decking vs.

Have you thought about replacing your existing Timber Decking with Composite Decking? DeckSafe, leading suppliers in anti-slip products, explain the benefits that Composite Decking can offer.

Spring seems to officially – finally! - be upon us in the UK! So it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your outside spaces, whether this be your own back garden, an office outside space, or even a restaurant or beer garden.

Today we’re weighing up the benefits of GRP Decking vs. traditional Timber Decking.

Durability Composite Decking is an incredible durable product, benefiting from it’s composite nature it provides the hardwearing nature of plastic and glass, whilst also being mould and algae resistant.

Low Maintenance If you have timber decking, you’ll be all too familiar with the upkeep it requires! At least once a year, you’ll need to jet wash the timber decking to ensure any slime or mould is removed, making the surface slip-free once more. However, due to it’s resistant nature, Composite Decking requires very little to no maintenance!

Anti-Slip Our Composite Decking is a safe alternative to timber decking, as it provides an anti-slip finish underfoot – meaning no more nasty slips if you’re unlucky enough to be caught in a Spring shower!

Cost-Effective Over time, Composite Decking works out as a much more cost-effective option in direct comparison to Timber Decking. Taking into account the upkeep of timber decking, including staining the wood, and regularly stripping or jet-washing the surface, Composite Decking comes with very little upkeep costs.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 11

Safety & Security

Composite Decking If you’re considering replacing your existing Timber Decking with Composite Decking in time to enjoy the Summer, find out more here.

If you’re not quite ready to replace your decking yet, but would like a simple anti-slip solution, why not try our decking strips here?

Properties Quality-assured Our Decking Strips are manufactured in accordance with the ISO 9001-accredited Quality Management System. The material is high-grade with superb structural integrity and comes with a suggested lifespan of 25+ years, which is assumed, not guaranteed, subject to installation, maintenance, environmental, loading and traffic conditions.

Fire-resistant All our products contain a fire-resistant additive; they have a Euro Class 1 Fire Rating (BS EN ISO 9239-1 and BS EN ISO 11925-2). This product’s performance is equivalent to ASTM E84 Class 1 and BS 476 Part 7, Class 2 flame spread and, in effect, gives a 25-minute burn time.

Slip-resistant

Decking Strips Introducing Deck Safe’s Convex Decking Strips. As part of our range of QuartzGrip® anti-slip safety solutions, our decking strips are the perfect quick-fix solution to provide a safe underfoot anti-slip surface.

• • • • • •

Made from a hard-wearing fibreglass Designed to easily be fixed to timber decking Simply glue and screw your decking strips in place Adds grip underfoot for an added layer of safety Chamfered edges ensure a low-profile fit Fire retardant and corrosion and chemical resistant

Our Decking Strips are specially designed with an integral angular, quartz-gritted surface for slip resistance. This product has been tested in accordance with BS 7976-2 and provides ‘exceptional’ resistance.

Chemical-resistant GRP (fibreglass) products are resistant to a a range of chemicals across a vast temperature spectrum. We have chemical resistance charts available on request. We can also manufacture this product from different resin systems to achieve specific chemical resistant properties to suit your

requirements.

www.decksafe.co.uk

12 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Safety & Security Industry-leading fire panels from global systems leader, Advanced, have been installed in one of India’s premier shopping destinations in Mumbai.

Advanced Selected to Protect Premier Shopping Destination in Mumbai Inorbit has emerged as one of Mumbai’s popular shopping destinations with its diverse and exceptional offerings in food, fashion and entertainment. Over the last 15 years of being in business, the mall has gained a huge fan following because of the unique shopping experience one can enjoy here.

The Axis EN system, which has recently received globally recognised FM APPROVED accreditation, was installed by Advanced Partners, Abhay Fire and Security Engineers, who were tasked with replacing the entire system including full re-configuration, programming and commissioning.

The installation, covering the entire shopping mall including all public areas and retail units, is comprised of two networked 8-loop panels linked to the building management system and exhaust and pressurisation fans for the building’s smoke control function.

Hiren M. Shah, Proprietor at Abhay Fire and Security Engineers, said: “Advanced are our first choice of panel every time, combining innovation, intuitive operation and

reliability. The Axis EN system was selected thanks to its autolearn feature and straight-forward programming of multiple zones and outputs according to the requirements of each retail unit.”

