FEATURE
PPE. It is up to the manufacturer to ensure the product continues to conform to the standards. Currently the UK’s competent authorities for market surveillance of PPE are under increasing pressure due to reduced budgets and this may be exploited by less reputable manufacturers.
TOE CAP FAILURES An example of these failures came to light when Arco performed a number of tests on safety footwear toecaps. Traditionally toe caps were made from steel to ensure toes were not crushed in the event of an accident, but non-metallic materials have entered the marketplace, offering lightweight design and the ability to minimise disruption in security areas and specialist manufacturer where metal detection is required. Some of the non metallic toe caps are made from composite glass fibre and others with injection moulded thermoplastics.
Arco carried out product assurance compression testing on own brand footwear along with a sample of footwear currently available on the market. During the testing, it became apparent that the safety footwear using injection moulded plastic toe caps in their construction, performed significantly worse than the fibreglass composite toe caps during compression testing.
What does this mean for the wearer of the boots? If the foot is compressed, these substandard toes caps would not protect the wearer as intended. The use of a thermoplastic toe caps in safety footwear construction is not immediately evident and purchasers are relying on the CE mark being accurate.
This worrying issue has compelled Arco to assure our customers that we do not allow the use of thermoplastic toe caps in the construction of our own brand products. We have also highlighted the issue to all proprietary footwear brands in the Arco catalogue and have requested they confirm the type of toe cap used within their footwear.
www.tomorrowshs.com SAFEGUARDING AS AN
INDUSTRY As the UK’s leading distributor, we take the issue of safety very seriously and are the only distributor in the UK to have invested in developing a Product Assurance Laboratory for the testing of PPE, in order to help us comply with the obligations laid down by the EU Parliament.
We are also members of the BSiF Registered Safety Suppliers Scheme (RSSS). Companies displaying the scheme’s logo have signed a binding declaration that the safety equipment they offer meets the appropriate standards, fully complies with the PPE regulations and is appropriately CE marked.
KEEPING WORKERS SAFE – NO
ROOM FOR DOUBT Identifying true product compliance is difficult for the user. The responsibility falls to the manufacturer, who may not have the resources in place to ensure regular testing. Anyone who has concerns over the safety of the equipment they are being supplied should follow these steps:
• Ask suppliers for a declaration of conformity that shows original certification for the PPE being purchased.
• Ask suppliers to define their process for sample testing to ensure safety products continue to meet the required standards.
• Ensure suppliers are members of the BSiF Registered Safety Supplier Scheme.
• Ask suppliers to define their process of quality assurance at the manufacturing facility to ensure the products are being manufactured as they were originally certified.
• Always buy from a trusted source.
It is important the health and safety industry works together. Manufacturers, importers and distributors need to have the necessary measures in place to ensure that the products they supply are capable of doing the job they are intended for. Purchasers also need to remain vigilant to safeguard their workers.
www.arco.co.uk 13
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