Health & Safety Update - February 2019

Health & Safety Update | february 2019

Industry News - Fire Safety - Safety & Security - Facilities Management - PPE

Managing the risk of lone working Through the right training and correct use of equipment, there are various ways employers can support lone workers to help them remain safe.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

WINTECH TESTING & CERTIFICATION One of Europe’s leading Curtain Wall, Rainscreen Cladding and Window & Door testing facilities, with decades of knowledge and experience in the façade industry.

Testing is generally undertaken in accordance

Gary Sherrard, R & D Design Engineer, of Hydro

with European and International Standards, including

Building Systems UK Limited, has had recent

CWCT (Centre for Window and Cladding Technology),

experience of testing both Windows & Doors and

and BS EN 13830:2015 Curtain Walling – Product

Curtain Wall products at Wintech’s state-of-the-art

Standard. A typical test sequence for a Curtain Walling

testing facilities in the heart of Shropshire, near

System or a Rainscreen Cladding System would

the famous Ironbridge, the Birthplace of Industry.

include the following:

When asked why Hydro Building Systems UK Limited chooses Wintech for their testing needs,

• Air Permeability

he told us “That’s an easy one, it’s the people and

• Watertightness (Static & Dynamic)

level of service they provide. Whether it’s flexible

• Wind Loading (Serviceability & Safety)

dates for testing, or finalising the test report, the

• Hose Testing

level of service from start to finish is exactly what

• Impact Testing

Hydro Building Systems UK Limited have come to

• Controlled Dismantle & Report

expect in today’s fast-paced digital environment”.

In addition to their UKAS Accredited testing services, Wintech have also developed the unique WinMark™ UKAS Accredited Certification Schemes for the Enhanced Security of Windows & Doors and the Performance of Curtain Walling & Rainscreen Cladding Products, the later scheme helps demonstrate compliance with NHBC Standard,

To find out more Testing or Certification or both, call Wintech’s friendly and highly experienced team.

T: 01952 586580

Chapter 6.9, soon to be followed by a similar scheme compliant with Premier Guarantee Technical Manual

E: testing@wintechtesting.com /

Section 7.7.5. Wintech are the only company in the UK

certification@wintechtesting.com

to offer Curtain Wall & Rainscreen Cladding Testing and Certification as a package from the same location.

W: www.wintechtesting.com

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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.

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WELCOME February 2019

Contents

23

ADVANCED PANELS

Axis EN and MxPro 5 fire panels from global systems leader, Advanced, have been certified

by FM Approvals to the EN 54 standard, becoming the first UKmanufactured fire alarm control panels to attain this accreditation

04

Industry News

12

Fire Safety

26

Facilities Management

34

Safety & Security

42

PPE

36

42

Led by highly experienced technical experts, Nortech’s courses combine hands-on practice with theoretical sessions covering real-world security issues

THE PERFECT JACKET AND TROUSER COMBINATION FOR WINTER FROM SNICKERS WORKWEAR

4 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

INDUSTRY NEWS

Expected Winter Whiteout Means Autos Should Be Checked Carrying out weekly checks on automatic doors in the run-up to the UK’s envisaged “worst winter in 70 years” is being urged by experts from GEZE UK. Weather forecasters are predicting that a polar cold snap could bring the longest whiteout Britain has seen since the 1950s – not the time to find that automatic doors are no longer working properly.

GEZE UK’s service director Steve Marshall says that ensuring doors are properly maintained and working correctly will help reduce heat loss, reduce the chances of water ingress – minimising the chance of slips or trips – and reduce carbon footprint and C02 levels into the building.

He advises estate and facilities managers to put in place weekly checks to ensure that doors open and close with maximum efficiency.

“If the doors form a secure entrance proper maintenance is essential to ensure that the door leaf or leaves close fully on to locks or magnetic locks to maintain security,” he said.

He recommends a ‘ten-point plan’ to keep doors in tip top condition. This includes:

Inspect for any loose or damaged drive arms which should be reported immediately

Making sure that any operator running tracks or the path of travel that a door follows is clear of debris including snow and grit

Visually inspect the door for any damage including breakages to glass and report immediately

Checking brush strips or sealing strips are present and in good condition Visually inspecting the operation of the door and ensuring that it opens and closes in a 20-25 second cycle time depending on the application Ensuring that the door is brought to a full close and if required engage with any locking systems Making sure that sensors are clean and free from damage Testing of any push button activation devices to ensure door opens and closes efficiently

Listen to the operation of the door any unusual ‘metal on metal’ scraping which may indicate a problem that will result in failure of the door later. Again, this should be reported immediately Visually inspect the door and identify if there is any scraping of the door directly on the floor In addition, ‘dutyholders’ need to prepare for snowy and icy conditions and minimise risk. The HSE’s Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L24 for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations notes in paragraph 96 that this might include

“gritting, snow clearing and closing off some routes, particularly outside stairs, ladders and walkways on the roof”.

Carrying out risk assessments before the bad weather arrives is the best course of action, it recommends.

Adds Steve: “Generally, weather conditions in the UK tend not to be so severe but during the winter months we should prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Carrying out this simple ten-point plan throughout the year should help keep automatic doors working at their best and keep anyone walking over our thresholds safe and secure.”

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 5

industry news

UK government seeks views on extending redundancy protection for new mothers Women who return to work after maternity leave will be better protected against redundancy under new government plans to tackle discrimination.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy (BEIS) is consulting on extending the current legal protection against dismissal for pregnant women and new mothers on maternity leave for up to six months after they return to work.

The ten-week consultation will also look at applying the same rights to parents returning from adoption and shared leave.

The proposals come after research commissioned by the BEIS in collaboration with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (ERHC) in 2016 found one woman in 19 said they had been fired or made redundant when they returned to work after having a child. In some instances, the women were treated so badly they felt forced out of their job.

The research, which is based on survey interviews with 3,254 mothers and 3,034 employers, estimated that as many as 54,000 mothers a year felt they had to leave their job. It also found that a quarter of employers thought it was reasonable during recruitment to ask female candidates about their plans

to have children. A 2017 EHRC survey of more than 1,000 decision makers in business found around one third of private sector employers believed it was acceptable to ask women about their family planning in interviews. The final report says: “[This shows] that business attitudes can be slow to change and the potential for discrimination persists at all stages of a mother’s employment journey.”

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “It’s unacceptable that too many parents still encounter difficulties when returning to work. [The] proposals are set to provide greater protection for new parents in the workplace and put their minds at ease at this important time.”

The BEIS said: “This move goes further than current EU requirements on maternity entitlements and parental leave, showing that the UK is going even further in its commitment to workers’ rights and meeting the challenges of the changing world of work.

“This follows the biggest package of workplace reforms for over 20 years that was set out by the business secretary in December 2018.”

The consultation seeks views on extending redundancy protection and how best this would be achieved.

Business minister Kelly Tolhurst said: “Pregnancy and maternity discrimination is illegal. But some new mothers still find unacceptable attitudes on their return to work which effectively forces them out of their jobs.”

Justine Roberts, founder of parent website Mumsnet, added: “[Our] users talk a lot about pregnancy and maternity discrimination and in a 2018 survey 96% of women we surveyed said having children affected mothers’ careers for the worse.

“It’s a multifaceted problem requiring a change in attitude and culture as well as legislation, but stronger legal protection is a very welcome first step.”

The consultation forms part of the government’s response to the Taylor Review, which recommended it “should review, and in any event, consolidate in one place guidance on the legislation which protects those who are pregnant or on maternity leave to bring clarity to both employers and employees”.

