Hand Protection Hand protection is important throughout the entirety of any build, right from breaking ground to the final lick of paint. Below is a selection of hand hazards that need to be taken into consideration: Water Groundworkers need protection from wet conditions as well as those handling building products in bad weather. Cold For outdoor workers in the winter...
Employment in the construction sector has grown steadily since 2014 and is now above peak levels before the crash in 2007. Today, 9% of workers in Great Britain are employed in the construction industry, with regional variations meaning levels as high as 15% in the South East and 12% in the North West. Roles of those employed in the sector...
As alluded to throughout this guide, choosing the correct kit for business requirements needs careful consideration. However, the hard work that goes in to getting this right in the first place can be undone if PPE clothing and equipment it is left uncared for after being handed over to the end user. Over time, if left unchecked and uncared for...
EN 388 Cut Level A 2 Newtons = 203 grams to cut Ideal for: Light material handling, small parts assembly without sharp edges. EN 388 Cut Level B 5 Newtons = 509 grams to cut Ideal for: Packing, warehousing & light duty general handling. EN 388 Cut Level C 10 Newtons = 1019 grams to cut Ideal for: Light duty metal handling, Light...
By April 2019 all cut rated gloves need to be tested using the TDM-100 test introduced in the 2016 update of the Standard. But why? Over the last decade, anti-cut fibre technology has advanced to the point where the blade used in the coupe test (see graphic below) is blunted leading to inconsistent readings. The TDM-100 test is closer to...
In November 2016, the EN388 standard was updated to offer more consistent testing and as a result of the development of numerous new materials. This piece of legislation provides information about the mechanical resistance of safety gloves, based on abrasion, cut, tear and puncture resistance. It also tests impact protection. It is easy to spot gloves that conform to the...
The workplace can present many hazards for unprotected hands. From exposure to chemicals, cuts and burns, serious damage can occur if the correct glove is not worn at all times to protect skin from harm. Unsurprisingly, no single glove can provide optimal performance for every work situation. It is therefore important to carefully assess the risks involved with each task...
To ensure correct specification and reduce the risk of the wearer removing their glasses, consider the following tips 1. Environment First and foremost, start by assessing exactly what the risks are in the working environment. This will help to narrow down the potential eyewear options by determining whether you need to choose a goggle style, or a spectacle style. Depending...
Workplace eye injuries can be life changing, yet despite safety eyewear being one of the of the most important pieces of PPE, a ‘one size fits all’ approach is often wrongly taken. Eyewear is compulsory for a wide-range of sectors, but poorly specified glasses can cause the user discomfort and ultimately lead to non-compliance. For any business, the objective should...
According to a survey by Supertouch®, 49% of workers only look to replace boots once they are ‘worn out’. Worryingly, this could be dramatically reducing the protective qualities of the safety shoes, making them unfit for use and increasing the risk of injury. We therefore recommend replacing boots if there is any damage to toe caps, fastening systems or once...