Available for European, Middle East and South East Asian markets, Axis EN is Advanced’s highest performance analogue panel range, combining 1-8 loop, fire panels configurable up to 200 panel networks with a complete range of wired and wireless loop devices and powerful peripherals. Axis EN, which is part of Advanced’s Axis range of systems, holds global approvals, including EN54, UL864 and AS1670.

It is designed to go anywhere where high quality, reliable and easy to use fire detection and control is required.

Bharat Sharma, Division General Manager for Fire Safety Solutions in India, said: “Due to their complexity, great consideration must go into the fire protection for retail developments, with the Inorbit Mall being no different. Advanced is renowned for making things easy, even on more complex installations, and its products enjoy a reputation for real quality and performance

making them the fire systems of choice.”

Advanced, owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC, have a long history of protecting some of the most high-profile retail developments around the globe including Westfield Shopping Centre, Sydney and One New Change, London.

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease of use of its products sees Advanced specified in locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large, multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems.

Call 0800 408 4330 or visit www.jacksons-security.co.uk

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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• Water based - Does not leach • Allows wood to breathe naturally • Internal and External application • Colourless - Odourless • EN 13501 - 1 • Non Toxic - No Solvents • BS 476 part 6 & BS 476 part 7 • Euro-class B-s1-d0 and C-s1-d0 • BM TRADA ISO 9001 Certificate •Meet’s the highest EU standards

EXTERIOR WOOD PROTECTION

FOR MORE ATTRACTIVE AND DURABLE WOOD

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DIRT & WATER REPELLENT

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world’s chairs.

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co.uk 1351

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Enquiry No.207 www.mclink.co.uk/948-207

Envirograf

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T: +44 (0)1825 764737 E: info@appeng.co.uk FIRE PROTECTION COATINGS www.appeng.co.uk Protecting the irreplaceable

Applications Engineering Ltd, 16 Horsted Square, Bellbrook Industrial Estate, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1QG Protected timber

Unprotected timber

Dual port Fire Sprinkler ValVe Set • Dual ports that enable the flow switch to be mounted on either side.

• Available with optional CPVC mating sockets.

PROTECT YOUR TIMBER SUBSTRATES • 100% pressure tested.

• 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

These NEW slim-fit stretch trousers deliver extreme working comfort.

Hi-tech fabrics and body-mapping designs in the NEW FlexiWork SoftShell Trousers from Snickers Workwear ensure maximum working mobility wherever you are.

The brand new 4-way stretch comfort fabrics integrated into these Work Trousers deliver enhanced freedom of movement as well as improved ventilation and overall comfort.

With great fit and superb value for money, they also have a slimmer tailored fit for better all-round looks and protection against snagging, plus Armortex Kevlar reinforced stretch fabricin the KneeGuard Pro System for greater flexibility, comfort and durability.

So check out these and the other Stretch Garments from Snickers Workwear – the optimal choice for craftsmen and women who need to get every job done comfortably on site.

Snickers’ NEW Street-Smart Stretch Trousers For Maximum Mobility on Site.

Getting information on the Snickers’ new Comfort garments is easy. You can call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

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

Experts in Textile Solutions For more than 85 years, workwear from F. Engel™ has been selected by customers from all over Europe as the first choice for all-round protection and maximum comfort no matter what a work situation may demand.

Founded in 1927 by Carl J. Engel Senior and now 4th generation family-owned, the company has 850 employees based at its Headquarters in Norgesvej, Denmark and 2 factories in Lithuania. Since it first began, with the importing of denim from the U.S. as a hard wearing fabric, the company’s aims have always been the same – to provide superior quality, value for money workwear designed for a perfect, flexible fit and to give long lasting, reliable service.

The original fabric was called Bull Denim which was made from 100% cotton. Over the years the materials and manufacturing processes have been continually developed to incorporate many new practical and beneficial design details with the versatility of the fabric improved by adding the yarn combination of polyester and cotton.

New colours have been introduced and many businesses are now recognized by the specific colour combination and design of their Engel corporate workwear where not only is it valued for its practical uses but also as a significant part of a company’s professional statement.

Development is an ongoing process as new smart colour combinations and materials are continuously created and tested, with a constant emphasis on product quality, innovation, flexibility and environmental awareness.

The company has an impressive seven collections (along with a large range of accessories), all of which are ‘tailor-made’ for a wide range of industries including manufacturing, offshore, building & construction and the commercial sector. Each item of clothing is designed to be a perfect, comfortable fit whilst giving maximum freedom of movement and reliability. As an example, one of the main names under the F. Engel banner is ‘Combat’; geared to cope with any season and designed for action, this durable and stylish, uni-coloured collection has contrasting and reflective piping for greater visibility on jackets and trousers, many of which are made from 100% cotton.