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

6 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

industry news

Improved electrical safety checks in private rented sector to stamp out rogue landlords Landlords that fail to ensure mandatory electrical safety inspections in private rented accommodation are carried out by qualified testers face tougher penalties under new plans announced by the UK government. scheme which inspectors and testers could choose to join.”

In July the government revealed it would mandate private landlords to arrange electrical installation safety checks every five years, with legislation to be introduced “as soon as Parliamentary time allows”.

The move requires landlords to use only inspectors that are “competent and qualified” to give tenants greater assurance that their homes are not at risk from faulty electrics.

The measures are part of the government’s attempts to improve standards in the private rented sector and are similar to those that came into force in Scotland in 2015.

Councils have also been given new powers to impose fines of up to £30,000 on rogue landlords who rent out poor quality properties.

New guidance that specifies the minimum level of qualifications and competence required for inspectors is due to be published. It will provide “clear accountability at each stage of the [inspection] process”.

Additionally, operators of existing electrical competent person registers will be invited to set up an electrical inspection scheme which inspectors can choose to join.

In its response to a consultation on electrical safety in the private rented sector, which ran from 17 February to 16 April 2018, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local

Government said: “The conclusions of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety

by Dame Judith Hackitt noted the importance of ensuring a coherent and comprehensive approach to competence with robust systems of accreditation and enforcement to ensure adequate accountability.

“We will, therefore, produce new guidance for landlords that demonstrates which qualifications provide that level of competence.

Landlords should have regard to that guidance in determining who is competent to carry out an electrical safety inspection.

“This approach will provide clear accountability at each stage of the process, of what is required and whose responsibility it is – without excessive cost and time burdens to the industry.

“It will be broadly in line with existing regulations in Scotland, ensuring consistency for landlords operating across the two countries.

“Alongside the new guidance, existing competent person scheme operators will be invited to set up an electrical inspection and testing

Under the new regulation, which will apply from 1 June, there will be a two-year transition period. In the first year the duty will affect new private tenancies only before it is extended to all existing private tenancies in the second year.

Properties with an existing electrical installation condition report (EICR) will not be required to replace it for five years from its date. For new and fully re-wired properties, an electrical installation certificate can be presented in place of an EICR provided that the date of next inspection indicated on the certificate has not elapsed.

The minister for housing and homelessness, Heather Wheeler MP, said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home.

“While measures are already in place to crack down on the small monitory of landlords who rent out unsafe properties, we need to do more to protect tenants.

“These new measures will reduce the risk of faulty electrical equipment, giving people peace of mind and helping to keep them safer in their homes.

“It will also provide clear guidance to landlords on who they should be hiring to carry out these importance electrical safety checks.”

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 7

Industry News

Safety Glasses – let’s be clear about safety standards According to RIDDOR, a loss or reduction of sight accounted for 126 of all non-fatal injuries to employees while at work in 2017/18.

Experts believe that 90% of those injuries could have been prevented with the correct safety eyewear.

The UK’s leading safety expert, Arco, is keen to increase both employers and employee’s understanding of the different safety ratings before purchasing safety glasses.

In recent years, there has been an increase of high street retailers selling prescription safety eyewear, however, without advice from qualified safety experts, employers could potentially be placing their workforce in danger.

Those procuring safety glasses, whether that’s the employer or the employees themselves, need to be aware of the level of protection they require. In order to do this, employers should be completing a comprehensive risk assessment as different industries and applications require different impact and chemical protection levels and briefing those that are responsible for purchasing the safety glasses.

To ensure employers are fully protecting their workforce, they should make themselves aware of the protection ratings under BS EN 166:2001: •

S offering the least amount of protection and no impact protection

•

F offering the lowest level of impact protection

•

B offers a mid-range impact protection

•

A offering the highest-level protection against speed projectiles

Arco’s Director of QSHE UK & Asia, Neil Hewitt advises: “The thing to remember is that high street retailers and opticians aren’t personal protective equipment (PPE) professionals – and this becomes clear if the focus is around the cost and style rather than the key safety

high street opticians, ensure employees understand what rating they are required to specify during the ordering process. Those working in an opticians may not be trained to understand the safety UK regulations so, therefore, won’t be able to offer expert safety advice regarding different working conditions.

aspects. The lack of understanding of the PPE regulations and standards requirements can put workers at risk of serious, life altering accidents. It is essential that those purchasing or wearing safety glasses are getting the correct protection that they need for the hazards that they are exposed to” Neil Hewitt also advises that high street safety glasses cannot meet all the requirements for different applications required

by EN 166:2001 for high speed impacts. Workers who require both high impact protection above the absolute minimum level of protection and prefer prescription safety glasses will need to also be provided with over goggles and face screens – advice such as this often isn’t offered at many high street retailers as this is not normally part of their product offer and they may not be aware of the full extent of the EN166 product safety standard: “Spectacle type eyewear can only be certified to EN166, level F, which is the lowest impact requirement and not suitable for those using high speed power tools or machining equipment. It’s concerning that high street retailers often don’t relay this message to customers, meaning workers think they are fully protected when in fact they could be far from it.”

To offer UK businesses additional information when purchasing safety glasses, Arco experts have created the following easy Step by Step guide: •

Complete a risk assessment: Employers need to carry out a risk assessment that clearly identities which rating employees require, as well as identifying whether they will require over-goggles.

•

Equip staff with safety information: If not purchasing prescription safety eyewear from safety experts but instead

•

Check the markings on the glasses: Many employees and employers aren’t aware what the marking on the glasses mean. If employers are worried about the glasses that have been provided to their workforce, they can easily check the letters on the lenses to check for the ratings.

See below graphic for guidance.

•

Think about where you buy your safety glasses from: Safety equipment should be procured from safety specialists. This means the correct advice is being conveyed and the risk of serious injury is reduced.

For more information regarding Arco’s prescription safety eyewear range or for advice about choosing the correct product to suit your employees’ needs, please contact your local Arco branch.

To learn more about Arco, please visit www.arco.co.uk

8 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

industry news

Jersey landmark should be closed as a sports venue on safety grounds, report finds Fort Regent in Jersey’s capital St Helier should be closed as a sports and entertainment venue after an independent report identified safety issues.

The nineteenth century fortification and leisure complex on Mont de la Ville was described as a “ticking time bomb” about to go off, according to a report for the States of Jersey (the government of the British Crown dependency) by consultancy Knight, Kavanagh & Page (KKP).

Jersey’s Bailiwick Express reported that the review advised the States of Jersey to close the fort and deliver a new purposebuilt wet and dry sports centre by 2027.

The 68-page report, which was completed in November 2018 and published on 22 January, identified significant safety challenges with the deteriorating site.

According to the Jersey Evening Post, concerns over the future of the facility have grown following several scares, including asbestos – which led to parts of the fort being temporarily closed last summer – and Legionella bacteria.

The report said: “The general sporting offer at Fort Regent is simply not fit for purpose. It faces numerous specific challenges in relation to the condition, configuration and scale of the facility.

“From a presentation perspective, the facility smells damp, it is very cold in the winter and far too warm in the summer.

It is generally poorly presented, faces significant customer access and control issues and it would appear to be a ‘ticking time bomb’ of potential asset management and health and safety challenges.”

The Bailiwick Express added that, even if the States chose not to follow the report’s recommendations to close the venue, KKP warns that Fort Regent may be forced to close regardless should any of its facilities worsen.

MP calls for low letterbox ban to cut posties’ back strain Letter boxes that are placed close to the ground should be banned in new homes to avoid postal workers straining their backs and being bitten by dogs, an MP has said.

