Health & Safety Update | SEPTEMBER 2020
Industry News - Safety & Security - PPE - Tools & Equipment
Born in Sheffield, the home of stainless steel and a city synonymous with hard work and quality - the Worktough collection is no exception. Incorporating the latest technologies with striking designs, Worktough Safety Footwear and Workwear provides exceptional value and will not let you down.
Everyone needs to be comfortable in their workwear while not feeling like they’ve had to pay a fortune for it! Worktough Safety Footwear and Workwear gives you the ultimate styling with all day comfort and protection. We’re all experiencing some uncharted waters. Some of us have been working through this pandemic and others are heading back to work after a long break. We are all doing the very best we can and as we head into the Autumn/Winter season of 2020 we are wondering where the year has gone and what is coming next! The Worktough range brings quality and value for money with its new Safety Footwear and Workwear Styles.
SHOP THE WORKWEAR COLLECTION www.worktough.co.uk
HEAVYWEIGHT SOFTSHELL £39.95 The Worktough Heavyweight Softshell Jacket is warm and durable. With Cordura™ paneling this jacket is built to last. A fleece lining makes this jacket warm and comfortable to wear. Reflective piping and orange trims contribute to the Worktough style. A detachable hood gives you the option to wear this jacket in two different ways.
ZIP THRU HOODY £21.50 The Worktough Zip Thru Hoody is the ultimate workwear hoody. It is warm and durable with Cordura™ paneling this hoody is built to last. Brushed fabric inside this hoody is soft and comfortable to wear. A zipped security pocket is convenient for valuables in addition to two front pockets.
PIQUE POLO SHIRT £6.50 The Worktough Pique Polo Shirt has a regular fit with pen loops on the left arm. Orange trims and detailing contribute to the Worktough style. This polo shirt is ideal for uniform and company profiling.
WORK JOGGER £21.00 The Worktough Work Jogger offers you ultimate comfort with its soft feel brushed back sweat material inside. Zip security pocket is ideal for storing valuables. Cordura™ paneling on the knees make this style as durable as it is comfortable.
GOOD QUALITY GOOD PRICES CORE TROUSER £23.95 The Worktough Core Work Trouser offers you all day comfort with its stretch twill fabrication. Multiple pockets are ideal for storage. Reflective piping and orange trims contribute to the Worktough style. Reinforced paneling gives durability to the knees. HOLSTER WORK TROUSER £33.95 The Worktough Holster Work Trouser offers you all day comfort with its stretch twill fabrication. Multiple pockets are ideal for storage including a waterproof lined document pocket on the right leg. Cordura™ reinforcements make this style durable and top loading kneepad pockets allow for knee protection. 2 WAY STRETCH
Find us online:
SHOP THE SAFETY FOOTWEAR COLLECTION
www.worktough.co.uk
www.worktough.co.uk
BROWN SAFETY RIGGER BOOT £44.95 Ensuring your safety when working on-site should be your number one priority. The brown Worktough safety rigger boots feature a steel toecap and midsole with additional padding and reinforced heel support, meaning you are sure to stay safe and comfortable all day long. Regardless of where your working day takes you, keep safe with the heat and slip resistant outsole for added protection. EN ISO 20345:2011 S1P HRO SRC
GRAFT METAL FREE BLACK £39.95 SAFETY BOOT Rugged, chunky and robust! The Worktough Graft ankle boot is packed with protection! With its water resistant upper, chunky heat & slip resistant outsole and external scuff protection, it really is ready for your working day. Orange trims and detailing contribute to the Worktough style. EN ISO 20345:2011 S3 HRO SRC
SWIFT BLACK SAFETY SNEAKER £39.95 Stylish sneaker boot! The Worktough Swift perfectly combines safety and style with this 9 eyelet low profile sneaker boot. With it's steel toecap composite midsole, padded collar and flat laces this is perfect for those wanting that modern look backed by comfort and protection. Like what you see? Check out the navy Fleet sneaker too! EN ISO 20345:2011 S1P SRC
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RRC LIVE ONLINE COURSES RRC have created a new course delivery option that blends the dynamic of classroom based learning with RRC’s highly regarded Online Learning. RRC are now offering Live Online courses for: • • • •
NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management IOSH Managing Safely
With work underway to offer this method of learning for our NEBOSH Diploma courses in the next few months. Live Online courses run on scheduled dates just like a classroom course. Everything required to study is accessed and launched through our easy to use Learning Centre. There are specific study schedules for each day as well as all the resources needed to successfully study the course. Each study day is laid out in an easy to follow order featuring a mixture of live classes and directed study. Everything you need for the day is easily accessible. When your live course has concluded, you can use the included Online course as well as RRC discussion forums and tutor support to help to make the final preparations for the assessment. Our first trials of Live Online courses have received great feedback from the learners. These courses are proving very popular with both individuals and organisations of all sizes and sectors, with places already filling fast for upcoming courses. RRC Managing Director, Gary Fallaize, comments “It is great to see how popular these courses have already been with our learners. In these difficult times I am delighted that my team has responded with such an effective and well received learning method to meet the needs of those who want that classroom experience from their home.” Contact:-RRC International www.rrc.co.uk, info@rrc.co.uk, +44(0)20 8944 3100.
