PPE manufacturers discuss new technology, customer concerns and what’s on the horizon in their field.
Properly working and fitting personal protective equipment is critically important for workers, even if it’s meant to be used as the last line of defense. Safety+Health, with help from the International Safety Equipment Association, recently asked PPE manufacturers three questions:
What PPE trends are happening now, what challenges are your customers reaching out to you with, and what technological innovations are here or on the horizon?
“The most important factor is still choosing the right PPE for the job. An ongoing problem across all industries is that too many injury victims were not wearing the PPE supplied by their employer. The vast majority of reasons why people don’t wear PPE can, however, be easily addressed through good product design, the right materials, matching
What are the primary considerations decision-makers should keep in mind when evaluating and purchasing your category of PPE-related products/services?
The selection of personal protective equipment (PPE) should begin with hazard assessment. Once you identify and measure the hazards, you can determine the appropriate controls, including the PPE most appropriate to protect your employees, achieve compliance and be comfortable for the employee. You may also look for products, e.g., N95 particulate respirators, that have been NIOSH approved, as well as FDA cleared as surgical masks for use in the operating room environment. Comfort is a key consideration for the employees who will be wearing the PPE. Of course, cost is also a big factor. And there could well be other considerations based on a variety of factors, such as the environment or company policies. Overall, though, you should seek out options that meet your employee’s needs and comfort requirements or else they won’t want
Eighty-two buildings have failed a new fire safety test set up in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, ministers say.
The test examines the safety of building cladding and insulation in combination. It comes as an independent review of building regulations and fire safety has also been announced by the government. It will look at current building regulations and fire safety, focusing on high-rise residential buildings.
The fire at Grenfell Tower block on 14 June in North Kensington, London, killed at least 80 people.
Sixty blocks 'fail new Grenfell fire test'
Corporate manslaughter warning over Grenfell
Work to start on covering Grenfell Tower
Of the 82 buildings that failed the latest test, 47 are local authority or housing association-owned or managed.
The new fire safety test is the first of a wave of more comprehensive assessments, which come after previous tests were carried out on hundreds of cladding samples in recent months
The law covers all work activities where people could fall and injure themselves. The duties are on employers, the self-employed and others who have control over work at height. You must make sure work at height is properly planned, supervised and carried out by people who are competent to do the job.
The key issues are:
Working on roofs
Working on or passing near to fragile roofing material
Working on glasshouse roofs
Working on vehicles
Working with bales: loading trailers and stacking
Work platforms on fork-lift trucks
Scaffolds
Ladders
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW....
Falls are the second highest cause of death in agriculture – every year at least eight people die falling from a height. Those who survive suffer broken bones and worse. Falls often happen from roofs, lofts, ladders, vehicles, bale stacks, and unsuitable access equipment, such as buckets. These accidents and injuries
At times, workers may be required to work in hot environments for long periods. When the human body is unable to maintain a normal temperature, heat-related illnesses can occur and may result in death. This fact sheet provides information to employers on measures they should take to prevent heat-related illnesses and death.