Vicky Ford, the MP for Chelmsford, has proposed a new bill that would amend the UK Building Regulations to prohibit developers from constructing “swathes” of properties with letterboxes at the bottom of their front doors.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Ford said: “Back injury is the primary cause of sickness in Royal Mail. Royal Mail has introduced better trolleys and training schemes to improve how staff lift, but despite this, last year it recorded over 16,800 back-related absence spells.

“The act of having to bend or stoop to deliver mail to low letterboxes is a significant factor and it cannot be overlooked. The occasional low-

level letterbox is not a big issue but where developers fit row after row of front doors with anklehigh letterboxes, deliverers face repetitive stress.”

Low letterboxes also increase the risk of dog bites, Ford added.

“Each week across the UK there are, on average, 44 dog attacks on postal workers and every year there are 50 attacks from cats. Low-level letterboxes are much more difficult for deliverers to see, resulting in more hand injuries.”

She called for all new letterboxes to be installed at a minimum height of 70 cm. The Republic of Ireland banned all low-level letterboxes in 2001.

Government’s plan to safeguard workers’ rights after Brexit is ‘cynical’, says GMB The GMB trade union has said the UK government’s proposal to support a Labour amendment to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill on workers’ rights is “unenforceable” and “nothing more than a cynical attempt to buy off MPs”.

Prime minister Theresa May is said to be considering supporting the amendment which would enshrine protection of the rights and standards relating to health and safety and employment, as well as the environment.

It would also allow MPs a vote on whether to adopt EU protections if they are strengthened in the future.

The move is an attempt to gain support from Labour Brexiteers ahead of Tuesday’s “meaningful vote” on the withdrawal agreement.

The bill could be voted down by more than 430 MPs, with only 206 ready to support it.

The amendment was put forward

by John Mann, the Labour MP for Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire,

and has the support of his fellow members Caroline Flint, Lisa Nandy and Gareth Snell.

During a debate in the House of Commons yesterday (10 January), Flint said: “As this amendment proposes, the UK’s goal post-Brexit should be to ensure that workers’ rights do not slip back – that the rights enjoyed by many British employees are protected.”

Shell added: “The amendment is one way of achieving unity. It by no means solves everything, and it will not remove a number of the concerns that I still have about the vote on Tuesday, but if we can use it as a starting point after that vote, I hope we will have achieved something better.”

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 9

GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

Graphic messages Need to get that important safety message across without going to the extreme of painting your warehouse floor?

Well Beaverswood have the simple and cost effective answer, by using their Graphic floor markers – these highly visible markers are designed to highlight warnings or special requirements. They are suitable for use on dry, clean flat sealed surfaces and although designed for the floor, the markers can be used on walls or anywhere a tough permanent sign is required. The range has just recently been extended to include 8 new graphics, with many of these also available with French and German text.

Special designs can also be printed to suit the customer’s specific needs.

Each of the large (430mm diameter) signs are printed onto the underside of a clear PVC film and then laminated on the back surface with an aggressive permanent adhesive.

These tough signs have been designed to withstand the everyday traffic of a fully operational warehouse.

Beaverswood the complete identification solutions provider also provides other floor marking items to compliment this range other products such as floor signalling, floor Location Labels and Floor Identification Markers. These products allow the user to highlight walkways, traffic flow, pallet positions, alpha or numerical number positions. Coupled with the ability to produce bespoke floor labelling Beaverswood offer the complete one stop shop.

Don’t leave things to chance emphasise that important safety message and delineate areas of the warehouse floor for all to understand.

They are consistently adding new designs including ones with French and German text on them. To see their full range of 38 standard designs as well as other floor marking and identification and visual products contact Beaverswood to obtain your free catalogue, general sample pack Beaverswood Supply Co Ltd, Tel 0118 9796096, Fax 0118 9795715 e-mail sales@beaverswood.co.uk Web www.beaverswood.co.uk

10 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Warehouse Labelling and Identification Systems By jim Roberts

The management of any warehouse/stores needs an effective labelling and identification system, stock needs to be identified and in its rightful place in order to maximise order picking and minimise costly errors. Beaverswood can offer a one stop shop for all your warehouse labelling and identification needs.

It is understood that many order pickers working in an environment where an in-effective system operates waste a large proportion of their time trying to pick goods that are not in their rightful place.

This also leads to an increase in picking errors these errors hurt every aspect of the business as not only does it lead to having to re-process the order sometimes involving credits, re-invoices and re-despatch taking up lots of precious time it could also lower customer retention.

For many SME’s having a full blown barcoded order picking system isn’t feasible due to the costs and as a result most business retain their existing systems which often become antiquated as a result of changes in product, market fluctuations and warehouses practices. A small outlay to produce a labelling system can help in

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 11

achieving lower picking times, lower errors and often help in increasing customer satisfaction and retention.

Looking purely at cost saving lets use a typical example of an industrial goods re-seller averaging 50 orders a day with an average order value of £75.00 (£3750.00) His order picking errors are 3% (1.5 orders per day) with all the associated costs to correct these orders running at £40 per order. 1.5 orders x £40 =£60 – per day x 20 working days a month x 12 months = a yearly cost of £14,400. By having a more efficient system and reducing order picking rates down to 0.5% which would equate to 0.25 orders per day (£40 x 0.25 x 20 days x 12 months) would give a total cost of £2,400. Not only therefore is there a direct saving of £12,000 achieved in the first year but also it would equate to an extra 300 orders being delivered correctly to the customer, a true double edge sword by reducing costs and improving customer retention.

As well as having an effective labelling system, legislation states that you must warn staff/visitors of hazards within the premises.

According to statistics one worker is killed every six weeks and many more injured as a direct result of forklift accidents. Having set pedestrianised routes/areas and visible forklift warning signs will help reduce the likelihood of any incidents occurring. Our floor marking range can be found here FLOOR MARKERS

To further aid demarcation products such as floor signalling can be used which help highlight walkways, traffic flow, pallet positions and general marking on the warehouse floor. Available in a choice of 6 colours these floor labels are a simple but effective solution for floor marking.

Over the last few years there has been a significant growth in company’s adopting 5S and LEAN manufacturing policy’s, The 5S focus is on Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain.

Company’s adopting these policy’s achieve higher operational results by sustaining a productive work environment, reduce waste, help lower accidents and lower unplanned downtime.

To manage warehouse waste and maintain 5S standards adding Racksacks to the end of racking help waste segregation, promotes a cleaner green environment with less clutter/waste products being on the floor possibly leading to lower accidents.The racksacks are available in 14 standard designs and can also be produced with special prints/logos/design. Due to legislation that became effective in 2015 all waste producers must follow a hierarchy to re-cycle or re-use as much of their waste as possible and any waste that can not be must be segregated before being passed to waste collectors.

These products can be purchased through many industrial distributors for further details on the nearest supplier and to obtain more information on labeling and identification products contact Beaverswood Supply Co Ltd, 0118 9796096, sales@beaverswood.co.uk

12 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

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HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 15

Fire safety

AICO ALARM INTERFACE

USED IN HIGH RISK FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS Fire safety start-up company Lite4Life has adopted Aico’s unique Ei414 Fire / Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Interface into its Multiwatch tower block fire safety system and AlightforLife Directional Way Finder Safety Light.

The Ei414 is being used to alert these systems in the event of an activation from Aico Fire and CO Alarms. In the case of AlightforLife it activates LEDS pointing to the nearest exit.