WELCOME September 2020
Contents 4 16
V I C A I M A L AU N C H E S N E W W E B S I T E STRENGTHEN-ING THE USER’S EXPERIENCE
8 12 Go-ahead for ground breaking new £150m mental health facilities at springfield university hospital
26 Worcester Bosch launch Safe in Your Home Installer Commitment to ensure installer and customer safety
‘X-TREME’ 4-WAY STRETCH FLEXIBLE COMFORT FROM ENGEL WORKWEAR
Look After Your Hearing – With Proper Protection Peter Dumigan, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, owners of Snickers Workwear, Solid Gear Safety Footwear and Hellberg Safety PPE writes: Long term damage to your hearing can be caused by the noise from regular daily use of even the most basic hand tools – drills, angle grinders, disc cutters, circular saws, even hammers – if you don’t wear proper ear protection. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 are designed to workers on site from the risks caused by noise. Noise induced hearing loss is the most commonly reported occupational disease with aover 800 million people around the world are affected by the condition. Over 30% of all workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels and one in four manufacturing workers who are exposed to loud noise does not use hearing protectors. Hearing damage caused by exposure to noise at work is permanent and incurable with research estimating that over 2 million people can be exposed to noise levels that are potentially harmful. More often than not,
hearing loss is gradual as a result of prolonged exposure to noise, but when combined with normal loss of hearing as you age it becomes a rapidly deteriorating condition.
hearing protection zones where the use of hearing protection is compulsory.
As an added hazard, exposure to unsafe noise levels can also result in tinnitus, a permanent sensation of background ringing or buzzing your ears. But in the most serious of cases, immediate damage to your hearing can also be caused by sudden loud noises.
Too often we take our health and wellbeing for granted and probably never stop to consider what fantastic sensory organs our ears actually are. As well as helping us communicate, our hearing helps to keep us safe. It is the link to our surroundings and is vital for how we communicate with others.
Dont Take Your Hearing For Granted
Regulatory Protection As far as the health and safety regulations are concerned, the noise threshold for providing hearing protection is now a daily exposure of 85 decibels. More importantly, the level at which employers must assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with risk information and training is now 80 decibels. So, making the right, well informed decision is as important for the selfemployed as it is for employers. As an employer, you have to provide your employees with properly maintained hearing protectors if they ask for them and if their noise exposure is between the lower and upper exposure thresholds. You also have to make sure they use them properly and establish
Aside from issues with your mobile phone, think how you’d cope in hazardous situations if you couldn’t hear an alarm bell, a car horn or someone calling to you. We rely on our hearing in so many ways, which is why we should protect it. Unfortunately, for a significant part of the population, this ability is partially or entirely lost, because of exposure to loud noise. Hearing loss can never be restored but avoiding damage to your hearing is in most cases a matter of selecting and wearing the proper protection. Our hearing isn’t designed for many of the sounds we are exposed to today especially the unwanted sounds - those that can potentially damage your hearing. So remember, if you need to raise your voice or scream to be heard when standing about metre from someone on site – then its more than likely that the noise around you is dangerous! What is Noise and How Does It Relate To Working On Site? Sites are noisy places. Not just your mates banter and the radio in the background, but the working environment. Machine tools and plant all make noise, so does the process of using tools and applying fixings. It’s constant, almost incessant.
Working on site all the day means that noise is constantly being poured into your hearing. But what many people don’t realise is that every noise source and the length of time you’re exposed to it has an exposure level measurement and you’ll be surprised how quickly you can reach the maximum daily safety exposure dose without proper protection. For instance, drilling into wood at 92 decibels would only give you 10 minutes safe exposure against your full day’s allowance! Noise Sources These are examples contain dominating Mid-High frequency noise : Centrifuges , Hydraulic pumps , Gas cutting , Wood working machines, Hydraulic pumps, Impact tools , Grinding machines These examples contain dominating Low frequency noise : Engine generators, Electric furnaces , Diesel generators , Melting furnaces, Ground vibrating machinery, Blasting machines, Compressor units
Drilling into metal creates 96 decibels of noise, a chain saw 99 decibels, a circular saw 101 decibels, drilling into concrete 108 decibels and an angle grinder 109 decibels. So take a look at the chart above and you’ll see that if you haven’t got proper hearing protection, you shouldn’t be on site working and handling tools for very long at all! Choosing The Right Hearing Protection Always use hearing protection when exposed to harmful noise and if necessary, choose a protector adapted to your work environment, ie a product with ‘level dependent hearing protection’. Hellberg Safety recommends that the calculated level under the hearing protector should be around 75 decibels given that its real-life (attenuation) performance may be affected because of incorrect fitting, misuse and poor maintenance. Performance protection can even be affected by anything that impairs the hearing protectors seal, such as long hair, facial hair and glasses!
Finally here’s some useful tips. Choose hearing protection that fits correctly and is comfortable the entire time you are exposed to noise at work and even if you’re mowing the lawn or strimming. Make sure you’ve got 100% wear time in noisy environments and remember, the use of eyewear can reduce the hearing protector’s attenuation of between 3-8 decibels, so if possible, select thin eyewear frames. Finally, your health and wellbeing on site is just as important as getting a job done quickly, efficiently and in comfort. So choose your PPE products carefully and with that in mind check out the Hellberg Safety website www.hellbergsafety.com where you’ll find all the information you need on choosing precisely the right kind of passive or active hearing protection whatever you’re doing or wherever you’re working on site.
