FEATURE HEALTH & SAFETY
DISPENSING WITH TRADITION by installing PPE vending machines
Mike Smith, general manager tools and maintenance at ERIKS UK addresses issues surrounding traditional methods of PPE deployment and outlines an innovative solution
Vending machines can be placed by a factory’s entrance or exit to ensure every employee will walk past on their way to work, giving no reason or excuse for the correct PPE equipment not to be used
W
orking within manufacturing can at times be risky. Personal protective
equipment (PPE) plays an important part in almost every application yet ensuring employees not only have immediate access but routinely wear all the equipment can prove to be a difficult challenge for employers. Despite the implementation of automated systems throughout manufacturing many jobs must still be carried out on site and in person. While PPE should only be considered if there is no safer alternative process there are many instances where it must be worn. Whether it’s monitoring or maintaining a fully automated factory to working on an assembly line there are regulations which make it law for all employers to provide appropriate free-of-charge PPE at all times for its staff. While it is difficult to guarantee 100%
employee engagement it is still the employer’s responsibility to take every possible step to improve PPE access and record staff compliance. If an employee is injured at work their company will come under intense scrutiny to determine whether the incident could have been avoided. With potential legal action and hefty compensatory fines at risk, ensuring your PPE policy is as stringent as possible has to be a serious priority for any company operating in potentially dangerous work environments.
12 OCTOBER 2015 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
Traditionally, PPE stores comprise a counter and a storeperson and employees collect their safety equipment as and when they need it. It is often more cost- effective to have one centralised storeroom and operator. Depending on the size of the site it could be located out of the way for many workers, limiting the likelihood of them regularly checking in and either replenishing or updating equipment which may be at risk of fault.
NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION PPE is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution as many applications will require their own range of specialist equipment to keep employees working in the safest environment possible. For example Kevlar gloves may be required by one employee and their safety could be endangered if they accidentally pick up or are given the wrong pair by a storesperson. In large factories it can be difficult to
monitor the quantity of equipment an employee has direct (unauthorised) access to or uses on a regular basis. PPE can prove to be a financial burden on a company if employees replenish equipment which may have been lost, left at home or in the canteen because it may appear easier to go and get a new one. The problem is compounded if the auditing system is poor or even nonexistent as there is little chance of documenting and tackling needless use
of PPE. Given the potential faults of traditional PPE distribution methods it is vital to look for ways which can improve service to employees. A direct alternative to the traditional PPE storeroom is the use of specific vending machines. These are available in different access control methods including employee clock-in cards, dedicated swipe cards or key fobs. Advanced machines can be biometrically controlled through thumbprints or retinal scan. The ability to tailor an individual’s access ensures they can only withdraw PPE which is suitable to their job, avoiding the risk of equipment being used which may not be strong or safe enough for the job. Similarly, electronic access offers a traceable record of how often employees collect their PPE, making it easy to monitor if anyone is using too much equipment or not updating it as regularly as they should. Vending machines can be placed by a factory’s entrance or exit so every employee will walk past on their way to work, giving no reason or excuse for the correct PPE equipment not to be used. Furthermore, the controlled climate conditions within vending machines ensure more delicate items such as replacement respiration filters are stored in a safe environment and avoids the risk of contamination or degradation. Items which may cost more to replace can be programmed to only dispense when authorised by specific personnel. This can keep costs down as it means equipment is only replaced for genuine reasons such as wear and tear rather than because it has been left in another location. Using vending machines for PPE distribution offers tailored access to the right products for specific applications and a detailed log of who took equipment and when. Doing so can prevent excess equipment being used, reducing overall PPE costs and in the case of injuries, provide crucial evidence as to whether or not those involved had access to the right information.
ERIKS T: 01452 522265
www.eriks.co.uk
/ FACTORYEQUIPMENT
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