Andy Cunningham, Managing Director of Lite4Life, selected the Ei414 based on its ability and Aico’s reputation in the marketplace: “It is so much more user friendly than anything else on the market. We are finding that using the Ei414 to send messages and signals to report on alarm status at the earliest opportunity gives us valuable minutes in the protection of people and property from a potential devastating fire. The recent Hackitt report for High Risk Residential Buildings (HRRB), recommends that high risk buildings are to be managed and our product, using the Ei414, can provide the solution for many of the points identified

by Dame Judith Hackitt. We at Lite4life, feel it archaic to rely on a member of the public to notify the fire rescue services, often after the fire has been alight for some time. A fundamental change must be highlighted in the way we can approach fire protection in high rise residential buildings and Aico go a long way in supporting our vision.

“All of our future projects, including those addressing the HRRB standard, will be using Aico products. We are aligning ourselves with tried and tested companies to deliver demonstrable cost saving with innovation. Working with Aico has been fantastic; with our relationship with Andy Speake [National Technical Manager] and the Regional Specification Managers, why would we use anyone else?”

The Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface from Aico provides a dedicated connection between Aico Smoke and CO Alarms and third party safety systems. It is frequently used to connect alarms to Telecare/Warden Call systems, Sprinkler systems and BS5839 Part 1 panel based Fire Alarm systems. The connection can be made wirelessly with Aico’s award winning RadioLINK Radio Frequency (RF) technology or hard wired directly between the two devices.

The Ei414 can be powered directly from the mains or from a 12-24V DC supply and has builtin tamper-proof rechargeable

Lithium Cells which will power the device in the event of any mains failure. Reliable, easy to install and use, it features a ‘test’ setting to test the entire system including a signal being transmitted to the third party system.

Aico, an Ei company, is the market leader in residential fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations.

For more information please visit www.aico.co.uk or contact Aico on 01691 664100 or email enquiries@aico.co.uk.

16 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Fire Safety

Bull takes site safety to new heights with launch of SiteHub Bull Products, a manufacturer of life-saving fire protection equipment, has introduced a new innovative product which will heighten site safety on construction sites.

Developed specially for the construction industry, SiteHub is an all-in-one meeting point, notice board and emergency station for fire, first aid and health and safety equipment for any site.

Built to last, SiteHub is weatherproof thanks to the anti-corrosive coating. It is selfsupporting and has a highly visible red finish to ensure all workers can quickly locate and access equipment in an emergency.

The Sitehub is double sided for maximum functionality and can be moved around site by a forklift or telehandler.

It can be equipped with a lockable metal cabinet for secure storage of assets as well as castor wheels that enable the unit to be moved easily around site by hand if required.

Bradley Markham, director at Bull Products, says: “Here at Bull, our ambition is to develop products that will protect workers when they come face-to-face with potential hazards on site.

“We believe that SiteHub will save time, take site safety to the next level, and most importantly,

ensure workers are protected around the clock. We are looking forward to seeing our latest innovation take off in the market.”

For more information about the SiteHub, contact Bull on 01432 806 806 or visit www.bullproducts.co.uk

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 17

Fire Safety

Crossrail and railway fire safety Wrightstyle is a leading UK steel and aluminium glazing company that has supplied systems for transportation projects in Hong Kong, Dubai and the UK. Wrightstyle’s marketing director Jane Embury looks at railway station fire safety.

W

rightstyle is completing work on six Crossrail stations, reflecting our expertise in transportation projects, with other recent completions across the UK, Dubai and Hong Kong.

The final Crossrail element will be at Paddington station for which are fabricating bonded doors and screens.

We also supplied a range of fire-rated doors, screens and curtain walling to Bond Street, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and Woolwich stations.

The line, which was originally expected to fully open at the end of 2018, will increase London’s rail capacity by 10% when it is fully operational – perhaps at the end of this year.

The Elizabeth Line will have 40 stations, including ten new stations,

with up to 24 trains running each hour in both directions on its 100 kilometre route.

Wrightstyle has recently completed a number of other prestigious transportation projects, both in the UK and internationally, including a major railway hub in Hong Kong, the Dubai metro and the iconic frontage of London’s King’s Cross station.

The fire safety measures being installed on the Elizabeth Line are state-of-the-art, reflecting modern fire safety regulations and advances in building materials – including our own fire systems.

Significant fires in railway stations are mercifully rare – and that, more than anything, speaks volumes for how far fire safety has progressed over recent years.

The last major railway station fire in the UK was at Nottingham in January last year, causing significant disruption and a repair bill of at least

£2 million. It’s believed that the fire was started deliberately.

Also last year, trains caught fire while at Plymouth and Grantham stations, similar incidents to others recently at London’s Victoria station and at Sevenoaks in Kent.

In each incident, the station was evacuated, the fire contained, and nobody was hurt. But not all station fires have happy endings. The worst modern station fire disaster, in 2003, was at Daegu Station in South Korea in which 192 people died.

Of particular concern was how badly the station’s fire compartmentation systems were designed. Instead of containing the fire, but allowing people to escape, the system closed fire shutters and smoke barriers – effectively concentrating the heat into places from which people were desperately trying to escape.

It was a reminder of the King’s Cross disaster which fire claimed the lives of 31 people in 1987, and which was probably started by a discarded match or dropped cigarette on an escalator, underlining how most major accidental fires start from something almost insignificant.

All Wrightstyle systems are tested as one compatible unit and, as we always emphasise to architects and designers, based on our extensive fire, ballistic and bomb testing experience, the glass and steel components should always be specified as one integrated and tested assembly.

The glass will only be as good as its framing system, or vice versa, and if one fails, both fail, with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Crossrail may be late and overbudget, but with advanced safety systems in place, including our own, it will be safe.

18 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

INDUSTRY NEWS

USING ONLINE SCHEDULING AND WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS TO TRANSFORM HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTIONS England’s largest not-for-profit provider of care and housing to older people, Anchor, is working with field service management specialist Kirona to transform health and safety management in its sheltered housing schemes.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 19

INDUSTRY NEWS

As part of Anchor’s health and safety management operations, its 781 field-based workforce is required to carry out regular inspections on all communal areas and assets throughout each scheme. For example, hot water taps in communal kitchens and bathrooms need to be safety checked, and cold water tanks must have regular temperature tests to control the risk of Legionella growth.

The company needed a solution to replace its current paper-based processes that would enable them to create digital schedules for inspections and manage mobile operations in its schemes. Following a successful pilot with Kirona, Anchor has chosen to complete a wider-roll out of Kirona’s Job Manager scheduling software and InfoSuite analytics software to each of its schemes.

During the course of the successful pilot, Kirona’s Job Manager was used to hold the programme of inspections, generating checks on a periodic basis (daily, weekly and monthly) for field-based staff more efficiently, with real-time visibility of jobs available to Anchor’s managers and mobile officers ensuring that inspections are carried out on time. Kirona’s Job Manager mobile software guides staff through the full lifecycle of specific inspections, from generation, allocation to completion.

Inspections drop onto officer’s devices with specific details of what should be included in the inspection and when it should be completed by.

Anchor is planning a wider roll out of Kirona’s Job Manager and InfoSuite to the rest of its schemes.

Kirona will be working alongside longstanding partner Northgate Public Services for this this phase of the project.

InfoSuite will provide managerial staff with real-time actionable

Neil Harvey, CTO of Kirona insights into operations in each scheme and visibility of key analytics. When an inspection has been carried out, managerial staff will be able to immediately see that the job has been completed and what the results are. InfoSuite will also provide the company with access to regular reports showing what jobs are due over a certain period and their progress. At the end of this period, management teams can immediately identify if a scheme has failed to complete particular inspections and ensure that they are carried out to prevent risk.