SBES Space-Bit the Social Distancing Wrist Band Introducing the SBES Space-Bit, the wristband which alerts and traces if workers get in each other’s safe-space. It is perfect for all work environments. Should two wearers become closer than 2 metres the SBES Space-Bit will vibrate and has an LED to alert the users to separate. Each SBES Space-Bit will automatically store the ID and contact dates of each alert. It has a rechargeable lithium battery and a full charge lasts up to 72 hours. The SBES Space-Bit is IP67 Waterproof and dust resistant plus CE, FCC and FDA Certified. Contact Tracking • Each wristband has a unique MAC address • It records every person wearing an SBES Space-Bit who comes into close contact • Up to 20,000 Contact records stored • Transfer contact records storage to APP via Bluetooth® BLE 5.0
For more information, simply visit www.sbes.co.uk or call us on +44 (0) 1737 226622
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Tough Machines for Tough Jobs
Go-ahead for ground breaking new £150m mental health facilities at springfield university hospital South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) has today announced that it has secured government approval to start work on its two new state-of-the-art facilities for south west Londoners. This multi-million-pound development will see the construction of two new mental health facilities set to open in 2022 on its largest site in Tooting, south London. This includes eight new inpatient wards which will be further boosted by the modernisation of the Trust’s community services. SWLSTG has already started construction work on this programme, which will include new housing and a 32-acre public park (the first of its kind since the 2012 London Olympics). The Trust has now formally signed contracts for the delivery of the Springfield University Hospital development with Springfield and Tolworth Estate Partnership (STEP), a 50/50 partnership between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures
Ltd and Kajima Partnerships. STEP will act as master developer for the site with Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd as main contractor for the new mental health units and the park, surrounding public realm and infrastructure. This huge milestone in the Trust’s Estate Modernisation Programme marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way the SWLSTG delivers mental health services for 1.1m south west Londoners. The Trust received government approval for its Full Business Case for the development following extensive engagement with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS Improvement, NHS England and Her Majesty’s Treasury.
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 09
Ann Beasley CBE, Chair of South West London and St. George’s Mental Health NHS Trust said: “This is the biggest landmark yet in our Estate Modernisation Programme and we are extremely proud of getting permission to go ahead and being able to start work on these brand-new, first class inpatient facilities. “This new environment will make a huge difference to our patients and the way we provide the best quality care towards their recovery. “It is incredibly important to us that we provide patients with the best environment and services possible and we are pleased to have done this primarily through raising our own funds. “Furthermore, this work will ensure that the Springfield University Hospital site is regenerated in a way which reduces the stigma of mental health conditions by integrating our organisation with our community.” Vanessa Ford, Acting Chief Executive of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust said: “We have been developing the plans for our brand-new mental health inpatient wards for many years and we are delighted to have received government approval, meaning we can begin construction on these state-ofthe-art inpatient buildings.
The plans, now formally approved, will bring forward a range of benefits to the people who use the Trust’s services, their carers and the local community, including: • World class mental health facilities: delivering the best care for patients • 839 brand new homes: providing housing for local families in Tooting • A 32-acre public park: providing excellent outdoor space including a gym and play areas for our local community • Community shops and a café: for local residents to meet and relax • Extensive community healthcare: treating people closer to their families and their home • District heating system and centralised energy centre: providing efficient heating and reducing carbon emissions • Land to be made available for a new school: investing in our children’s future • More than £5 million for new transport facilities: boosting transport links for local residents
“The wards will revolutionise the way we deliver care for generations to come and ensure we can provide high quality and safe services. The new facilities have been carefully designed alongside our clinicians and service users to provide the most supportive environment and innovative facilities for the delivery of mental health care. “As well good news for patients, the new hospital facilities will be good news for the environment with much more efficient use of energy and working towards a carbon neutral footprint.” Harriet Gladwell-Phillips, the STEP General Manager commented: “We are delighted to be involved in the Estate Modernisation Programme at Springfield. It’s a pioneering project for the NHS providing not only much needed high quality mental health facilities, but also housing and new green spaces for south west London. “The whole area will benefit from the redevelopment of the site, which will bring together new and existing people who live and work at Springfield to create a community with mental health and wellbeing at its heart.”
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IIRSM FELLOWSHIP FOR JACQUELINE O’DONOVAN Jacqueline O’Donovan, managing director of O’Donovan Waste, has been made a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM), having been a specialist member for several years. IIRSM is a professional body and charity for those responsible for managing risk in all its forms and provides recognition, practical education, training, resources and networking to help people and organisations manage risk - from protecting profits and reputation, to more importantly lives. The fellowship status recognises individuals who are changing the way organisations think and approach the management of risk and use their expertise and experience to deliver long-term value to both their organisation and profession. In achieving this fellowship, Jacqueline has demonstrated her experience in operating at the highest levels within the industry. Commenting on the announcement, Jacqueline said “I am delighted to maintain my long association with the IIRSM, now as a certified Fellow and will continue to champion and advocate for risk management best practice, helping to drive positive change whilst collaborating with fellow members who already play a vital and influential role in managing risk in all forms.” Jacqueline is considered a leading force, not only overseeing and prioritising the health and safety performance of her own team and business, but by her public speaking engagements and active advocacy for safety initiatives across the waste, logistics and construction industries. The O’Donovan business is an industry-leading company surpassing ground-breaking milestones for safety innovation, leadership and sustainability and Jacqueline works tirelessly to raise industry standards