Almost all the trousers in the range feature such useful detail as ruler-pockets, hammer straps and mobile phone pockets, whilst the leg-length can be extended an extra 4-6cm if required. Other names to look out for, each with their own unique benefits, include ‘Cargo’, ‘Galaxy’ and ‘Work Zone’ and the ‘Light’ range for warmer weather.

All Engel garments are available from The Workwear Trade Centre, Milton Keynes; Telephone: 01908 561569; email: sales@wtc-workwear.co.uk and Anchor Safety, Ipswich; Telephone: 0800 328 5028; email: sales@anchorsafety.co.uk For more information visit: www.fe.dk/en/ email: Mark McBrayne at mmc@f-engel.com or telephone: +44 (0) 7933 150197

22 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PPE

Dr. Martens combines durability, flexibility and comfort for new footwear collection Iconic footwear brand Dr. Martens is continuing to spearhead innovation throughout the work footwear category, with the launch of its Cubeflex boot, its most flexible welted product ever.

A unique outsole fuses Dr. Martens welted construction with lightweight cushioning materials to deliver multi-directional flex, slip resistance and enhanced comfort.

and are likely to be lifting heavy materials as part of their job. Wearing the correct and comfortable footwear is especially important in order to prevent serious injury.”

In a survey conducted of 560 professionals working within the trade industry by On The Tools and Dr. Martens, 92.9% said that comfort was their main priority. Foot Fatigue is typically caused by an imbalance in the footwear or if the boots are too toe-heavy, potentially leading to sore shins, shin splints and other muscle fatigue.

The Britton 7-tie Gibson-cut boot combines durability and flexibility for a dynamic work style that has comfort at its core. Its new engineered Cubeflex sole provides multi-directional flex to move with the foot for enhanced comfort and support on unstable ground, while Dr. Martens resilient welted construction ensures the footwear is tough and built to last. The SoftWair™ sock liner combined with multi-density PU and EVA midsole components achieve superior levels of user comfort featuring increased arch support, improved breathability and supportive heel cup.

Jon Marchant, Global Category Director at Dr. Martens said: “Workers today demand greater comfort, reliability and durability without sacrificing the necessary levels of protection. In manual trade, workers spend much of their time on their feet

“I am really excited about the general future of the industry and what it means for Dr. Martens.

Improving standards and regulations will drive consumers towards quality, reputable brands. As a brand we will continue to strive for innovative, product solutions with a focus on comfort,” concluded Jon.

For more information regarding Dr. Martens, please visit: www.drmartens.com

EVERYDAY FACE-FIT CHECK PressToCheck™ is the easiest way to face-fit check the seal of your respirator, every time you put it on!

Fit it - Press it - Check it

KM 586271 BS EN 140 BS EN 143

The BSI Kitemark™ is the UK’s highest mark of Quality - validating continuous batch test quality management.

KM 22786

ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems (QMS) helps ensure customers get consistent, quality products & services.

WINNER JSP PressToCheck™ is a proud BSIF Innovations Award Winner.

JSP staff are BSIF Fit2Fit accredited to carry out fit checking and qualitative fit testing including PressToCheck™.

JSP maintain, monitor, sample test, and keep test records of products they sell under a robust and audited QMS.

JSP safety equipment meets the appropriate standards, fully complies with the PPE Regulations and is CE marked.

www.jspsafety.com uksales@jsp.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1993 826050

24 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Galvanizing giants’ lead-free switch is first for industry One of the world’s leading corrosion protection companies has completed a unique conversion to lead-free galvanizing.

Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd made the bold decision to eliminate lead from its process at all 14 of its plants across the UK 10 years ago.

The completion of the process means the company is thought to be the first of its type in the country to become ‘lead-free’.

Small amounts of lead have been used to facilitate the galvanizing process for decades and it continues to be widely used today.

The challenge for Wedge Group Galvanizing was to develop the metallurgy and overcome technical challenges while maintaining and improving on the quality of the finish expected by its customer base.

Chris Woolridge, Managing Director of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, said: “The amount of lead used in a traditional galvanizing process is very small but we wanted to remove it from our processes completely and made a firm commitment to do that 10 years ago.

“We have put a significant amount of time and effort into perfecting a

methodology that produces even better results than before.