Neil Harvey, CTO of Kirona said: “Anchor is a proactive housing association that had a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve. We were delighted to provide a versatile solution that will transform its health and safety management operations and meet the needs of its housing schemes now and in the future.”

Howard Nankivell, Housing Operations Director at Anchor said: “Traditionally our inspection schedules and reports were all paper-based and stored locally.

If an incident occurred, we would have to manually search for the relevant forms to identify the most recent safety checks, which was very time consuming.

By introducing innovative management and scheduling solutions from Kirona, we will be able to monitor scheme inspections in more detail and ensure that they are completed accurately and on time.”

Kirona.com

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 21

Fire safety

RAISING IMPORTANCE OF FIRE DOOR SAFETY Fire Doors and the protection that they offer to buildings and users continues to be an area that is vastly under represented, particularly in older buildings.

Intastop Ltd, a leading manufacturer of products to protect wall, doors and people continues to drive forward innovation and engagement in this area to promote best practice and encourage responsibility and awareness.

“Fire Doors have become a topic of much discussion in the last 18 months and yet, it is still apparent that not enough importance is given to the significant impact they can have on protecting building users and the fabric of the building too,” said Phil Barsby Business Development Director Intastop Ltd. “They are the first line of defence and a physical barrier between fire, smoke and harm coming to building occupants and as part of a building’s Passive fire protection system they are at their simplest designed to save lives and protect property.”

It is a requirement that fire doors are fitted to all public buildings, offices and factories. However, due to neglect, reduced specifications and lack of maintenance on the doors they have, in some situations, become an area of concern with their integrity compromised. As a result we, and businesses that we work alongside the BWF (British Woodworking Federation) are striving to drive improvements and raise standards not only through manufacturing, but through certification procedures.

To support fire door safety Intastop has developed a range of products that meet high standards of fire protection and that are suitable for inclusion in doorsets or to be used independently. These include vision panels, hinges, door protection products, door edge guards and post-formed doors and frames.

“It is important for facilities managers and maintenance teams to ensure the correct doors are specified and that they are maintained appropriately,” said Phil. “We are encouraging all those who fit fire doors to choose doorsets where every element is fire tested and certified and that regular, scheduled checks are carried out to ensure the integrity of the door is not compromised.”

Whilst in the past fire doors have been a significant area of neglect, the future does not have a place for this type of approach any longer and the Intastop team will continue to educate, share information and develop products to ensure that our buildings are safer places to be.

Further information about Intastop and its range of fire door safety products can be found by visiting www.intastop.com

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 23

Safety & Security

Advanced Panels Recognised with FM Approvals Diamond Mark Axis EN and MxPro 5 fire panels from global systems leader, Advanced, have been certified by FM Approvals to the EN 54 standard, becoming the first UK-manufactured fire alarm control panels to attain this accreditation

The FM APPROVED diamond is one of the most prestigious certification marks in the world.

It is issued by FM Approvals, a member of the FM Global Group, for products that adhere to the highest property conservation standards in quality, technical integrity and performance. It is a mark of quality and performance that is relevant for any engineer, specifier or building owner wishing to install fire systems that meet the highest property conservation standards.

Advanced’s products lead the market in performance, quality and ease-of-use and the company has been at the forefront of standards leadership for decades across many of the 80 countries it operates in.

As well as holding FM Approval for EN54 Parts 2 & 4, the Axis EN and MxPro 5 fire panels were among the first to obtain EN54

Part 13 from VdS. The FM Approval of Advanced’s fire panels also included an inspection of Advanced’s manufacturing sites as it moves into its state-ofthe-art HQ in Newcastle in the North East of England.

The MxPro 5 and Axis EN labels and branding are being updated with the FM certification in early 2019.

John Newton, Head of Products at Advanced, said: “Receiving FM Approval for our Axis EN and MxPro 5 fire panels is a proud moment for everyone at Advanced and is significant for all of our customers and partners.

It further differentiates Advanced as a business that has achieved high standards in fire systems quality, technical integrity and performance globally.

That difference is significant, and it means that companies across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa now have access to our industryleading range of MxPro 5 and Axis EN products.”

The MxPro 5 multiprotocol panel and Axis EN systems panel are certified to EN54 Parts 2, 4 & 13 and come in one-to-eightloop variants as standard, with further custom build options available. Both product ranges are easily configured into high speed, 200-panel networks, covering huge areas with tens of thousands of field devices.

They include high performance features such as Advanced’s complete false alarm reduction software, AlarmCalm, and TouchControl, Advanced’s control and touchscreen repeaters that feature Active Maps and zone plans.

Advanced are specified from the smallest to the largest buildings globally including in some of the most prestigious developments such as; The Shard in London, Abu Dhabi’s International Airport and Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia.

FM Approvals is an international leader in third-party testing and certification services for property loss prevention products and services for use in commercial and industrial facilities to verify they meet rigorous loss prevention standards of quality, technical integrity and performance.

FM Approvals employs a worldwide certification process that is backed by scientific research and testing, and over a century of experience. The FM APPROVED mark is recognized and respected worldwide.

Advanced’s Axis EN and MxPro 5 fire panels are now listed in FM Approvals’ on-line Approval Guide which houses real-time information about tens of thousands of products and services certified by FM Approvals.

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, multisite networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR - MOVE TO REDUCE AMMONIA EMMISSIONS IN FARMING A ‘STEP FORWARD’ FOR AIR QUALITY, SAYS BUREAU VERITAS Amid ongoing pleas for tougher action to improve air quality, Bureau Veritas has stated government plans to tackle pollution from farming is a ‘step forward’ in cutting ammonia gas and harmful particulates.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 25

INDUSTRY NEWS

Published last month by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Clean Air Strategy 2019 is the UK’s flagship policy for addressing poor air quality, which is the leading environmental risk to human health in the UK responsible for up to 36,000 deaths each year1.

For the first time, the strategy includes a greater focus on reducing particulate matter such as PM2.5 – a pollutant linked to lung and heart damage2 – and sets out ambitious plans to reduce ammonia emissions from farming, which accounts for a high proportion of PM2.5 concentrations in the UK. Overall, the government has also committed to halving the number of people living in locations with high PM2.5 concentrations by 2025.

Jamie Clayton, Principal Air Quality Consultant at Bureau Veritas, explains: “Poor air quality is currently one of the greatest threats to public health. And the farming sector accounts for 88% of the ammonia emissions in the UK3, often released during the storage and spreading of manures and slurries, and from the application of inorganic fertilisers.

“Historically, most air quality improvement measures have never targeted agriculture or indeed rural areas. However, the government’s

pledge to cut PM2.5 concentrations, of which ammonia emissions are a significant contributor, is a welcome step forward in tackling the level of harmful particulates in the air.

The move will require policymakers to work closely with the farming community to limit damaging levels of PM2.5 through the effective reduction of ammonia emissions in agricultural processes.”

The comments come amid mounting criticism that the Clean Air Strategy does not go far enough in tackling road traffic emissions4, which still accounts for the bulk of Britain’s air pollution.

Jamie said: “Reducing PM2.5 concentrations to WHO guideline levels certainly requires a new way of thinking about air quality improvement measures, and the strategy has hinted at potential new legislation to target particulate emissions from tyres and brakes from road transport, which would previously have been seen as not worth considering compared to tailpipe emissions.”

The leading testing, inspection and certification firm added that changing consumer behaviour will start to play a greater a role in improving air quality, particularly in addressing exposure to toxins in the home.