and in particular, road safety and best practice, operational compliance as well as employee physical and mental health and safety. Phillip Pearson, CEO of IIRSM said “We are delighted that Jacqueline has achieved Fellowship of the Institute which demonstrates her commitment, vast knowledge and experience of working in the sector. Fellowship recognises senior professionals who are changing the way organisations think and how they approach the management of risk and who use their expertise and
experience to deliver long-term value. Jacqueline joins a group of peers who are committed to giving back to their profession. ”
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 11
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‘X-TREME’ 4-WAY STRETCH FLEXIBLE COMFORT FROM ENGEL WORKWEAR Recognised for its comprehensive range of well fitting, stylish and practical workwear, Danish manufacturer ENGEL build further on their reputation in the UK with the introduction of their new ‘X-Treme’ 4 - Way Stretch’ work trousers. Designed to allow as much flexibility as possible whilst kneeling or bending, the slim-fit trousers feature a 4-way stretch ‘breathable’, cooling fabric which quickly absorbs and dries light perspiration. The knee-pad pockets are reinforced with hard wearing Kevlar Teramid and have two options for pad height adjustment; in addition to the many useful pockets for keeping essential tools and accessories immediately to hand, some of which have either Velcro or zip closures, optional hanging tool pockets can be attached to the
waist; the trousers also have extra deep hems so that lengths can be increased if required. Made from 73% nylon, 17% cotton and 10% elastine, the ‘Engel X-Treme 4-Way Stretch’ work trousers are available in a variety of colour combinations and in all popular sizes. For more information contact Gareth Bladen – email: gbl@f-engel.com Telephone: +44(0) 7759 520034 or visit: www.engel.eu/en
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Knee and body protection from Redbacks Cushioning Redbacks Cushioning Limited, developers of the award winning, ‘Leaf-Spring’ cushioning technology offers a range of products to help protect the knees and body from damage caused by kneeling
T
he Redbacks Pocket Kneepad, specifically designed to fit work trousers, features a flexible leaf-spring held within a thermoplastic honeycomb matrix which unlike foam or gel ensures a high compression rate and 100% recovery to its original shape. This combination and the inherent ‘memory’ aspect gives unique controlled weight distribution; the deceleration of pressure protects both the knees and body from potentially damaging impact forces and gives long lasting, anti-fatigue support; traditional foam or gel solutions create point-pressure which focus the force or energy to a point which is then transmitted back into the knee joint and beyond. Easy to slide in and curved to fit comfortably around the knee, the water-resistant pads which conform to CE EN14404 Type 2 Level 1 help to protect against possible injury from sharp objects, wick away sweat and provide thermal protection from warm or cold surfaces; they are machine washable at 30°c and 100% recyclable. For more information or to become a supplier visit www.redbackscushioning.com email: sales@redbackscushioning.com or telephone: 01327 702104
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EMMA Safety Footwear Just Got Safer For You & The Environment Next Generation Safety that takes your wellbeing and the environment as seriously as you do! Now part of the Hultafors Group’s PPE portfolio, EMMA Safety Footwear is a fully EU accredited range of excellent values shoes and boots that satisfy a wide range of user needs and workplaces - including light and heavy industry sectors plus office and retail environments. Complementing the Solid Gear and Toe Guard range, EMMA safety footwear includes all the Hultafors Group hallmarks of hi-tech designs that combine top quality materials for ultimate comfort, maximum safety and wellbeing at work. What’s more, if sustainability is a priority for you and your company, every product in the EMMA range is made entirely from recycled or recyclable materials. It’s a 100% ‘circular’ manufacturing, usage and recycling process for every shoe and boot produced under the EMMA brand. So, to make a positive footprint in your workplace, if your ordinary safety footwear just isn’t up to the job, you can be sure there’s an EMMA product that is. https://issuu.com/emmasafetyfootwear/docs/emma_ catalogue_2020_web_en?fr=sM2I1NTMwMjA3Mw To get more information on EMMA Safety Footwear, visit the website at www.emmasafetyfootwear.com , call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788 or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 15
NEW EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ HELMET certified to both EN397 and EN12492 with integrated eye protection
The EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ helmet provides the perfect solution and protection for those needing both Head Protection for working at ground level and working at height combined with Eye Protection in the form of a lens or shield which is fully integrated and fully compatible.
The EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ Helmet offers the choice of either a VISTAlens™ or VISTAshield™ depending on the levels of protection and performance required.
Select the EVO®VISTAlens™ DUALSWITCH™ Optical class 1 overspec for an unobstructed wide view lens conforming to EN166.1.FT.KN providing F rated impact Combining the new EVO®VISTA™ retractable eyewear protection - tested with 6mm steel ball bearing at speeds helmet technology with the innovative DUALSWITCH™ of up to 100mph (160kph), even at extreme temperatures chinstrap harness system, it is easy for the wearer to with anti-scratch and anti-mist coatings. Or choose the switch between working at ground level standard EN397 EVO®VISTAshield™ DUALSWITCH™ Optical class 1 and working at height safety standard EN12492 by eyeshield which offers a clear panoramic view conforming flicking a switch. to EN166.1.AT.KN providing A rated impact protection - tested with 6mm steel ball bearing at speeds of up to At the same time, the EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ 425mph (685kph), even at extremes of temperature with helmet provides individuals with compatible integrated anti-scratch and anti-mist coatings. Optical class 1 eye protection which is fully retractable when not in use and cannot be lost by the user or The EVO® VISTA DUALSWITCH™ range has been damaged on site after issue. Wearers can wear their own designed to be fully compatible with JSP respirators such spectacles under the lens or shield saving additional as the Force™8 PressToCheck™ and the Sonis® helmetcosts to companies for prescription safety eyewear. mounted ear defender range.