“The fact we believe we are the first galvanizing company in the UK to run a lead-free operation is a fantastic achievement.”

The initiative was made particularly timely by the 2018 reclassification of lead massive contained in REACH (an EU regulation for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals).

David Nobes, Technical Services Director at Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, said: “The reclassification could turn into a major headache for some of our customers, who might have to meet exceptionally tight tolerances or demonstrate exacting procedures. Some might even review the use of any process that involves lead as a result.

“Because of the commitment we made 10 years ago our process doesn’t use lead at all and therefore removes any potential issues. Despite the challenges we’ve been running a lead-free

galvanizing process in our plants for some time and we are very pleased with the results.

“It takes a very long time for background levels of lead to be removed from existing baths, but levels are monitored regularly and the fact we now achieve indicative levels of less than 50 parts per million (or 0.005%) within the bath melt means we can proudly claim our process is lead-free.” www.wedge-galv.co.uk

Redefining

performance comfort and style uvex is an internationally renowned manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) recognised worldwide for its comprehensive portfolio of products which provide outstanding protection; comfort and most importantly, a high degree of wearer acceptance.

All uvex products are totally uncompromising where quality and dependability are concerned. The uvex range comprises of:

Safety Eyewear

Hand Protection

Safety Footwear

Hearing Protection

Respiratory Protection

uvex-safety.co.uk

26 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

ANPR HELPS TO SECURE NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE REGIONAL HQ As part of a new centrally controlled vehicle security system, The North West Ambulance Service has recently updated the security of its premises at its Lancashire regional headquarters using Nortech’s stainless steel bollards that house Nedap ANPR cameras.

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust operates around 1,000 vehicles to provide 1.1 million emergency and non-emergency patient journeys. It was established in 2006 by the merger of ambulance trusts from Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire. The Lancashire regional HQ is based near Broughton in Preston.

As vehicles approach the new barriers, the ANPR reads the number plates and converts each valid number plate into a Wiegand ID string, which it sends to the access control panel in the same way as a standard card reader. The Wiegand number can then be checked centrally for access rights so that vehicle access can be granted or denied accordingly.

The trust needed to secure the perimeters of their premises at the Lancashire regional HQ and appointed Expert Security UK, Frank Whittle Partnerships and W. Monks Ltd to design and install the new centrally controlled vehicle security system.

Danny Scholfield, Sales Director at Expert Security UK, commented, “We are all delighted with the final result. The system is very fast and ticks all the boxes for us. As we are already using the Net2 system here at the HQ, it is great to see the ANPR integrating into the system without complication. The barrier system is a great security measure for us and has prevented unauthorised parking.”

Expert Security UK approached Nortech in order to integrate the Nedap Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) into the system and new automatic barriers were installed to secure the perimeter and prevent unauthorised vehicles.

Nortech supplied the ANPR camera housed in a robust stainless steel bollard to protect the camera from any potential vehicle knocks.

The benefits of the Nortech ANPR system is that it integrates with most access control software, avoids the need for manned gates or vehicle tags, allows automatic vehicle identification at between three and six metres and prevents

unauthorised vehicle access.

Nortech has supplied products and solutions to the security industry for over 25 years as an independent British company.

The company uses extensive experience and expertise to create new security products to fit their clients’ needs and designs everything with the customer in mind.

Further information is available from Nortech on 01633 485533 or by emailing sales@nortechcontrol.com or by visiting the company’s website at www.nortechcontrol.com Nortech is supported by Vantage PR

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 27

Tools & Equpiment

Automation:

a threat to safety?

From driverless cars to machines that read x-rays, automation is quickly improving our lives and our safety. While it offers a fantastic future, we must be mindful of the problems of the present, as Peter Harvey MBE, Chief Executive of the Fork Lift Truck Association explains.

With technology moving at lightning speed, we’re seeing developments now, which according to some academics were pure theory just a few years ago.

In Japan, AI robots are helping to enhance care for the elderly and infirm, while, in Brazil, postmen are using drones to deliver parcels to remote mountainous villages.

Of course, we’re seeing automation transform businesses, here, too. Industry 4.0 has arrived and it’s building up momentum.

Skillshift: Automation and the Future of the Work, a report released by the McKinsey Global Institute in 2018, suggests: “Over the next 10 to 15 years, the adoption of automation and AI-technologies will transform the workplace as people increasingly interact with ever-smarter machines.