Jamie adds: “Another area gaining traction is how to reduce exposure to toxins at home. In addition to the much publicised particulate and sulphur dioxide emissions from burning wood and coal, there are increasing concerns over non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), a harmful chemical found in carpets, upholstery, paint, cleaning products, personal care products and even scented candles.

“The government is now calling for better labelling of products containing NMVOCs to raise public awareness the need to increase ventilation when using such products to prevent the harmful build-up of emissions. Changing consumer behaviour in this way is a central tenet of the Clean Air Strategy and promoting personal responsibility for ’doing our bit’ will only help to ensure the air we breathe is clean and safe for generations to come.”

Bureau Veritas offers a team of air quality experts committed to providing best practice consultancy support for customers around how to assess and manage air pollutant emissions to ensure compliance, whilst maintaining economic feasibility. For further information, call 0345 600 1828 or visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk

Visit mccue.com/uk call 01908 365511 email UKsales@mccue.com

www.durable-uk.com

10 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Industry News

Construction firms targeted in new health inspections Construction firms across Great Britain will be targeted on their health standards by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

These inspections will be the first time the regulator has targeted the industry with a specific focus on respiratory risks and occupational lung disease, looking at the measures businesses have in place to protect their workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica and wood dust.

Inspectors will be visiting construction businesses and sites across the country throughout October and will specifically be looking for evidence of construction workers knowing the risks, planning their work and using the right controls, and if necessary will use enforcement to ensure people are protected.

HSE’s Peter Baker, chief inspector of construction said: “Around 100 times as many workers die from diseases caused or made worse by their work than are killed in construction accidents. Annually, work-related cancers,

mainly linked to asbestos and silica, are estimated to kill 3,500 people from the industry. Thousands of others suffer life-changing illnesses from their work. Not all lung diseases take years to develop. Some, like acute silicosis or occupational asthma, can occur more quickly.

“As a result, we’ve launched this inspection initiative to find out what exactly businesses in the construction industry are doing today to protect their workers’ health, particularly when it comes to exposure to dust and damage to lungs.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 29

facilities managment

“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

Contact us at rics.org/charteredfm and charteredfm@rics.org

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 31

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

ERA LAUNCHES LOCKDOWN – EMERGENCY DOOR SECURITY Leading home security specialist, ERA, has launched Lockdown, the UK’s first emergency barricade device designed to provide high performance security in the event of a threatening situation.

ERA’s Lockdown product is designed for use in commercial/ community settings with high footfall from schools and hospitals to travel hubs, offices, workplaces, hotels, shopping centres and leisure/ tourist attractions including theatres, cinemas, pubs, bars and restaurants.

intruders and creating a safe hiding place for civilians in the event of an attack.

Lockdown is simple and easy to fit (no fumbling with keys or padlocks) making doors inaccessible to

ERA’s Group Marketing and Innovation Director, Will Butler, said; “Sadly, we now live in a world where terror isn’t a distant menace, it can

Robust and lightweight, Lockdown is available for both single and double doors, whether inward or outward swinging and fitted with or without traditional locks.

strike at the heart of our community.

Public and businesses are being advised by the government and associated bodies to be extra vigilant and pre-plan how they might react if caught up in a threatening situation.

The over-arching advice being to RUN, HIDE, TELL and when hiding, barricade yourself in.

“For example, we are seeing dummy-runs in schools where pupils are being taught what to do in certain scenarios and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) has updated safety advice for employees suggesting that they develop dynamic lockdown procedures and use secondary devices for ‘invacuation’ rather than evacuation to barricade people in a room safely and keep the external threat out.

“Here at ERA, community safety is at the heart of our products, so we are very pleased by the overwhelmingly positive response received at the Security and Counter Terror Expo at London’s Olympia earlier this year.”

Tested to PAS24 impact resistance standards, single door Lockdown fits doors from 650mm-1100mm width, weighs 4kg and takes seconds to fit.

The double door option fits doors up to 60mm, weighs 1.6kg and again takes seconds to create a secure barricade to outside entry. Pricing for the Lockdown varies and depends on numbers and configurations required.

For further information on ERA Lockdown and other security solutions, visit www.eraeverywhere.com.

Interested parties should contact the sales team on 01922 490 000 or email info@eraeverywhere.com.

32 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

INDUSTRY NEWS

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 33

INDUSTRY NEWS

Donations are in the bag for

British Heart Foundation TC Facilities Management (TCFM) have created a national charity partnership to help the British Heart Foundation achieve its aim of beating heartbreak forever. The partnership commenced 6 weeks ago and has set its sights on raising £5K of funds for the charity that conducts groundbreaking research in to heart and circulatory diseases and their causes.

Heart and circulatory diseases kill 1 in 4 people in the UK, causing heart break in every street. Fiona Ellingham, Marketing Manager, TCFM has had a number of family members affected by heart conditions including a niece who required a heart transplant aged just 5 and a brother who thanks to a special pacemaker, his heart is able to maintain a stable rhythm to keep him alive.

“Speaking with other colleagues at TCFM, it became very apparent that I was not alone in having family members affected and so the partnership was born.

collected more than 50 of the 300 (minimum) bags of items we’re aiming for.

At the moment, our colleagues are busy having clear outs at home and filling bags with unwanted items that can be sold in the BHF stores across the country.

In the last 6 weeks colleagues from all over the country have

We have a number of other activities planned through the year that will not only raise funds for BHF but will also train people in how to do CPR, something which saved my brother’s life over 2 years ago.”

Tony Reed, CEO of TCFM said, “We are delighted to have formed this charity partnership with BHF. Having helped them raise funds for their life-saving research through the specialist cleaning services we offer in their Furniture and Electrical stores, we wanted to be able to do something more by our whole team getting involved. It’s been particularly pleasing to see how some of our customers have committed to get involved with us too.

We’re confident that we will be able to meet our TCFM £5K challenge target for this year and are proud to be playing our part in helping the BHF beat heartbreak forever.”

www.tcfm.co.uk

34 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

SAFETY & SECURITY

JACKSONS FENCING SEAMLESSLY TRANSITIONS TO ISO 9001:2015 Ensuring the firm maintains LPCB Security Ratings

U

K security fencing manufacturer Jacksons Fencing has recently completed its transition to the most up-to-date version of the international quality management standard ISO 9001:2015 with certified accreditation from BRE Global, a UKAS accredited certification body.

This ensures Jacksons Fencing retains its Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) approval, LPS 1175, for its SR1 to SR5 Security Rated products. Only companies that have secured ISO 9001are eligible to have items Security Rated by the LPCB. The LPCB’s LPS 1175 Security Rated certification is only awarded to products and systems that meet and surpass rigorous standards and perform effectively.

These are assessed and awarded against a scale ranging from SR1 for lower risk security applications such as those required by schools, to SR3 and above for sites facing the highest levels of risk.

Cris Francis, Head of Security Sales at Jacksons Fencing, comments: “Security products have to offer peace of mind and provide maximum protection against intruders. When specifying perimeter security and access control solutions, the guarantee of a scheme such as the LPCB’s offers independent third party assurance that products have undergone rigorous testing.

To secure LPCB Security Rating, only the best-managed firms with the most robust quality control are allowed to apply. This is demonstrated in part by the achievement of the international quality management award, ISO 9001:2015.”

Jacksons Fencing has over 80 LPCB Security Rated products available across a wide range of SR rated categories, ensuring the company is able to deliver

integrated perimeter and access control solutions for a wide range of security requirements and to cater for a variety of risk levels. The company offers fencing products including vertical bar, mesh, timber and timber and steel combination as well as security gates. Beyond this, Jacksons Fencing is the only company currently offering an SR5, single layer fence system. This is the highest SR level achieved by a fencing system.