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VICAIMA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE STRENGTHENING THE USER’S EXPERIENCE Always aiming to build the perfect online experience for its customers and partners, Vicaima, one of the largest European players in the production of sophisticated solutions for interior doors, wardrobes and panels, has just launched a new website, which aims to improve the ease of navigation for its users, providing spontaneous and differentiating interaction with all features and tools. Yet another innovation, from a company which is continuously investing in a close, modern and intuitive digital footprint. Among the new features, Vicaima highlights the speed of the platform and the contemporary, functional and responsive redesign, strategically created to facilitate the search process for users, in line with their intentions, needs and desires. Thus, the new website is characterized by dynamism, accompanied by carefully selected content, as well as a wide range of products, performance and solutions, with a view to boosting the digital presence of the brand in the national and international arena. This redesign includes aesthetic improvements allowing for more immersive experimentation and improved navigation, which allows visitors to easily find the information they need. “After many months of work and dedication by our entire team, we are very pleased with the launch of the new Vicaima website. This latest step reflects the company’s ability to anticipate trends,
innovate, propose complete and exciting proposals to the market. With the new website, the user can easily and intuitively access the commercialized products, news, catalogues, technical information, projects and news, as well as request the download of BIM solutions from Vicaima, quickly and effectively. We believe that we will strengthen our position as one of the dominant players in the market. With the new design, we expect an increase in the number of visitors and consumption of content on our page. We look forward to feedback and the new and exciting developments to come“, stresses Antonio Moutinho, Director at Vicaima Group. The new Vicaima page thus highlights the company’s willingness to invest in a digital sphere that provides the best user experience for its customer. The renewal follows, precisely, the thought provoking attitude of the brand towards the different markets in which it operates. This is also related to an integrated multichannel strategy, which reconciles the company’s multiple digital tools, placing it, once again, at the forefront of the sector.
Vicaima is currently one of the biggest European players in the design and production of sophisticated solutions for interior doors, technical doors, frames, wardrobes, panels and furniture parts. Its positioning is based on the ability to develop integrated and customized solutions, oriented to different sectors, namely housing, hotel, health, education and commercial. Innovative and trendsetter, Vicaima has a constant concern for sustainability, being the first Portuguese company in the sector to obtain FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certification. Founded in Portugal, it has a direct presence in countries such as the United Kingdom and Spain and exports 95% of its production to markets ranging from Europe to the African continent, passing through the United Arab Emirates and the American continent.
Visit the Vicaima website www.vicaima.com for further information.
18 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE
Understand the Risks On Site – Protect Your Staff! Peter Dumigan is managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, owners of Snickers Workwear, which has recently launched the ProtekWork range of Protective Wear. He writes: The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 stipulate that: Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective. What does this mean for Workwear? Workwear as a form of PPE generally includes safety glasses, face shields, hard hats, safety shoes, insulating (rubber) gloves plus clothing more commonly known as Protective Wear. As working clothes go, there’s a big difference between conventional Workwear and specialist Protective Wear. Over the years, workwear has evolved to make your working day more comfortable and efficient, with built-in functionality for tools and fixings, as well as protection against cold, rain and the effects of warm weather. Protective Wear, which can have one or more CE (European Conformity) marks is significantly more specialist and has been developed to protect the wearer from serious risks such as heat, flames, mechanical hazards electric arcs, hazardous chemicals – and even the weather! In effect, it’s a type of clothing that can mean the difference between life and death for the wearer. Protective Wear has to be certified against Regulation (EU) 2016/425, which determines the fundamental safety and protection requirements with which clothing has to comply. The product certification process for this regulation includes
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 19
the independent testing and accreditation of a product’s functionality and performance. This is carried out against a predetermined set of standards and technical specifications that are designed to ensure a user’s safety and security. It’s a complex process that requires a considerable investment in time, resources and money on the part of the product developer who, on successful completion, is required to affix the CE mark to the product as a visible indication of conformity with the fundamental accreditation requirements. The types of testing vary from one certification to another. For protective wear, the higher the protection category, the more complex is the testing process, which for protective wear, primarily focuses on garment fabrics. For instance, Snickers Workwear’s new, ergonomically designed ProtekWork clothing manufactured for welding and allied processes is tested to measure the ability of the garment to protect against ignition from various heat sources, such as open flames, molten iron splash and contact heat. The ProtekWork clothing that safeguards against the thermal hazards of an electric arc is tested and certified to eliminate seconddegree burns in the event of an electric arc flash. Risk environments and CE protection categories. In order to meet the protective requirements of a specific risk area, protective wear is divided into three categories - the higher the category number, the higher the level of protection. Category I covers exposure to minimal risks, and for this category there are CE standards such as EN 343 (rain protection) and EN 14058 (cold protection). Category II includes exposure to medium risks, for instance EN 20471 for high visibility clothing.
Category III covers exposure to serious risks, which include major hazards such as electric arcs and molten metal splashes or liquid chemicals. CE protection categories for ProtekWork Protective Wear EN 14404 - Knee protection. This standard stipulates the size, force distribution, penetration resistance and user testing of kneepads. “We use Type 2 knee protectors for our products”
says Peter Dumigan. “The knee protection is integrated with the trousers, which means that wherever you go, your knees are always protected. The knee protectors and the trousers are cocertified, ensuring safe and secure protection”. EN 342 - Protective clothing against cold. EN 342 specifies the requirements and performance of clothing designed to protect against cooling of the body in cold environments.
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Wearing several layers is a great way of increasing insulation and enhancing protection against the cold. A layered outfit also makes it easy to adjust to rapid temperature changes. Remember that sweating should be avoided during continuous cold exposure, since moisture absorption will progressively reduce insulation. EN 343 - Protective clothing against rain. Rain doesn’t only make you wet, but also cold, hampering your work performance. EN 343 specifies the performance and requirements of clothing protecting against rain and vapour. The standard defines the water penetration resistance of the garment’s fabric and seams and water vapour resistance. EN ISO 20471 - High visibility clothing. EN ISO 20471 specifies requirements for clothing capable of signaling the user’s presence visually. Performance requirements are included for color and retro reflection as well as for minimum areas and for the disposition of fluorescent and reflective materials. EN ISO 11611 - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes. EN 11611 specifies material performance and design requirements for clothing developed to protect against heat and flame and welding - both lower levels of spatter (splashes of molten metal) and radiant heat, also more hazardous welding techniques and situations, which produce higher levels of spatter and radiant heat.
with higher risks, higher protection garments are required.