“These technologies, and that human-machine interaction will bring numerous benefits in the form of higher productivity, GDP growth, improved corporate performance, and new prosperity…”

In practical terms, it means a reduction in wage bills, slashes energy consumption and optimises space utilisation.

Its biggest benefit, however, is how it will transform safety. In recent years, great strides have been made across a wide range of industries through improved equipment, practice and awareness.

Despite this, the number of life-changing accidents each year remains too high, with employers reported a staggering 71,062 employee non-fatal injuries in 2017/18 under RIDDOR. Contrary to popular belief, most of these accidents are not caused by a failure of technology, but of humans. Automated systems are designed to get it ‘right’ every time. And they nearly almost always do.

Last year, there was a case at Uber involving a driverless car colliding with a pedestrian during supervised road tests. Although there was a fault in the system, which can be expected, the car’s human driver was too distracted to identify it quickly enough.

You see, we rely on human behaviour to get the job done, but, unlike computers, they get things wrong from time to time. We get distracted. We get tired.

After all, we are human. But, this does mean that the biggest threat to your business is your workforce.

28 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Tools & Equpiment We may have Europe’s most stringent health and safety legislation, but the number of serious injuries caused by lift trucks in the UK is on the rise. Every day, five workers in the UK are hospitalised as a result of lift truck accidents, with devastating results for those involved.

These are not simple bumps or scrapes.

The characteristic strength of lift trucks, which is valued by industry, means that those involved suffer dislocations, complex fractures, amputations and worse. Operators do get injured in accidents, but the majority (57 per cent) of those affected are workers on foot, such as warehouse operatives.

In an ideal world, humans and lift trucks would never interact.

Installing physical barriers and designating walkways can be very effective at keeping your pedestrians safe on site. However, this is not always practical to implement at older sites.

But even where it is, the policies surrounding their use isn’t being policed.

Advances in technology may eventually remove humans from the equation. However, we have not achieved that Utopian vision and may not for some time. For most businesses, the practicalities of automating operations demand too big an investment of time and money to be feasible.

In the fork lift truck industry, we are seeing more and more technology reach the marketplace which is designed to enhance operations for those operating conventionally. While sensors, anti-collision systems and cameras can really help safety, their benefits are far outweighed by those of insisting on good, safe practice. It’s crucial that your employees don’t become too reliant on these aids: it could come at the expense of their own skills and knowledge.

Accidents are an inevitable consequence of our reliance on human behaviour and they come in at a cost far beyond pain and suffering. Fines and damages alone can run into seven figures.

There’s also a genuine risk of prosecution for businesses and the individuals accountable for them. Where serious negligence occurs, these individuals may face prison sentences.

Most incidents, however, never result in a court appearance, let alone time behind bars. I’m referring to those everyday knocks, bumps and scrapes which are the tell-tale signs of bad practice.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 29

Tools & Equpiment

Racking, quite literally, takes one of the biggest hits.

Working in confined spaces with other vehicles and colleagues means that racking – quite literally – takes a big hit. Indeed, I’m aware of one leading UK retailer who readily accepts a multi-million pound annual bill for repair and replacement alone.

But that’s just the start. When racking takes a knock, chances are stock is being affected, too. Dropping a pallet, for example, can set you back several thousand and that’s before you account for time and money spent cleaning up, restocking and recycling.

Then there’s the cost to the truck itself. Damaging a forklift can be an expensive habit. Replacing a seat can cost several hundred pounds, but safety-critical components, such as overhead guards, can cost thousands to fix.

Over the length of a typical contract (around five years), your truck’s repair bills can increase your total rental costs by as much as five per cent. Across a large fleet, this could mean a bill for as much as £100,000.

Spills and collisions may seem minor as no one was hurt, but collectively they cost British industry billions each year.

While automation offers a more cost-efficient tomorrow for business, it’s not a practical or affordable option for SMEs, the group most at risk of accidents. For now, they must continue running small fleets in real-world situations.

However, all is not lost as making significant and lasting change is possible through commitment and a far smaller investment. We regularly hear of managers who overcome this clearly untenable situation by taking ownership for safety on site and influencing company culture and behaviour throughout an organisation, from the boardroom to the shop floor.

After all, it is down to each and every one of us to look ourselves in the mirror this morning and ask “How will I make a difference today?”

The Fork Lift Truck Association is the UK’s independent authority on fork lift trucks. To find out more, visit www.fork-truck.org.uk or call 01635 277577.

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