PPE Industry News

We are committed to keeping up to date with the latest developments and regulation changes within our industry. We feel it is important to pass on this information to our customers so they can benefit from our specialist knowledge and help us to provide a high quality service.

Gateway has launched a new item of eye protection for those looking to prevent overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.

The company's new 4X4 Sport Safety Eyewear has been described as 'ideal' for those who want protection from eye disorders including macular degeneration, as well as 'high-end style' and 'superior' protection.

Weighing around an ounce, the wraparound safety glasses feature polycarbonate lenses with an anti-scratch coating and flexible temple tips which are designed to prevent any pressure when worn.

The new eye protection is expected to be available with a silver sport-style frame and a range of mirrored lenses in colours including sunset red, horizon blue or iridescent green.

Details on the personal protective equipment have been announced after Sperian launched of new range of hearing protection.

The Howard Leight Thunder T2HV Hi-Visibility Earmuffs are designed to be noticeable in a number of dark settings, including in low lighting or poor weather conditions.

The prosecution of a quarry products company has highlighted the need for people working in the trade to wear head protection, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Wildmoor Quarry Products was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,520 by the HSE after a lump of sandstone fell from a power-operated machine and hit a worker who was not wearing a hard hat.

Discussing the incident after the case, HSE inspector Ian Williamson said it was a 'fundamental expectation' that employees should be able to work in safety.

He explained: 'A quarry is one of the most dangerous environments and working there calls for vigilance by employers and workers alike.

'It also obvious that workers should wear suitable head protection in an environment where there are large, heavy, materials swiftly moving along at high level.'

News on the case has come after US company Gateway Safety recently released a new range of ventilated safety helmets, which are designed to keep those working in hot conditions cool.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that it is planning to hold a workplace safety awareness event for contractors next week.

Expected to take place on April 30th, the event is being held at Duchy College in Callington and is aimed at encouraging companies to promote safety issues to their suppliers.

Information on personal protective equipment may be included in the event, which is set to consider issues such as working from height and risk management.

Attendees will also hear about electricity safety and will be given the chance to discuss the subjects over lunch after the event.

It is believed that over 60 firms will attend the awareness day.

The HSE recently urged women to raise the issue of asbestos with sons or partners who work on construction maintenance projects.

A new campaign has been set up to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and encourages people to take precautions to protect themselves against the material.

A new construction training scheme which includes advice on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has been launched.

The Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme (SEIRS) has been created to ensure that people in the industry meet certain regulations and have knowledge of health and safety issues.

According to Materials Handling World magazine, installation workers will also need to have qualified in the initiative to apply for a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

Mike Tucker of the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA), which developed the initiative with the CSCS, told the publication that it is 'a very comprehensive programme'.

He added: 'The SEIRS ID card, which must be renewed every three years, demonstrates a level of knowledge and a commitment on behalf of individuals operating in this labour intensive sector.'

SEMA works to promote the safe design and installation of storage equipment manufactured by its members.

Last year, the organisation held its annual safety conference at the National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham.

US personal protective equipment manufacturer (PPE) Miller has unveiled a new fall protection application.

The company's new Skygrip Temporary Horizontal Lifeline System has been designed to allow two workers per span, while it can also take up to six people per system.

Designed for use when overhead fall protection anchorage is not available, the lightweight system has interchangeable bases for use on both steel and concrete applications.

It also features an energy absorber and stanchions that can be utilised as single point anchorages.

The launch of the new fall arrest equipment has come after another PPE manufacturer unveiled a new range of hearing protection.

Released under its Howard Leight brand, Sperian Protection's new bright green Thunder T2HV Hi-Visibility earmuffs are designed to make it easier for people to see those working in low-lit areas or poor weather.

The hearing protection, which does not conduct electricity, also features snap-in ear cushions and a ventilated head band to reduce the amount of pressure applied to a user's head.

Sperian Protection has announced it is launching new hearing protection through its Howard Leight brand.

The company's new Thunder T2HV Hi-Visibility earmuffs are available in a bright green colour in order to make it easier to see workers who need ear protection in low lighting areas or poor weather.

In addition, the personal protective equipment has been created so it will not conduct electricity, making them particularly useful for those working in petrochemical and road construction sectors.

The product also features snap-in ear cushions and an inner-ventilated headband to reduce the amount of pressure applied to a user's head.

Sperian Protection is one of the world's leading manufacturers of personal protection equipment.

As well as producing hearing protection, the company also designs and creates protective workwear, including fall arrest equipment, contamination protection and respiratory protection.

The company's ranges are available in a number of areas across the globe, including the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

A new series of meters designed to measure noise levels in UK workplaces has been launched by Cirrus Research.

The CR:260A series of systems have been designed to assess machinery sound levels for health and safety reasons, helping companies to select what hearing protection they may need on a project.

Eight meters have been launched in the range, which all of them including the option of data download to a PC via a USB connection.

James Tingay of Cirrus Research said: 'Our new 260A sound level meters are an ideal choice for any health and safety and noise at work application.

'Easy to use and robustly built, these new sound level meters will help organisations keep within the letter of the law with regard to noise safety and help users to select appropriate ear protection.'

As well as designing sound level meters, Cirrus Research also designs and manufactures personal noise dosemeters, acoustic calibrators, microphone capsules and digital noise nuisance recorders.

A new range of safety helmets which are designed to keep workers cool when working in warm conditions has been launched.

Created by US company Gateway Safety, the new personal protective equipment (PPE) features the firm's CoolSense air flow system, meaning heat can escape from the top of the helmets and can keep people cool.

As well as featuring the ventilation system, the head protection is manufactured from lightweight high-density polyethylene material and features a brow pad to absord perspiration.

The company has stated that the new design will help workers remain fully alert and not distracted when working in warm environments.

Gateway Safety's new range of protective headwear has been released several weeks after global firm North Safety Products also launched a new line of PPE.

Designed to protect emergency personnel, the company's range of reflective safety vests features a reflective stripe design exclusive to the manufacturer.

The new line also meets official standards outlined by the International Safety Equipment Association.

Businesses have been warned to ensure that contractors and workers carry out risk assessments and operate safe systems of work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued the call after it fined two companies after a worker lost the tips of two fingers at a paper recycling plant in Greenwich.

Loraine Charles, the HSE inspector that investigated the case, said the incident showed the importance of ensuring that employees are aware of hazards.

Her comments also suggested that the use of personal protective equipment could be beneficial.

She said: 'Risk assessments and permit-to-work systems are worthless unless companies make sure that employees are aware of what the hazards actually are and, therefore, carry out their work accordingly.'

The HSE recently also called for construction maintenance workers to ensure they take precautions to protect themselves against asbestos when working in buildings built before 2000.

According to official figures from the organisation, 20 tradesmen die a week from breathing in asbestos fibres.

Construction maintenance workers have been urged to take precautions against asbestos when working in buildings built before 2000.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stated that 20 tradesman die a week due to breathing in asbestos fibres during the course of their time at work.

In order to raise awareness, the organisation has urged women to raise the topic with their son or partner if they are employed on such projects.

Comments from Steve Coldrick, the head of the HSE's disease reduction programme, suggested that the use of personal protective equipment may be recommended.

He said: 'Any building built before the year 2000 may contain asbestos which is safe so long as it is left undisturbed.

'As soon as any work such as drilling or cutting takes place that may disturb the asbestos into the air maintenance workers need to take proper precautions to protect themselves against exposure.'

The HSE recently also used the recent storms across the UK to remind construction workers about the dangers of working in severe weather.