EN 13034 - Protective clothing against liquid chemicals.
EN ISO 11612 - Protective clothing against heat and flame.
EN 13034 targets situations in which the wearer relatively easily can step out from the risk environment and quickly remove the garment. Typical professions include truck drivers who drive gasoline transports and service technicians who occasionally handles lubricants, acids etc. For tougher environments
EN 11612 specifies performance for clothing designed to protect from heat and/or flame (not including protection for firefighters and welders). The standard indicates protection against ignition from various heat sources – flames, molten splashes and contact heat for instance. To ensure full
protection, the head, neck, hands and feet must be covered with other approved protective clothing. EN ISO 14116 - Protective clothing against flame. EN 14116 specifies the performance of protective clothing for workers exposed to occasional brief contact with open flames with no other thermal risks. EN 1149-5 - Protective clothing electrostatic properties.
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 21
of physical and mechanical aggressions caused by abrasion, blade cut, tear, puncture and, if applicable, impact. EN407 - Protective gloves against thermal risks. This standard specifies thermal performance for protective gloves against heat and/or fire. EN 511 - Protective gloves against cold. This standard applies to any gloves to protect the hands against convective and contact cold down to –50 °C. Avoid Injury – work safely, ensure your whole outfit offers proper protection “Working in high-risk environments involves, as the name implies, highrisk levels”, says Peter Dumigan. “So it’s vital that you – the buyer carry out a proper risk assessment from which you’ll be able to choose the right protective wear to ensure the safety and well-being of your employees on site”. “To be able to properly identify what protection you need, you have to know what risks you, your employees or your workmates face. Importantly, each working situation will have its own required minimum protection depending on the risk situation”.
EN 1149-5 specifies material performance and design requirements for protective clothing with electrostatic properties. These protective clothes are designed to avoid the risk of incendiary discharge (the formation of sparks), when for example an elbow or a knee is brushed against a wall or similar surface/object. IEC 61482-2 - Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc.
IEC 61482-2 specifies requirements for clothing protecting against the thermal hazards of an electric arc. These clothes belong to the Risk III category, which defines garments used in high-risk environments, and are certified to eliminate seconddegree burns in the event of an electric arc flash (flashover). EN 388 - Protective gloves against mechanical risks. This standard applies to all kinds of protective gloves in respect
“Never assume that a Category I garment will protect against the more serious hazards and risks defined in Category III. It wont and you’ll be putting your employees at serious risk if you think it will”. “That means understanding the hazards and risks of a specific working environment or knowing the risk level before starting work and therefore providing appropriate clothing and PPE accessories”. Snickers Workwear is able to provide a full advice service to compliment the ProtekWork product range. For more information check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk
22 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE
Covid-19 has impacted some plumbers and installers businesses more than others… The current UK government advice is for everyone in the UK to practice social distancing - limiting face-toface contact with people who are not in your household and maintaining a twometre distance between one another. Where this is not possible - such as on public transport etc. you need to wear a face mask. The governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have issued their own guidance. Plumbers and installers will, of course, be concerned about the impact that lockdown has had on their businesses. The government has outlined several ways of supporting businesses during this challenging time including but not limited to business interruption loans, the job retention scheme and income support for the self-employed. As the easing of lock down continues and we make tentative steps to determine our way forward, where does this leave plumbers and installers re their prospect of working? Given the present climate, many homeowners may be confused and anxious about what work can be done and how they can keep safe with tradespeople coming into or even outside of their homes.
For tradespeople who are working, there are ways to reassure and protect customers (and themselves) - such as limiting their time in a house, disinfecting door handles they’ve touched, taking drinks so as not to use the homeowners mugs and of course wearing a mask and washing their hands regularly with soap and water/hand sanitiser – or wear gloves. Recently, The IPG ran a Facebook competition, asking plumbers and installers to answer three simple questions, with the aim of understanding; what they thought of the Government schemes to help self-employed workers, if they were still working and how Covid-19 has impacted their business.
The findings are telling (results compiled June 1, 2020), the Government support packages are working for some plumbers and installers but not for others. 56% felt that the schemes were positive and very helpful during these difficult times, one installer said that “they were a good solution to an impossible situation”. 38% felt that they were not much help, it took too long to get any payment and they needed to be better. 3% had no opinion. We also shed some light on the percentage of plumbers and installers who were still working and those who were not. 58% had stopped working, with one participant stating, “It has
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 23
completely shut down my business, as a domestic plumber/bathroom fitter I had to completely stop working for the safety of myself and customers”. Another said: “We have closed down as we are domestic, no one wanted us to do house calls, jobs haven’t really been coming in, I’ve only had 2 emergencies to go to in this time”. In contrast, 42% revealed that they were still working, stating various reasons for this, one plumber commented: “As a self-employed contractor, the initial lockdown resulted in me being out of work for a while - until the building site I was on implemented Covid safety measures”. Another remarked: “We are working but more aware of
sanitising and customer interaction, we just have to adjust to suit the current situation - keep 2 meters apart, wear masks and gloves and wash regularly, making customers aware of procedures.”
only using a tradesperson who is qualified, but one who is also fully aware of Covid-19 health and safety measures.”