Jacksons’ Director Andy Tune states: “There is a clear link between our relentless focus on top quality manufacturing and superb customer service. Our rigorous quality and customer feedback processes have been included within our ISO 9001:2015 management system accreditation. This, combined with an expert, professional team, means we are well placed to service a growing and understandably demanding customer base into the future.”

Quality Manager Liz Warren adds: “We are very pleased to have successfully transitioned to the revised standard and found the process particularly constructive in driving forward quality initiatives.”

Francis concludes: “Jacksons is committed to meeting the changing demands of perimeter security and we have invested heavily in ensuring we have solutions that can be employed in the highest security situations.

“Beyond our investment in new products we, always look to innovate continually in everything we do. Part of this involves external assessment and auditing our internal processes and approaches against the leading international standards. The ISO 9001:2015 management system accreditation proves that our internal systems are a match with the world’s largest organisations. ” Jacksons Fencing designs and manufactures the highest quality perimeter and access control solutions in the UK and its team of technical and engineering experts are readily available to provide support to the most complex and challenging perimeter security projects.

For more information visit www.jacksons-security.co.uk or contact security@jacksons-fencing.co.uk.

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

36 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Safety & Security

Nortech People and vehicle access control specialist Nortech’s technical training courses have been specially designed to make sure that installers/ system integrators are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to install, maintain and troubleshoot Nortech systems.

Led by highly experienced technical experts, Nortech’s courses combine hands-on practice with theoretical sessions covering real-world security issues and take place at the company’s dedicated training facility in South Wales.

Nortech is committed to providing an outstanding customer experience with its products and services. As part of this commitment, it offers a range of in-depth training in access control, readers and ID devices, and long range identification, ideal for those with sound knowledge and experience in people and vehicle access systems. The courses are: •

The Nortech products overview, which focuses on Nortech’s access control products, card readers, ID devices, long range identification, vehicle counting and parking management products.

•

Access Control. The modules cover the access control products, Norpass installation and Nortech Reader Interface installation. The final module progresses into the installation and configuration of NRI products.

•

Long range identification training begins with vehicle tagging and ANPR systems.

Other modules in the programme discuss the installation and configuration of the ANPR, uPASS and Transit ranges.

•

Vehicle detection and parking training includes learning about Nortech’s popular Feemaster Smart and the company’s counting and count management products. The installation and configuration of the Feemaster Smart Console, entry and exit stations and an overview of the inductive loop detector operation, applications and set up of Nortech’s parking detectors are all included.

•

Readers and ID devices installation training for each reader and ID device supported by Nortech is also available.

Training is free to all existing account customers. In addition, every participant will receive a comprehensive pack of product specifications, application notes and a certificate of completion. For more information on upcoming training days and the topics mentioned, visit www.nortechcontrol.com/support/training/ 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

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 39

safety & security

DANLERS range of popular Outdoor Security Switches just got better!

•

IP66 Compact Person Detector with both improved time lag options and upgraded photocell range of 10-1000 lux together with a new photocell inactive feature.

•

IP66 Twilight Switch turns lights ON from Dusk to Dawn.

•

New IP66 Twilight Switch featuring DANLERS ‘Intelligent photocell’ which reduces risk of hunting and over illumination.

•

IP66 Dusk Switch with new ‘Intelligent photocell’ and LED feedback for determining time on duration from 2-16 hrs. Switches lights on for a timed duration and resets itself when enough light is available ensuring lights are not left on unnecessarily.

DANLERS Outdoor Security Switches are neat and compact and now benefit from an IP66 rated polycarbonate enclosure.

All products are UK manufactured and covered by DANLERS 5 year warranty.

Tel: 01249 443377 - Fax: 01249 443388 Email: sales@danlers.co.uk - Website: www.danlers.co.uk

40 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Managing the risk Through the right training and correct use of equipment, there are various ways employers can support lone workers to help them remain safe. Here, Matthew Bailey, Divisional Manager for Inspection and Certification at HCL Safety explores how to minimise risks for those working alone at height.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines a lone worker as someone who works by themselves without close or direct supervision. The number of lone workers across the UK is on the rise. In fact, over 8 million people are estimated to be lone workers, and not just within roles which involve work at height.

According to the HSE, almost one third of fatal injuries affect those self-employed and working in construction.

The construction industry alone is responsible for a shocking 59% of falls – and while the industry is working hard to put procedures in place, there is still a lot more to be done.

Being alone while working at height, does not automatically mean workers are exposed to new risks that they wouldn’t be in groups. While the employer can mitigate the risks that all workers

are exposed to in a given work environment, the workers themselves have a duty to take care of their own health and safety – as well as of those which may be affected around them.

Managing the risk Before work begins at height, by law, employers need to ensure lone workers are not put at risk by considering several factors. Key legislation that employers need to adhere to include The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, as well as The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

It is down to the employer to assess any potential risks which may occur around manual handling, medical stability, as well as whether the working area itself presents a risk. It is then important for the employer to take steps to remove risks where possible and put control measures in place to carry out the task in hand, safely.

Employers should talk to their lone workers to understand what potential risks they have identified. This discussion should include any previous incidents or near misses, so they can be explored, and causes recognised before any work takes place.

It is important to highlight that each job will present its own unique risks, so this process must include risk assessments for each individual site.

There is also a dynamic aspect to think through when completing a risk assessment as conditions on a site change regularly. For example, surfaces can become slippery due to a change in weather, so external factors need to be a key consideration.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 41

of lone working

Employers should also look at the level of training needed for the lone worker to be able to work at height safely. With this, the level of supervision required should also be considered so that the lone worker meets all requirements for the job in hand and is competent enough to work at height.

Training Training is a crucial part of lone working at height as there is usually very limited supervision. Lone workers should be trained in how to carry out a risk assessment, working at height, rescue at height as well as manual handling. Training is also particularly important to help control uncertain or unexpected situations to implement practical risk avoidance strategies.

What’s more, while other workers may be able to ask more experienced colleagues for support and guidance on a task, lone workers are unable to do so. Extra training may be needed in situations like this so that lone workers fully understand the risks of working at height.

There are training providers out there that will help deliver thorough training to all participants, leaving people feeling engaged with the knowledge and understanding to do their jobs even better. It’s important that employers do their research before taking out any training for their employees so that they can be assured the training is up to scratch.

Monitoring Lone working isn’t a case of getting the right training and carrying out a risk assessment before being left to work completely alone. Keeping the lone worker safe requires more communication which may include scheduled visits or contact with lone worker by phone, radio or email; monitoring the lone workers to check they are following the right working procedures.

Employers should also consider manual/operated warning devices which can be used to trigger an alert if a signal is not received from the lone worker in a certain timeframe.

HCL Safety understands the potential risks associated with lone working and while it may be needed in certain instances, the business does not encourage lone working. HCL Safety always recommends there are at least two workers on site at any given time to ensure the best action is taken should something go wrong.

For more information, visit: www.hclsafety.com

42 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PPE

The Perfect Jacket and Trouser Combination For Winter - From Snickers Workwear Stretch-comfort Work Trousers and Hi-Tech 37.5® Work Jackets for optimum weather-protection on site Snickers Workwear is continually improving its working clothes with superb new stretch Work Trousers and Hi-Tech Jackets.

With great fit and superb value for money, the brand new comfort fabrics woven into Snickers’ newest street-smart Work Trousers deliver enhanced freedom of movement as well as improved comfort and close quarter mobility.