David Cairns, Head of Supplier and Commercial Strategy at The IPG supports the safe working code stating: “In the UK, heating installers and plumbers primarily work alone or in small teams in private properties, changing location on a regular basis. Now, more than ever, safe working arrangements and practices are an important area to focus on.
He went on to say: “IPG members are all implementing Covid-19 health and safety measures in the workplace, making their stores a safe environment to shop in or click and collect. Never has buying from an independent business been more relevant. It is a significant contributing factor in supporting local employment, boosting UK innovation, as well as increasing environmental benefits. Support your local independent!”
“The public will become increasingly aware of the importance of not
For more information please visit: www.the-ipg.co.uk
24 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE
UK pubs reopening intensifies Covid-19 ventilation concerns Specialists warn there is no longer room to neglect ventilation maintenance and best practice guidelines as the government pushes on with plans to restart the UK economy during the pandemic Effective and well-maintained ventilation systems should be considered vital to ensuring public confidence in the gradual reopening of businesses properties, industry experts have said.
Industry bodies, suppliers and maintenance groups have all told H&V News that the practicalities of limiting the infection risks of Covid-19 in a range of commercial buildings means moving beyond narrowly ensuring minimum standards are met – if at all. Best practice guidance at present has focused on maximising the flow of external air into buildings and enclosed areas.
The calls to rethink best practice and basic requirements of ventilation are increasingly pertinent after the World Health Organisation this month issued a statement saying that “evidence was emerging” of a risk that Covid-19 may spread through the air in enclosed spaces. Dr Hywel Davies, technical director of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), said ahead of the WHO announcement that ventilation needed to be carefully considered in light of emerging evidence about the potential for the virus to spread through the air.
Energy infrastructure of the future NIBE Energy Systems has published a new policy paper which includes a scheme to support the installation of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) infrastructure to enable greater uptake in the UK. It has been shared with BEIS and industry representatives. The paper proposes a radical new policy solution to fund 100 years of GSHP infrastructure. This would help finance the ground works for GSHPs, making their cost comparable to gas boilers through a fee paid regularly by the household. This will pay back the initial capex for the ground works and create warmer, low-carbon new build homes, generating benefits for all parties. GSHPs work by extracting warmth from underground by pumping water through a network of large pipes buried in a property’s garden, via boreholes
that can reach several kilometres. They represent a stable method of heating and cooling all year round and are as effective in summer as they are in winter. The ability to install a renewable heating system without the requirement for additional space is an attraction for developers with space at a premium on new build sites. Concerns have been raised about the predicted uptake and the suitability of the flat £4,000 grant for GSHPs. It is the cost of the groundworks which makes GSHPs more expensive than their air source counterparts but both technologies have a role to play in delivering the net zero aspirations. Just 11,000 GSHPs were installed under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in March 2020 compared to over 46,000 air source heat pumps, despite applications for domestic RHI reaching a four-year high. Conducting the ground works
necessary for GSHPs is very cost-effective when servicing multiple homes at one time. This is because the machinery that is used to drill the boreholes, known as rigs, can simply be moved between properties in the same development at a very low cost. If homes are serviced on an individual basis instead, the cost associated with the borehole drilling can be a substantial proportion of the overall cost. NIBE believes that the groundworks needed for GSHPs should be seen as a long-term infrastructure investment and policy should be designed to encourage deployment. Incentivising energy infrastructure investments such as boreholes should help to deliver increased uptake of this low-carbon technology.
The renewable heating alternative
Serious about sustainability The Ultra Quiet Ecodan range of air source heat pumps from Mitsubishi Electric are some of the most advanced heating systems available. Designed specifically for UK conditions, Ecodan provides renewable, low carbon alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-burning heating systems. With an A++ ErP Rating label across the range, homes can be heated for less while cutting CO2 emissions.
ecodan.me.uk/hda
26 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE
Worcester Bosch launch Safe in Your Home Installer Commitment to ensure installer and customer safety Leading UK boiler manufacturer, Worcester Bosch, has launched a new initiative to support installers and homeowners for work undertaken in the home. The ‘Safe in your Home Installer Commitment’ is a pledge for installers to sign-up for, enabling them to receive a pack of digital and physical tools to help them undertake work in customers’ homes safely and securely. The Commitment intends to do two things: •
•
Give installers clarity on the correct social distancing and hygiene guidelines they need to be following when entering customers’ homes Give customers reassurance that any visiting installer who signs up to the commitment will have the knowledge and tools to take the right precautionary measures
Every installer who signs up to the Safe in your Home Installer Commitment receives a digital pack of assets, with the first 5,000 also being sent a physical package of free goods. This consists of: •
Digital stamp for use on social pages and website, a clear indicator to show they have signed up to the initiative
•
An email checklist for customers and installer to fill out pre-visit
•
Guidance documents for installers and homeowners, an essential reminder of the precautions to follow
•
Email footers, to work as a signature in customer comms
•
Removable van vinyl of the Installer Commitment logo [First 5,000 only]
•
‘Installer at work’ sign, showing the precautionary measures being taken [First
5,000 only], to be displayed in company vehicles during call outs The new tools have been designed by Worcester Bosch to help installers, who carry out work in people’s homes, demonstrate that safety is the main focus for any boiler installation and home heating maintenance, particularly during these uncertain times. Victoria Billings, Director of Marketing at Worcester Bosch said; “As the UK Government starts to ease its lockdown measures, industries like ours are beginning to return to work. With this comes a constant need to adapt to the ever-changing climate. “We feel it is important to support installers at this time, enabling them to reassure customers about how they are safe working in their homes. This initiative intends to do just that and ensure that homeowners and installers are reassured and clear regarding safety considerations for an at-home visit, with a variety of digital and physical reminders putting safety front and centre of every visit.” Installers can pledge to be a part of the commitment here.