They’re perfectly complimented by the new, Hitech range of AllroundWork and FlexiWork jackets.

They include 37.5® fabric technology garments for superb working comfort as well as others that are 100% waterproof, plus HiVis working clothes for tradesmen and women that deliver maximum warmth, dryness and visibility when you need it most.

These jackets and trousers are the perfect combination - whatever the working environment or weather condition – so check out what’s best for you at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk Getting information on the newest winter workclothes from Snickers Workwear is easy. You can call the Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

BREATHE E SILY BREATHE S FELY FLOW + ULTRA-LOW BREATHING RESISTANCE + MORE COMFORT + LESS HEAT

Protect your workforce with AlphaFLOW™, the new generation of disposable masks from Alpha Solway.

A large, highly efficient valve combats the build-up of heat and moisture to make breathing extremely easy whilst the innovative pre-formed mesh shell design with a large filtering area ensures a secure, comfortable wearing experience.

Breathe easily, breathe safely – protect with the AlphaFLOW™ range.

Request your trial sample

trial.alphasolway.com/flow PROFESSIONAL PROTECTION

E: sales@alphasolway.com • T: +44 (0)1461 380 333 Part of GROUP

44 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PPE INDUSTRY INSIDE

JSP

Established in 1964, JSP® is internationally recognised as the leading manufacturer of innovative ‘above the neck’ Personal Protective Equipment specialising in Head, Eye, Face and Respiratory Protection.

With state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing facilities in 7 factories over 3 continents, JSP® is committed to improving occupational safety, health and well-being of people in the workplace worldwide and has been voted European leader in Industrial Head Protection by Frost and Sullivan. Watch the video » Through large investment into Research and Development and by listening to end-users, JSP® is constantly taking product development to new levels, designing highly innovative award winning PPE which performs to the highest levels even in extreme environments globally.

JSP® appreciates that PPE needs to be comfortable to wear and ensures their products are lightweight, easy to operate, compatible and are more integrated to fit with other PPE. JSP® safety helmets, hearing products, respiratory and eyewear can be customised according to individual specifications using corporate logos and colour schemes, safety messages, personal names and identity systems.

JSP® operates a BSI® Kitemark™ scheme for products, the platinum standard for product quality providing a guarantee that every product that JSP® manufactures is from a batch that has been controlled and tested to ensure it passes the relevant standard. JSP® is the chosen brand for workers as they can be confident that by choosing JSP® PPE they are wearing a Tested, Trusted and Traceable product with full technical backup and support.

The JSP® Hub runs seminars and training sessions to help educate wearers of PPE on the importance of protecting themselves against hazards in the workplace and to show workers the correct usage of PPE and the latest JSP® methodologies designed to help them check they are properly protected.

For help and advice with the selection of your PPE or if you would like to find out more about JSP® please feel free to contact us.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 45

PPE

ENGEL’S ‘GALAXY’ WORKWEAR HAS UNIVERSAL APPEAL ENGEL WORKWEAR, manufacturers of comfortable and practical workwear and personal protective equipment suitable for almost every work situation has the ‘Galaxy’ range amongst its collection which offers a comprehensive selection of smart and functional clothing with the emphasis as much on comfort, style and fit as it is on being protective and hardwearing; the trousers are narrower than normal, the jackets slim-cut and all garments are available in a choice of three colour combinations.

A

lso included are soft-shell and winter jackets, a comfortable fleece cardigan, bib-overall and boiler suit with fabrics made from durable, twoply cotton/polyester yarns; most items feature several spacious pockets and other shared functional details such as concealed buttons and zippers, adjustable jacket cuffs and CORDURA reinforced jacket elbows.

The additional Galaxy ‘Light’ range features a stylish, 210 g/m2 ‘Light’ work jacket (1290-880) which has a longer, pleated back for added freedom of movement and reflectors on both front and back for greater visibility. Available with or without matching trousers (2290-880), each garment incorporates many practical details giving greater comfort, weather protection and quick and easy access to tools and personal accessories; both are made from a 65% polyester/35% cotton mix and are available in all sizes. There’s also a wide choice of Galaxy workwear specifically designed to be both comfortable and stylish for women.

Further details can be found by visiting www.engel.eu/en or contact Gareth Bladen at gbl@f-engel.com or on +44(0) 7759 520034.

46 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PPE

Snickers Workwear Climate Control Underwear Dressing for the cold is like building a house – start with a good foundation.

The Snickers Workwear Baselayer clothing uses high-tech breathable fabrics for ventilation and body moisture transport for consistent warmth and comfort.

The seamless designs are available in 37.5® ventilating technology as well as polyester and merino wool to suit different types of work in a variety of cold weather conditions.

The cutting-edge FLEXIWork and LITEwork designs and fabrics will keep you warm and dry - so you wont get cold, wet and shiver. All the garments are made from quick drying, lightweight fabrics that come with special ventilation features to control and regulate the heat from your body.

All in all, Snickers Workwear Baselayer clothing will give you the kind of warm, dry and fresh working comfort you wouldn’t have thought possible. That’s why Snickers Workwear is the brand of choice for working outside in the winter.

To get the more information on Snickers Workwear Baselayer Clothing, visit the website at www.snickersworkwear.com or call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788.

The Perfect Jacket and Trouser Combination For Winter From Snickers Workwear

Stretch-comfort Work Trousers and Hi-Tech 37.5® Work Jackets for optimum weather-protection on site

Snickers Workwear is continually improving its working clothes with superb new stretch Work Trousers and Hi-Tech Jackets.

These jackets and trousers are the perfect combination - whatever the working environment or weather condition – so check out what’s best for you at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

With great fit and superb value for money, the brand new comfort fabrics woven into Snickers’ newest street-smart Work Trousers deliver enhanced freedom of movement as well as improved comfort and close quarter mobility.

They’re perfectly complimented by the new, Hi-tech range of AllroundWork and FlexiWork jackets.

They include 37.5® fabric technology garments for superb working comfort as well as others that are 100% waterproof, plus Hi-Vis working clothes for tradesmen and women that deliver maximum warmth, dryness and visibility when you need it most.

Getting information on the newest winter workclothes from Snickers Workwear

is easy. You can call the Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or emailinfo@snickersworkwear.co.uk

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 47

PPE

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.

Greifensee, Switzerland—December 1, 2018—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 groundshaking to the weighing world.

However, the goal of this redefinition is to ensure longterm 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.

48 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.

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.

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 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.”

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.

“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

65

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

www.firmanglass.com

Anti-Slip GlASS RAnGE

INTERNAL USE ONLY

10mm DREAM BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 64

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 55

10mm DREAM CLEAR BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 64

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 19

INTERNAL USE ONLY

10mm ELEGANCE BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 61

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 43

10mm ELEGANCE CLEAR BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 61

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 34

• Tested To UK and European Standards • Toughened and Laminated

• Multi Laminated with Vanceva Coloured Interlays 10mm SECRET BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 62

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 51

• Can be processed, Shaped, Drilled as required

10mm TRUST BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 62

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 47

• GLASS FLOORS • BRIDGES • STAIR TREADS • WALK-ON ROOFLIGHTS 10mm COMFORT BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 60

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 44

CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY GLASS THICKNESS

FIRMAN SANDBLAST BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 65

NEW PRODUCTS 2017 NEW

NEW

CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY GLASS THICKNESS

10mm TRAIL BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 65

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 52

FIRMAGRIT BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 71

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 68

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 59

10mm COMFORT SANDBLAST BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 65

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 61

CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY GLASS THICKNESS

AVANT GARDE BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 72

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 61

To find out more visit www.firmanglass.com Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com