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 27
Government publishes draft Building Safety Bill The draft Building Safety Bill, published earlier this week, sets out a stringent new safety regime for higher risk residential buildings (HRRBs), backed by a powerful new Building Safety Regulator. The government bill creates new responsibilities for the construction teams of new builds and the landlords of existing HRRBs over 18m or six storeys in England and Wales. It is backed by the threat of criminal sanctions if new statutory duties – such as submitting adequate safety cases or ignoring compliance notices – are not fulfilled. Failure to comply could see dutyholders face two years in prison or an unlimited fine. Running to 334 pages, the draft bill incorporates the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety following the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017, where gaps in regulatory oversight led to failings that ultimately claimed 72 lives. The draft text will now be scrutinised by a Parliamentary committee, and further consultations could also be held before measures are finalised. Responding to the bill, IOSH construction group chair Malcolm Shiels CFIOSH said: ‘Maybe you could argue there is too much emphasis on punitive measures. However if organisations or projects do not willingly look to improve and at times continue to place people, individually and collectively, at risk of harm, then those heavy punitive measures will be needed.’ But he also urged construction professionals to get behind the new bill. ‘If the construction industry does not grasp the nettle this time after a disaster such as Grenfell, and all the good work since then in getting to this point of the draft bill being published, and then the building safety regulations being published and enacted, it will be devastatingly disappointing.’ The new bill outlines the scope of the Building Safety Regulator, the branch of the HSE that will scrutinise the ‘safety cases’ submitted by HRRB construction teams at three design gateways, issuing ‘stop’ notices if the information is not acceptable. The new regulator will also oversee all registered building inspectors (covering local authority building control teams and those working in the private sector) and set up a new mandatory reporting system for structural and fire safety breaches. Construction dutyholders – including principal designers, principal contractors and building safety managers – will also have to create, store and update a ‘golden thread’ of building and product information through the three design
‘gateways’, then maintain it throughout the building’s lifecycle. Katherine Metcalfe, legal director at law firm Pinsent Masons, described the bill as a ‘complete regulatory overhaul [that will] signal a new era in the way we build’. She added: ‘New duties are created for organisations and individuals, backed up by penalties equivalent to health and safety law. Enforcement of the building regulations for the whole of the built environment will be strengthened by increasing time limits for enforcement [to 10 years], and the penalties for non-compliance.’ Katherine also welcomed the new regulator’s role in overseeing building control teams’ performance, saying that it ‘should improve consistency geographically, and also between local authority and private sector inspectors’. In further responsibilities, the Building Safety Regulator will set up a Buildings Advisory Committee, replacing the Building Regulations Advisory Committee for England, and will establish an industry-led ‘competence committee’ to oversee the construction industry’s efforts to raise the bar on professional standards. Katherine added: ‘Competence is a key issue, and central to making the new system work. New competence requirements will apply to all of the proposed new roles, as well as to a wider range of professionals and tradespeople. The new regulator will hold and maintain a register of competent principal designers, principal contractors and building safety managers.’ The HRRB landlord or its agent – known as the Accountable Person – will also be required to appoint a competent Building Safety Manager to manage fire and structural safety risks in the building day to day. ‘It is good to see that the government now accepts that an organisation can act as the Building Safety Manager, albeit that there must be a named individual within the organisation with responsibility for the building,’ noted Katherine. ‘A diverse set of skills will be required to carry out the role and it may prove relatively rare for one individual to possess all of them. ‘Important questions remain about the basis upon which the HSE might veto the appointment of a Building Safety Manager, and the availability of suitable insurance,’ she concluded.
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 29
Health & Safety Update Recommended Suppliers
SBS
- The Lone Worker Alarm Company
Our in-depth Knowledge of the issues surrounding lone workers and emergency response systems is based on many years of experience in consultation, research, design, implementation, management and support. The unique SBES lone worker alarm systems have been developed over the last two decades, enabling us to provide the most expert service and system solutions available in today’s industries. SBES’s commitment to lone worker protection is second to none. We have systems to suit all sizes of companies, so whether you’re a single user or a global company, we have the best lone worker protection available
With over 30 years of experience, and installations in over 20 countries, PoolLock is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of automatic safety and slatted covers for swimming pools. PoolLock Automatic Covers offer you the safest, most convenient, most reliable and energy-efficient way to cover your pool.e
> www.poollock.com
> www.sbes.co.uk
Redbacks Cushioning - Innovative products built to make you last Redbacks® was formed in 2011 in order to develop our cushioning invention for which we now hold a number of international patents.
> ww.redbackscushioning.com
Vicaima unexpected harmony Established in 1959, Vicaima have been supplying quality interior timber doors and door assemblies to the UK market for over 25 years. From its European HQ in Portugal, products are sent to be enhanced and distributed by the Vicaima Limited manufacturing and warehouse facility in Swindon, Wiltshire to developers, merchants and clients nationwide.
> www.vicaima.com/en-gb
Quirepace Engel Workwear - workwear for professionals
- innovation in vacuum and conveying technology
Our workwear is constantly adapted to the demands of the market. We sell the workwear that you need - whether it’s traditional or modern, or whether it needs to meet specific certifications.
We combine proven products with carefully designed solutions to deliver outstanding benefits to our customers. Our extensive experience enables us to best interpret our customers’ requirements and aspirations, in order to deliver first-class products, systems and services.
> www.engel.eu/en
> www.quirepace.co.uk